Climbing to the Banff Film Festival

1 February 2025Mr Dan Norman, ODP

On Sunday, January 26, Climbing and Outdoor Pursuits students had an eclectic urban experience centred around outdoor activities. First stop was CRAG X, an indoor climbing gym in downtown Victoria. On arrival, we were met by Brentwood 2020 grad Sarah Richards, who works part-time at the gym while pursuing studies at UVIC and planning her next big outdoor adventure. Sarah delivered the data our current Brentwood students needed to be able to make the most of their afternoon of climbing, as well as how to stay safe in this new (for them) climbing environment. 

After a few hours of pulling on plastic, students took their pumped and tired arms and headed to a local buffet – where some learned that although it may say “all you can eat”, it is sometimes wise to treat it as “all you care to eat”.

Stuffed to the gills, students headed to the Farquhar Theatre at UVIC to enjoy the evening showing of the Best of The Banff Film Festival. This festival celebrates mountain culture and the seven featured films covered musings about shelter, adrenaline odes to mountain biking, skiing and kayaking, reflections on who can and does participate in the outdoors, and a grand showcase of how we can importantly interact with remote and mountain environments. 

A  summary of all of the films is below.

2 Legs is 2 Easy  – a 6-minute film about Steve Karczewski, an extreme outdoor athlete who skis and mountain bikes with only one leg.

A Team Sport – a 15-minute film about ultra-runner Courtney Dauwalter who became the first person ever to win three iconic 100+ mile races back-to-back in one summer. 

Anytime – Utah – an 8-minute tour edit about four trailblazing women as they carve unprecedented lines and push the limits of what’s possible in mountain biking.

For Winter – a 44-minute tour edit about an international team of scientists on a daring expedition to unearth thousands of years of climate data in one record-breaking ice core obtained from the highest mountain in Canada – Mt. Logan.

House of Bliss – a 9-minute film which documents the making of a shelter situated somewhere on the border of reality and imagination. 

Ian – an 8-minute film about a 72-year-old Australian climber whose extraordinary climbing ability defies age stereotypes, showcasing his resilience and challenging societal perceptions.

Ice Waterfalls –  a 35-minute tour edit about professional kayaker Aniol Serrasolses as he ventured to otherworldly Arctic landscapes to paddle on rivers which flow over the ice.

Mr Dan Norman, ODP