Kendal Film Festival
- December 2008
- Hi Steph Simple Living Climb Dogs
Hi Steph.
Just a quick email to congratulate you on your performance at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival on Sunday. It was very inspiring to see a lady who climbs at the very highest levels talk about more than just the technical performance or the ethics of grading.
The video of you soloing pervertical on the the diamond wall was truly amazing. I’ve seen my fair share of climbing vids, and have only ever been moved by a couple at best. Yours was one of them. I really liked the way the video was shot, and i know that it was filmed over a couple of climbs, but there was something soulful about it. It may have been the gradual build up to the climb, with the shots and footage of you making your trek into the base of the climb all on your own that gave it an air of seriousness. The sequences as you made your way towards the crux helped build up the tension, with the distance shots adding to the impression of how big and serious a challenge you had taken on, not just physically but mentally. Despite knowing that you made the climb safely, seeing you climb the crux was excruciating, knowing that one mistake could end it all, and that not only would it mean the end for you but so much hurt and pain for those that would witness you fall.
It really did set off something in my mind, making me think about the consequence of my actions and how despite them giving me such pleasure, the feelings and hurt and regret that they bring about in those that both climb with me and love me. Despite this, listening to your talk after the film helped me realise that despite the high risks that we take, we have the choice to control them or to reject them. Overcome your fear, enjoy the climb and realise that nothing really matters.
Thanks for a great talk (no, an INSPIRING talk!), and i wish you all the best in life and all that you do.
Warm wishes
Adam
PS, my two dogs say hi to Fletchmama
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Check out my latest climbing adventures online
http://adamclimbs.blogspot.com/
rgds
adam
Thank you Adam! I really enjoyed getting to come to Kendal, and especially meeting everyone there, as well as getting to hear Reinhold Messner speak. The absolute highlight, though, I would have to say, was seeing Kendal Castle and those adorable sheep everywhere 🙂
Thanks very much for your thoughts and nice words, and for taking the time to write!
xxSteph
