If you think hanging from a crag with one hand while you hold a camera with the other sounds like the ideal way to spend a day, then you'll want to take in the Squamish Photo Shoot-out on Wednesday (July 18) at the Howe Sound Brew Pub.
The event, part of the Squamish Mountain Festival (SQUMF), features five of the west coast's best climbing photographers showing off their work in a series of multimedia slide presentations.
The inaugural festival, born from a merger of the Climbers' Festival and the Squamish Mountain Film Festival, showcases photography by Squamish's own Dave Humphries and Paul Bride, along with Sandra Studer, originally from Zurich, Switzerland and Vancouver-based Rich Wheater and Jordan Wright.
"With my camera I strive to capture the moments we all live for," said Wright. "Whether it's finally sticking that heinous sloper, pulling the crux of a new project or climbing an endless crack - I hope my images inspire people to get out and climb."Climbers get even more inspiration from the 21 featured films that will be presented from July 13 to 21.
"I'm especially excited that there's such a strong film presence from Squamish," said SQUMF director Ivan Hughes.
The first presentations run tonight (July 13) at the Howe Sound Brew Pub starting at 8 p.m. and features Deadline and Return to Balance, which examines the life of climbing legend Ron Kauk. Kauk and local climbing legend Perry Beckham also will be on hand to give a slideshow presentation, The Past of Squamish and Yosemite.
On Saturday (July 14), four films will be shown at the Eagle Eye beginning at 8 p.m. as part of the festival's Women that Rock night featuring Ines Papert and Josune Bereziartu.
The films include Ascending Rhythm, The Simplicity Factor, Granite Ocean 2, and New Zealand film Conversing with Aotearoa.Monday (July 16) events features First Ascent, which focuses on modern day climbing pioneers, and Wings on your Feet, a Swiss film portraying climbs from around the world, at the Adventure Centre at 8 p.m.
The centre will host two more movies on Tuesday (July 17) with Aisemut and Paving Shangri La at 8 p.m.
The cinematic showcase will continue at the Eagle Eye Theatre Thursday (July 19) at 8 p.m. with a Squamish Locals Night featuring Jeff Mottershead and Kevin McLane.
On Friday July 20, legendary alpinist Will Gadd is at the Eagle Eye Theatre at 7:30 p.m. to present Alpine Climbing Night. And the films wrap up Saturday July 21 with a Big Wall Climbing Night featuring Tommy Caldwell at the Eagle Eye Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
