Experience climbing’s greatest feats of athleticism during the REEL ROCK Film Tour Nov. 2
Get ready to reach new heights and experience climbing’s greatest stories and athletes during the 13th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour screening on Friday, Nov. 2 in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center.
Hosted and sponsored by the Lees-McRae climbing team and HAWK Empire, the evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the film at 7 p.m. The reception will feature several local High Country businesses and organizations including the Carolina Climber’s Coalition, Base Camp BE, and Misty Mountain.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Admission is free for all Lees-McRae students, faculty, and staff. Event sponsor Booneshine Brewing Company will provide two free beers with the purchase of a ticket for attendees over the age of 21.
REEL ROCK 13 is an expansion of last year’s film, which featured just three athletes across three separate mini-films. REEL ROCK 13 will highlight incredible feats of athleticism from 10 different athletes across four new mini-films.
The four films include Age of Ondra, a 25-year-old Czech Republic climber who has set the benchmark for the world’s hardest successful send at 5.15d. Age of Ondra is “a rare and intimate journey with one of the greatest athletes at the peak of his powers,” according to the REEL ROCK website.
Recently added to the 2020 Olympics, Up to Speed follows how the news of the sub-discipline speed climbing has shifted the culture in the climbing community. “Many climbers were shocked to learn that one of three combined events required to compete for a medal is speed climbing,” according to the REEL ROCK website. “REEL ROCK correspondent Zachary Barr looks into this little-known and seldom practiced sub-discipline of the sport, and the role it will play in shaping climbing’s future.”
Queen Maud Land follows six elite athletes as they take on one of the most remote climbing frontiers: the towers of Antarctica. “Queen Maud Land—the name of this icy region—showcases a stunning, rarely visited wilderness, and the suffering and vision needed to climb at the bottom of the world.”
From the Antarctic tundra to the vast landscape of sandstone walls in the Valley of the Moon in Jordan, “two Israelis team up with a local Bedouin guide to establish an 1,800-foot route, eventually recruiting American climber Madaleine Sorkin to help achieve their dream. Valley of the Moon explores the importance of climbing as a way to cross cultural barriers, build friendship and chase adventure in one of the most breathtaking regions on earth.”
In addition to hosting the REEL ROCK Film Tour at the college, the Lees-McRae climbing team has been busy at work climbing the ranks alongside new head coach, Carter Smith. Having most recently served as a climbing guide at Mountain Alliance in Boone, North Carolina, Carter still serves as a climbing guide at the North Carolina Outward Bound School. Beginning this spring, Smith will also teach rock climbing and advanced rock climbing courses within the Outdoor Recreation Management program.
As a newly-designated club sport to the college athletic offerings, the climbing team will now compete in official USA Climbing competitions across the nation.
Learn more about the REEL ROCK Film Tour screening and purchase tickets here.
To watch previews and learn more about the athletes featured in this year’s film, visit the REEL ROCK Film Tour website here.
