Squamish will be the first community in Canada to witness behind-the-scenes footage from the National Geographic film “The Man Who Can Fly.”
The footage will be shown on July 12 at the Eagle Eye Theatre as part of the five-day annual Squamish Mountain Festival that runs from July 11 to 15.
Festival director Ivan Hughes said it should be one of the more anticipated screenings of the week.
“The film is about a bunch of local Squamish climbers who got involved with Dean Potter on his world record base jump,” he said. “They followed Potter around the world and just got some phenomenal shots of him parachuting, solo climbing, highlining and then making an incredible jump off the face of Mount Bute.”
Hughes said local climbers Christian Begin, Bryan Smith, Jim Martinello, Matt Maddaloni and Damien Kelly all worked together with Potter on the project.
“They made the film for National Geographic and are planning on doing a presentation on the making of the film and will have all kinds of behind-the-scenes footage and then show the film,” he said. “All the guys are from Squamish and it's the first time in Canada this film has been viewed.”
The festival kicks off on July 11 with the Squamish Rocks event. Six presenters will explain why they love coming to Squamish to climb and what makes the town such a desirable place for the sport.
“It'll basically be a bunch of people that have fun in Squamish and explain what are some of the best things about Squamish,” he said. “There will be older climbers and younger climbers and should be a good mix. We always try to get people from various generations so that we can celebrate what's going on today in Squamish but also remember our connection to the past.”
Also taking place on July 11 will be climber Glen Woodsworth's presentation on the first ascent of University Wall in 1965. Woodsworth is scheduled to discuss the climb and also show a short film on what climbers in B.C. were up to in the 1960s.
Sonnie Trotter will be on hand on July 13 to share stories, photos and videos of a recent climb in Utah.
“Sonnie is one of the best-known Canadian climbers out there and that will be a definite highlight,” Hughes said.
Hughes also said two other presentations to look for are Glenn Denny, who will make a presentation about Yosemite in the 1960s and Will Stanhope, who will discuss his climbs in North America and England.
In addition to the films and presentations, the Squamish Mountain Festival will have clinics for everyone from beginner to expert skill level, as well as several free events throughout the five-day run.
For more information on the festival, visit www.squamishmountainfestival.com. The Man Who Can Fly
