A classic film on the history of Yosemite, with terrific interviews with Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Warren Harding, John Long and many others, plus historical footage from all eras of Valley climbing. A landmark film, destined to be a classic, and hard to imagine it being surpassed.
LONGER DESCRIPTION: Narrated by Tom Brokaw, this award-winning rock climbing video is the character-driven story of the art, sport and philosophy of climbing the legendary big walls of Yosemite. Illustrated by spectacular old and new footage shot on those granite walls, the story is told by the climbers. Their ranks include David Brower, Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Jim Bridwell, Lynn Hill, Hans Florine, Dean Potter and many more. They climb with artistry and sheer determination. They hold a strong attachment to the climbing traditions established in the Valley and a deep respect for the climbers that created them and went on to influence climbing and mountaineering worldwide.
Nowhere is the expression of this way of life more pronounced than at Camp 4. Looking east, toward Half Dome, the morning sun reaches Camp 4 before any other campground in the Valley. For the climbers, this dusty, boulder-strewn campground is their mecca, their gathering place...and often their home.
In 1997, the 'flood of the century' wiped out housing and lodging around Yosemite Valley. In 1997, after the 'flood of the century' wiped out housing and lodging around Yosemite Valley, the National Park Service proposed the development of new lodging and employee housing in and around Camp 4. When Camp 4, the home base and true heart of early rebel rock climbing culture, faces possible destruction by the National Park Service, a dream team of veteran alpinists joins forces to save it. The story concludes as the climbers celebrate Camp 4 being named eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
