When alpinist Simone Moro made his way up the world's tallest mountain, he wasn't ready for the headlines that came out of the trek.
The Italian had successfully climbed Everest four times before. But his fifth attempt last May was the one that caught the world's attention, sending ripples through the climbing community and sparking heated online debates.
It's a tale most climbers know of, Squamish climber Ivan Hughes said.
Caught on tape, the now-infamous confrontation that took place 7,500 metres above sea level is coming to Squamish. It's a part of the eighth annual Reel Rock tour hitting town on Wednesday (Oct. 9).
Packed with exquisite cinematography, world-class climbing and unbelievable storylines, the film tour has Hughes hooked. The show, which features a series of films highlighting the year's top climbing stories, is kind of the Warren Miller of climbing films.
[The Reel Rock tour] has lots of good adrenaline shots, he said.
As the organizer of the Squamish and Vancouver international mountain film festivals, Hughes knows what he's talking about. He's sat though hours of ice climbs, boulder problems and finger-pinching crack climbs. Reel Rock never disappoints, Hughes said.
This year's series features four main movies, highlighting everything from the tensions on Everest to new climbing routes in Antarctica.
It's the best of the best, Hughes said. You don't have to be a climber to enjoy this. The scenes are incredible and the storytelling is amazing.
The event at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub sells out every year, he notes. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the movies start at 8. Tickets cost $18 and can be purchased at www.whattheheck.ca.
As for what happened in Camp 2 on Everest well, we don't want to spoil the documentary. Needless to say, this year Moro, who runs a helicopter operation in Nepal, didn't stand on top of the world.
I will remain in Nepal with my helicopter, and I am sure that I will have to do some rescues, probably of the same persons who were trying to kill me, he told National Geographic.
