exploration this idea of using a craft to get out and see places that no one
to get out and see places that no one
to get out and see places that no one else sees
pretty quickly I realized that there was
pretty quickly I realized that there was also this adrenaline component
also this adrenaline component
also this adrenaline component and all of a sudden the tide kind of
and all of a sudden the tide kind of
and all of a sudden the tide kind of switched from exploration to like
switched from exploration to like
switched from exploration to like full-on risk-taking adrenaline
Thank You pleasure and honor to be in
Thank You pleasure and honor to be in Washington DC this place national
Washington DC this place national
Washington DC this place national Geographics been an amazing home for me
Geographics been an amazing home for me
Geographics been an amazing home for me now my path into filmmaking was very
now my path into filmmaking was very
now my path into filmmaking was very unconventional I graduated from the
unconventional I graduated from the
unconventional I graduated from the Evergreen State College and very quickly
Evergreen State College and very quickly
Evergreen State College and very quickly was like I’m not going to graduate
was like I’m not going to graduate
was like I’m not going to graduate school I’m going to move to the San Juan
school I’m going to move to the San Juan
school I’m going to move to the San Juan Islands and become a kayak guide but
Islands and become a kayak guide but
Islands and become a kayak guide but this path this decision to get into the
this path this decision to get into the
this path this decision to get into the sport of sea kayaking was really
sport of sea kayaking was really
sport of sea kayaking was really important for me because what it taught
important for me because what it taught
important for me because what it taught me was exploration this idea of using a
me was exploration this idea of using a
me was exploration this idea of using a craft to get out and see places that no
craft to get out and see places that no
craft to get out and see places that no one else sees and it was a great tool
one else sees and it was a great tool
one else sees and it was a great tool because a sea kayak in the Pacific
because a sea kayak in the Pacific
because a sea kayak in the Pacific Northwest gets you out onto the
Northwest gets you out onto the
Northwest gets you out onto the coastline places like the Washington
coastline places like the Washington
coastline places like the Washington coast here where no one goes no one goes
coast here where no one goes no one goes
coast here where no one goes no one goes to these places and it touched me it
to these places and it touched me it
to these places and it touched me it made me feel like okay there’s something
made me feel like okay there’s something
made me feel like okay there’s something here there’s there’s something to this
here there’s there’s something to this
here there’s there’s something to this idea of exploration now pretty quickly I
idea of exploration now pretty quickly I
idea of exploration now pretty quickly I realized that there was also this
realized that there was also this
realized that there was also this adrenaline component and we started
adrenaline component and we started
adrenaline component and we started playing around in rock gardens like you
playing around in rock gardens like you
playing around in rock gardens like you see here and all of a sudden the tide
see here and all of a sudden the tide
see here and all of a sudden the tide kind of switched from exploration to
kind of switched from exploration to
kind of switched from exploration to like full-on risk-taking I was like wow
like full-on risk-taking I was like wow
like full-on risk-taking I was like wow this is this is amazing you know and
this is this is amazing you know and
this is this is amazing you know and running big waterfalls and just pushing
running big waterfalls and just pushing
running big waterfalls and just pushing it but I started realized it wasn’t the
it but I started realized it wasn’t the
it but I started realized it wasn’t the adrenaline that was working for me what
adrenaline that was working for me what
adrenaline that was working for me what it was was this this idea of focusing so
it was was this this idea of focusing so
it was was this this idea of focusing so intently on something to do it well and
intently on something to do it well and
intently on something to do it well and that’s what you have to do when you run
that’s what you have to do when you run
that’s what you have to do when you run a big waterfall like this you have no
a big waterfall like this you have no
a big waterfall like this you have no choice you don’t get distracted you you
choice you don’t get distracted you you
choice you don’t get distracted you you think about your line you concentrate
think about your line you concentrate
think about your line you concentrate and then you execute and that gives you
and then you execute and that gives you
and then you execute and that gives you know that can give you an incredible
know that can give you an incredible
know that can give you an incredible rush aside from the adrenaline and so
rush aside from the adrenaline and so
rush aside from the adrenaline and so this idea of exploration and this idea
this idea of exploration and this idea
this idea of exploration and this idea of focusing it was starting to hone some
of focusing it was starting to hone some
of focusing it was starting to hone some of the key ingredients in being an
of the key ingredients in being an
of the key ingredients in being an adventure filmmaker you know the first
adventure filmmaker you know the first
adventure filmmaker you know the first stuff that I filmed was terrible I
stuff that I filmed was terrible I
stuff that I filmed was terrible I couldn’t really get anyone to watch it
couldn’t really get anyone to watch it
couldn’t really get anyone to watch it but my process was I’m gonna just keep
but my process was I’m gonna just keep
but my process was I’m gonna just keep doing this and I’ll eventually get
doing this and I’ll eventually get
doing this and I’ll eventually get better and I tap
better and I tap
better and I tap back into you my roots of sea kayaking
back into you my roots of sea kayaking
back into you my roots of sea kayaking bought better cameras and started
bought better cameras and started
bought better cameras and started chasing what I knew which was the sport
chasing what I knew which was the sport
chasing what I knew which was the sport of kayaking and really incredible
of kayaking and really incredible
of kayaking and really incredible destinations that no one really goes to
destinations that no one really goes to
destinations that no one really goes to this is Newfoundland
this is Newfoundland
this is Newfoundland we spent a bunch of time up there
we spent a bunch of time up there
we spent a bunch of time up there filming icebergs and the whales and then
filming icebergs and the whales and then
filming icebergs and the whales and then just finding the unique nooks and
just finding the unique nooks and
just finding the unique nooks and crannies where light comes in in special
crannies where light comes in in special
crannies where light comes in in special ways this is a shot from the magdalen
ways this is a shot from the magdalen
ways this is a shot from the magdalen islands and what this did was it slowly
islands and what this did was it slowly
islands and what this did was it slowly started cultivating my skills the camera
started cultivating my skills the camera
started cultivating my skills the camera skills they were getting better and I
skills they were getting better and I
skills they were getting better and I kept thinking okay well what’s next and
kept thinking okay well what’s next and
kept thinking okay well what’s next and pretty quickly I was running out of
pretty quickly I was running out of
pretty quickly I was running out of story ideas so I went okay I got it I
story ideas so I went okay I got it I
story ideas so I went okay I got it I got to start looking for big missions
got to start looking for big missions
got to start looking for big missions and this this came up
and this this came up
and this this came up this is Peru and there was a grant out
this is Peru and there was a grant out
this is Peru and there was a grant out called the vacation to hell and the
called the vacation to hell and the
called the vacation to hell and the winning team was going to go to a place
winning team was going to go to a place
winning team was going to go to a place that was predetermined for them and it
that was predetermined for them and it
that was predetermined for them and it happened to be the Rio alga the last
happened to be the Rio alga the last
happened to be the Rio alga the last remaining unknown tributary to the
remaining unknown tributary to the
remaining unknown tributary to the Amazon the one of the hardest places to
Amazon the one of the hardest places to
Amazon the one of the hardest places to get any information on because all the
get any information on because all the
get any information on because all the topo maps were littered with these big
topo maps were littered with these big
topo maps were littered with these big white blotches said dados insufficient
white blotches said dados insufficient
white blotches said dados insufficient A’s so we couldn’t really tell like well
A’s so we couldn’t really tell like well
A’s so we couldn’t really tell like well are we gonna drop 200 feet a mile 100
are we gonna drop 200 feet a mile 100
are we gonna drop 200 feet a mile 100 feet a mile what’s going on in here we
feet a mile what’s going on in here we
feet a mile what’s going on in here we just dropped in we just sort of went
just dropped in we just sort of went
just dropped in we just sort of went well we’ll figure it out and we got into
well we’ll figure it out and we got into
well we’ll figure it out and we got into this river about 4 days and if you’re
this river about 4 days and if you’re
this river about 4 days and if you’re not a whitewater kayaker this is not
not a whitewater kayaker this is not
not a whitewater kayaker this is not good ok this is not what you look for on
good ok this is not what you look for on
good ok this is not what you look for on a river flooding that’s what the brown
a river flooding that’s what the brown
a river flooding that’s what the brown water is and then just choke boulders
water is and then just choke boulders
water is and then just choke boulders and we’re down in there five days we
and we’re down in there five days we
and we’re down in there five days we want to succeed we’re on a grant there’s
want to succeed we’re on a grant there’s
want to succeed we’re on a grant there’s this pressure to succeed what do you do
this pressure to succeed what do you do
this pressure to succeed what do you do how do you make these decisions and what
how do you make these decisions and what
how do you make these decisions and what what kind of risks do you ultimately
what kind of risks do you ultimately
what kind of risks do you ultimately decide to take and as a team we decided
decide to take and as a team we decided
decide to take and as a team we decided that we were gonna hike out now this is
that we were gonna hike out now this is
that we were gonna hike out now this is one of my all-time favorite photographs
one of my all-time favorite photographs
one of my all-time favorite photographs okay this is what five guys do when
okay this is what five guys do when
okay this is what five guys do when things go bad okay they all look in
things go bad okay they all look in
things go bad okay they all look in completely different directions
completely different directions
completely different directions they do not operate as a team Todd here
they do not operate as a team Todd here
they do not operate as a team Todd here he’s like okay we’re all gonna die I’ve
he’s like okay we’re all gonna die I’ve
he’s like okay we’re all gonna die I’ve picked up a camera Shane I’m not quite
picked up a camera Shane I’m not quite
picked up a camera Shane I’m not quite sure what Shane’s doing
sure what Shane’s doing
sure what Shane’s doing Piro Valentino here he’s our Peruvian
Piro Valentino here he’s our Peruvian
Piro Valentino here he’s our Peruvian guide and sort of leader and Pierrot is
guide and sort of leader and Pierrot is
guide and sort of leader and Pierrot is calling his mom his sister’s dad and in
calling his mom his sister’s dad and in
calling his mom his sister’s dad and in the meantime telling us like I hope you
the meantime telling us like I hope you
the meantime telling us like I hope you guys have really really good insurance
guys have really really good insurance
guys have really really good insurance because the only way out of here is a
because the only way out of here is a
because the only way out of here is a helicopter eventually we found a little
helicopter eventually we found a little
helicopter eventually we found a little bit of a three-way to get ourselves up
bit of a three-way to get ourselves up
bit of a three-way to get ourselves up and to get to this spot took two days
and to get to this spot took two days
and to get to this spot took two days the river valley now is down here many
the river valley now is down here many
the river valley now is down here many many thousand feet and you know I had my
many thousand feet and you know I had my
many thousand feet and you know I had my tail between my legs and so did the rest
tail between my legs and so did the rest
tail between my legs and so did the rest of the team we were barely talking to
of the team we were barely talking to
of the team we were barely talking to each other we went we failed we
each other we went we failed we
each other we went we failed we completely failed and you know it’s just
completely failed and you know it’s just
completely failed and you know it’s just hard not to think about like what would
hard not to think about like what would
hard not to think about like what would you do differently should we have gone
you do differently should we have gone
you do differently should we have gone should we have kept going but it started
should we have kept going but it started
should we have kept going but it started teaching me the basics of you know
teaching me the basics of you know
teaching me the basics of you know making sound decisions in these really
making sound decisions in these really
making sound decisions in these really treacherous environments and then on the
treacherous environments and then on the
treacherous environments and then on the way out it taught me one of the most
way out it taught me one of the most
way out it taught me one of the most amazing things ever with my buddy Shane
amazing things ever with my buddy Shane
amazing things ever with my buddy Shane and Andrew and that was a new scale for
and Andrew and that was a new scale for
and Andrew and that was a new scale for fun we decided that we needed to like
fun we decided that we needed to like
fun we decided that we needed to like classify fun so we came up with this
classify fun so we came up with this
classify fun so we came up with this idea of the three types of fun and type
idea of the three types of fun and type
idea of the three types of fun and type one fun you know it’s like all fun and
one fun you know it’s like all fun and
one fun you know it’s like all fun and games when you plant it you go out and
games when you plant it you go out and
games when you plant it you go out and you do it it’s fun the whole experience
you do it it’s fun the whole experience
you do it it’s fun the whole experience just fun fun fun you talked about it a
just fun fun fun you talked about it a
just fun fun fun you talked about it a week later it was fun okay type 2 fun is
week later it was fun okay type 2 fun is
week later it was fun okay type 2 fun is like you plant it and you’re like this
like you plant it and you’re like this
like you plant it and you’re like this is gonna be great fun is gonna be really
is gonna be great fun is gonna be really
is gonna be great fun is gonna be really cool and then you get out in the field
cool and then you get out in the field
cool and then you get out in the field and it’s like it’s actually pretty epic
and it’s like it’s actually pretty epic
and it’s like it’s actually pretty epic you’re working really hard and you’re
you’re working really hard and you’re
you’re working really hard and you’re kind of looking at each other going like
kind of looking at each other going like
kind of looking at each other going like I don’t this is not fun right now but
I don’t this is not fun right now but
I don’t this is not fun right now but then two weeks later when you’re all
then two weeks later when you’re all
then two weeks later when you’re all hanging out you’re like that was amazing
hanging out you’re like that was amazing
hanging out you’re like that was amazing that was so much fun I’m really glad we
that was so much fun I’m really glad we
that was so much fun I’m really glad we did it
did it
did it but the Rio iocket and the vacation ahel
but the Rio iocket and the vacation ahel
but the Rio iocket and the vacation ahel taught us that there was actually a
taught us that there was actually a
taught us that there was actually a third type of fun and type 3 fun is like
third type of fun and type 3 fun is like
third type of fun and type 3 fun is like it’s fun while you plant it and then
it’s fun while you plant it and then
it’s fun while you plant it and then it’s fully epic while you go and do it
it’s fully epic while you go and do it
it’s fully epic while you go and do it and then actually two weeks later you
and then actually two weeks later you
and then actually two weeks later you kind of don’t even really want to talk
kind of don’t even really want to talk
kind of don’t even really want to talk about
about
about anymore but you were supposed to have
anymore but you were supposed to have
anymore but you were supposed to have fun when you originally set off to do it
fun when you originally set off to do it
fun when you originally set off to do it so you got call it fun from this trip
so you got call it fun from this trip
so you got call it fun from this trip was also cultivating this idea of how do
was also cultivating this idea of how do
was also cultivating this idea of how do you get things that people have never
you get things that people have never
you get things that people have never done before how do you get these iconic
done before how do you get these iconic
done before how do you get these iconic shots or different shots and right away
shots or different shots and right away
shots or different shots and right away I stumbled across this idea of using
I stumbled across this idea of using
I stumbled across this idea of using table cams this is very early on in my
table cams this is very early on in my
table cams this is very early on in my filmmaking and it just kept evolving
filmmaking and it just kept evolving
filmmaking and it just kept evolving we’re like oh if the camera moves you
we’re like oh if the camera moves you
we’re like oh if the camera moves you get these amazing shots and it wasn’t
get these amazing shots and it wasn’t
get these amazing shots and it wasn’t like I was reading a book on this we
like I was reading a book on this we
like I was reading a book on this we were just experiencing at first hand
were just experiencing at first hand
were just experiencing at first hand movement in shots makes them really cool
movement in shots makes them really cool
movement in shots makes them really cool and this is a fundamental in
and this is a fundamental in
and this is a fundamental in cinematography now we built all kinds of
cinematography now we built all kinds of
cinematography now we built all kinds of different rigs and we just were getting
different rigs and we just were getting
different rigs and we just were getting these awesome shots and we were making
these awesome shots and we were making
these awesome shots and we were making images that people like National
images that people like National
images that people like National Geographic we’re taking notice this next
Geographic we’re taking notice this next
Geographic we’re taking notice this next clip shows you some of the stuff we’re
clip shows you some of the stuff we’re
clip shows you some of the stuff we’re achieving from from the cable cam and
achieving from from the cable cam and
achieving from from the cable cam and other types of custom systems to make
other types of custom systems to make
other types of custom systems to make movement
the folks at producing show called
the folks at producing show called NatGeo amazing called me up and said hey
NatGeo amazing called me up and said hey
NatGeo amazing called me up and said hey we we think there’s a project that might
we we think there’s a project that might
we we think there’s a project that might work really well for you we’re doing
work really well for you we’re doing
work really well for you we’re doing this series and we need all these short
this series and we need all these short
this series and we need all these short snippets of like extreme adventure sport
snippets of like extreme adventure sport
snippets of like extreme adventure sport and the next clip we went all out to
and the next clip we went all out to
and the next clip we went all out to impress them and film several short
impress them and film several short
impress them and film several short pieces all adventure related here’s some
pieces all adventure related here’s some
pieces all adventure related here’s some of the highlights from that NatGeo
of the highlights from that NatGeo
of the highlights from that NatGeo amazing series yeah your senses are
amazing series yeah your senses are
amazing series yeah your senses are definitely heightened and your body goes
definitely heightened and your body goes
definitely heightened and your body goes into the spider flight response
the dream that when you’re a child and
the dream that when you’re a child and you look up at a bird and you see it
you look up at a bird and you see it
you look up at a bird and you see it flying and you wonder what it would be
flying and you wonder what it would be
flying and you wonder what it would be like I think it’s the closest we can get
like I think it’s the closest we can get
like I think it’s the closest we can get to feeling that well ice is kind of a
to feeling that well ice is kind of a
to feeling that well ice is kind of a living breathing entity that’s always
living breathing entity that’s always
living breathing entity that’s always changing and growing just never really
changing and growing just never really
changing and growing just never really know speed is definitely why I got
know speed is definitely why I got
know speed is definitely why I got hooked on this boat flying through the
hooked on this boat flying through the
hooked on this boat flying through the woods is just the best view when you’re
woods is just the best view when you’re
woods is just the best view when you’re kayaking in a hard rapid a big rapid
kayaking in a hard rapid a big rapid
kayaking in a hard rapid a big rapid with a lot of moves or even a waterfall
with a lot of moves or even a waterfall
with a lot of moves or even a waterfall there’s a sensation where you’re tuned
there’s a sensation where you’re tuned
there’s a sensation where you’re tuned in so acutely to what’s going on that
in so acutely to what’s going on that
in so acutely to what’s going on that it’s almost like time slows down so we
it’s almost like time slows down so we
it’s almost like time slows down so we came to National Geographic and pitched
came to National Geographic and pitched
came to National Geographic and pitched this idea to expeditions council to go
this idea to expeditions council to go
this idea to expeditions council to go for the first time ever with kayaks to
for the first time ever with kayaks to
for the first time ever with kayaks to Kamchatka and also dovetail it in with
Kamchatka and also dovetail it in with
Kamchatka and also dovetail it in with the fish story of salmon and make a
the fish story of salmon and make a
the fish story of salmon and make a one-hour television show with Zeb Hogan
one-hour television show with Zeb Hogan
one-hour television show with Zeb Hogan for the monster fish series for those of
for the monster fish series for those of
for the monster fish series for those of you guys that don’t know we’re come
you guys that don’t know we’re come
you guys that don’t know we’re come chauka is it’s very far eastern Russia
chauka is it’s very far eastern Russia
chauka is it’s very far eastern Russia and there’s no supplies nothing so
and there’s no supplies nothing so
and there’s no supplies nothing so you’ve got to literally take everything
you’ve got to literally take everything
you’ve got to literally take everything you could ever imagine a need to go a
you could ever imagine a need to go a
you could ever imagine a need to go a long long ways across the world and then
long long ways across the world and then
long long ways across the world and then we got dropped off in the middle of
we got dropped off in the middle of
we got dropped off in the middle of nowhere and the helicopter just leaves
nowhere and the helicopter just leaves
nowhere and the helicopter just leaves and disappears and this first river was
and disappears and this first river was
and disappears and this first river was the current sky River which had a major
the current sky River which had a major
the current sky River which had a major volcanic eruption back about ten or
volcanic eruption back about ten or
volcanic eruption back about ten or twelve years ago now and wiped out all
twelve years ago now and wiped out all
twelve years ago now and wiped out all the fish on the river and so we’ve
the fish on the river and so we’ve
the fish on the river and so we’ve landed and we’re just like oh my god
landed and we’re just like oh my god
landed and we’re just like oh my god there’s a volcano erupting in the
there’s a volcano erupting in the
there’s a volcano erupting in the background
background
background and we’re just mesmerized we’re just
and we’re just mesmerized we’re just
and we’re just mesmerized we’re just like wow we where are we now you might
like wow we where are we now you might
like wow we where are we now you might kind of wonder why there’s there’s
kind of wonder why there’s there’s
kind of wonder why there’s there’s infrastructure here well there was at
infrastructure here well there was at
infrastructure here well there was at the time this was you know a huge huge
the time this was you know a huge huge
the time this was you know a huge huge river for salmon and so there was a
river for salmon and so there was a
river for salmon and so there was a research station up there that had been
research station up there that had been
research station up there that had been abandoned and the big reason why we
abandoned and the big reason why we
abandoned and the big reason why we wanted to go back into this river is no
wanted to go back into this river is no
wanted to go back into this river is no one had been in there since you know 10
one had been in there since you know 10
one had been in there since you know 10 years almost a decade before our trip
years almost a decade before our trip
years almost a decade before our trip because there were no fish left there
because there were no fish left there
because there were no fish left there and we wanted to go back to see if there
and we wanted to go back to see if there
and we wanted to go back to see if there were fish starting to come up the river
were fish starting to come up the river
were fish starting to come up the river now we did three trips and the next clip
now we did three trips and the next clip
now we did three trips and the next clip is just some of the moving pictures of
is just some of the moving pictures of
is just some of the moving pictures of what these rivers were like for us he
what these rivers were like for us he
what these rivers were like for us he says it’s good
it’s pretty good-sized bear tracks
it’s pretty good-sized bear tracks somebody was here before we were
hundred fifty Leah what’s out of maybe
hundred fifty Leah what’s out of maybe half a kilo so this was a huge part of
half a kilo so this was a huge part of
half a kilo so this was a huge part of the monster fish show was trying to
the monster fish show was trying to
the monster fish show was trying to figure out why this place is actually
figure out why this place is actually
figure out why this place is actually threatened from the perspective of
threatened from the perspective of
threatened from the perspective of salmon even though there’s not any
salmon even though there’s not any
salmon even though there’s not any infrastructure there and any big
infrastructure there and any big
infrastructure there and any big industrialization and big reason is this
industrialization and big reason is this
industrialization and big reason is this is caviar they poach the salmon out of
is caviar they poach the salmon out of
is caviar they poach the salmon out of these rivers for caviar and it’s crazy
these rivers for caviar and it’s crazy
these rivers for caviar and it’s crazy you know we saw relatively small-scale
you know we saw relatively small-scale
you know we saw relatively small-scale operations for the most part while we
operations for the most part while we
operations for the most part while we were there but we also were on the hunt
were there but we also were on the hunt
were there but we also were on the hunt for bigger scale operations now this
for bigger scale operations now this
for bigger scale operations now this trip was a huge success and when you’re
trip was a huge success and when you’re
trip was a huge success and when you’re successful here they usually keep asking
successful here they usually keep asking
successful here they usually keep asking you what do you want to do next what do
you what do you want to do next what do
you what do you want to do next what do you want to do next and we had this idea
you want to do next and we had this idea
you want to do next and we had this idea of making a film with this guy Dean
of making a film with this guy Dean
of making a film with this guy Dean Potter and he is one of you know the
Potter and he is one of you know the
Potter and he is one of you know the great adventures and flyers and free
great adventures and flyers and free
great adventures and flyers and free solo climbers of of my generation for
solo climbers of of my generation for
solo climbers of of my generation for sure and he had this plan that he wanted
sure and he had this plan that he wanted
sure and he had this plan that he wanted to fly further and faster than anyone
to fly further and faster than anyone
to fly further and faster than anyone had ever done before and he was going to
had ever done before and he was going to
had ever done before and he was going to get there by doing his arts of walking
get there by doing his arts of walking
get there by doing his arts of walking high lines and free solo climbing and
high lines and free solo climbing and
high lines and free solo climbing and then doing an ultimate flight at a place
then doing an ultimate flight at a place
then doing an ultimate flight at a place called Mount Butte and what was next for
called Mount Butte and what was next for
called Mount Butte and what was next for us was a big mission on El Capitan and
us was a big mission on El Capitan and
us was a big mission on El Capitan and the whole goal at the top of El Capitan
the whole goal at the top of El Capitan
the whole goal at the top of El Capitan was to film Dean free soloing without a
was to film Dean free soloing without a
was to film Dean free soloing without a rope free rider which is one of the
rope free rider which is one of the
rope free rider which is one of the harder trad routes and what we were
harder trad routes and what we were
harder trad routes and what we were doing was filming Dean but we were also
doing was filming Dean but we were also
doing was filming Dean but we were also trying to figure out how can we do this
trying to figure out how can we do this
trying to figure out how can we do this in a way that there’s no possible way we
in a way that there’s no possible way we
in a way that there’s no possible way we could knock Dean off the wall because
could knock Dean off the wall because
could knock Dean off the wall because Dean sang to us if one of you guys hits
Dean sang to us if one of you guys hits
Dean sang to us if one of you guys hits me you’ll kill me like yeah if you drop
me you’ll kill me like yeah if you drop
me you’ll kill me like yeah if you drop a lens cap you’ll kill me like yeah okay
a lens cap you’ll kill me like yeah okay
a lens cap you’ll kill me like yeah okay okay so we spent a bunch of time
okay so we spent a bunch of time
okay so we spent a bunch of time planning exactly where we would shoot
planning exactly where we would shoot
planning exactly where we would shoot angles from in this idea that you know
angles from in this idea that you know
angles from in this idea that you know there’s no way that we could possibly
there’s no way that we could possibly
there’s no way that we could possibly knock Dean off but we also want to be
knock Dean off but we also want to be
knock Dean off but we also want to be close to him to get the shot now the
close to him to get the shot now the
close to him to get the shot now the next clip is very rough but I like
next clip is very rough but I like
next clip is very rough but I like that’s what I like about it it gives you
that’s what I like about it it gives you
that’s what I like about it it gives you a very visceral experience of what it’s
a very visceral experience of what it’s
a very visceral experience of what it’s actually like to film someone like Dean
actually like to film someone like Dean
actually like to film someone like Dean doing something like this what it’s like
doing something like this what it’s like
doing something like this what it’s like to deal with him but then also just the
to deal with him but then also just the
to deal with him but then also just the the chaos or kind of a controlled chaos
the chaos or kind of a controlled chaos
the chaos or kind of a controlled chaos that’s going on amongst the the
that’s going on amongst the the
that’s going on amongst the the filmmakers I’m gonna have to go by you
filmmakers I’m gonna have to go by you
filmmakers I’m gonna have to go by you he’ll be able to move
that’s right here I’m gonna mantle by
that’s right here I’m gonna mantle by your feet that’s it no no over here yeah
maybe tired hey Loctite with those
maybe tired hey Loctite with those stainless you got used to long time I
stainless you got used to long time I
stainless you got used to long time I agree thanks fully agree and then on top
agree thanks fully agree and then on top
agree thanks fully agree and then on top of manage I’m the camera gear over on
of manage I’m the camera gear over on
of manage I’m the camera gear over on the wall we’re also managing our ropes
the wall we’re also managing our ropes
the wall we’re also managing our ropes because we’ve got hundreds of feet of
because we’ve got hundreds of feet of
because we’ve got hundreds of feet of rope
rope
rope dude you’re cooking linguine master
hope that rusty cable doesn’t break
hope that rusty cable doesn’t break right now bro huh
the hellcat free solo is hands-down the
the hellcat free solo is hands-down the most intense thing I’ve ever filmed in
most intense thing I’ve ever filmed in
most intense thing I’ve ever filmed in my life by the time Mikey got to the top
my life by the time Mikey got to the top
my life by the time Mikey got to the top he had like you know 400 feet of rope
he had like you know 400 feet of rope
he had like you know 400 feet of rope hanging off another another segment of
hanging off another another segment of
hanging off another another segment of the film done that was a big one this
the film done that was a big one this
the film done that was a big one this one Deen powder soloing free-rider he
trade boardbarn you killed it buddy we
trade boardbarn you killed it buddy we all killed it that was the biggest
all killed it that was the biggest
all killed it that was the biggest mission of my life really to be honest
now it would only actually get more epic
now it would only actually get more epic from there we succeeded
from there we succeeded
from there we succeeded we didn’t knock him off the wall so man
we didn’t knock him off the wall so man
we didn’t knock him off the wall so man we were gonna go to mount Butte to a
we were gonna go to mount Butte to a
we were gonna go to mount Butte to a place called Hamato camp at the base of
place called Hamato camp at the base of
place called Hamato camp at the base of Mount Butte there’s an old logging camp
Mount Butte there’s an old logging camp
Mount Butte there’s an old logging camp that Chuck Bertrille runs and this was a
that Chuck Bertrille runs and this was a
that Chuck Bertrille runs and this was a push off point for us to be able to go
push off point for us to be able to go
push off point for us to be able to go up to mount Butte 9,000 foot granite
up to mount Butte 9,000 foot granite
up to mount Butte 9,000 foot granite monolith that kind of stands on its own
monolith that kind of stands on its own
monolith that kind of stands on its own in British Columbia and the idea was
in British Columbia and the idea was
in British Columbia and the idea was that the guys would free climb the
that the guys would free climb the
that the guys would free climb the mountain and Dean would jump off the top
mountain and Dean would jump off the top
mountain and Dean would jump off the top and the idea was that we would film them
and the idea was that we would film them
and the idea was that we would film them doing this and so we’re basically moving
doing this and so we’re basically moving
doing this and so we’re basically moving up at the same rate that they’re
up at the same rate that they’re
up at the same rate that they’re climbing up but we’ve got all this gear
climbing up but we’ve got all this gear
climbing up but we’ve got all this gear and we’re trying to capture it on this
and we’re trying to capture it on this
and we’re trying to capture it on this next clip just gives you a sense of like
next clip just gives you a sense of like
next clip just gives you a sense of like at times you know they could be moving
at times you know they could be moving
at times you know they could be moving quite quickly through a crack system and
quite quickly through a crack system and
quite quickly through a crack system and you’re thinking okay we got to go we got
you’re thinking okay we got to go we got
you’re thinking okay we got to go we got to move
to move
to move we can’t have ropes in their way we
we can’t have ropes in their way we
we can’t have ropes in their way we can’t impede their process any step of
can’t impede their process any step of
can’t impede their process any step of the way eventually these guys summit it
the way eventually these guys summit it
the way eventually these guys summit it at the top it was actually pretty epic
at the top it was actually pretty epic
at the top it was actually pretty epic and everyone settled in and this was a
and everyone settled in and this was a
and everyone settled in and this was a night that I will never forget because I
night that I will never forget because I
night that I will never forget because I don’t think I slept at all this night
don’t think I slept at all this night
don’t think I slept at all this night because the idea was you know okay the
because the idea was you know okay the
because the idea was you know okay the next morning you know Dean’s potentially
next morning you know Dean’s potentially
next morning you know Dean’s potentially going to jump off the mountain the next
going to jump off the mountain the next
going to jump off the mountain the next clips just a little bit of what it was
clips just a little bit of what it was
clips just a little bit of what it was like now trying to assess that jump
we got a thousand-foot wall to snow
we got a thousand-foot wall to snow ledge and we’re concerned we don’t have
ledge and we’re concerned we don’t have
ledge and we’re concerned we don’t have enough distance to take clear of the
enough distance to take clear of the
enough distance to take clear of the wall we’ll see how the wall dries and
wall we’ll see how the wall dries and
wall we’ll see how the wall dries and the jump is um much more cutting-edge
the jump is um much more cutting-edge
the jump is um much more cutting-edge than anticipated it’s not very far
than anticipated it’s not very far
than anticipated it’s not very far before you hit a big snow snow ledge so
before you hit a big snow snow ledge so
before you hit a big snow snow ledge so you got to get flying quickly have a
you got to get flying quickly have a
you got to get flying quickly have a mountain that’s very steep but not quite
mountain that’s very steep but not quite
mountain that’s very steep but not quite steep enough mm-hmm like I think it’s
steep enough mm-hmm like I think it’s
steep enough mm-hmm like I think it’s the spot but yeah it’s hard to say until
the spot but yeah it’s hard to say until
the spot but yeah it’s hard to say until you say no I was doing it so the end
you say no I was doing it so the end
you say no I was doing it so the end result of this was we went back to
result of this was we went back to
result of this was we went back to Hellmuth go camp because Dean was like
Hellmuth go camp because Dean was like
Hellmuth go camp because Dean was like I’m not jumping off the top of the
I’m not jumping off the top of the
I’m not jumping off the top of the mountain the only way that this could
mountain the only way that this could
mountain the only way that this could work is if somehow I could be extended
work is if somehow I could be extended
work is if somehow I could be extended off off the top of the mountain and so
off off the top of the mountain and so
off off the top of the mountain and so right right away we’re thinking you know
right right away we’re thinking you know
right right away we’re thinking you know okay we’re gonna fail like this is the
okay we’re gonna fail like this is the
okay we’re gonna fail like this is the payoff for the show the show’s over
payoff for the show the show’s over
payoff for the show the show’s over we’re gonna fail you know we’ve got to
we’re gonna fail you know we’ve got to
we’re gonna fail you know we’ve got to have Dean jumping off the top mountain
have Dean jumping off the top mountain
have Dean jumping off the top mountain so we knew back at home Ithaca camp we
so we knew back at home Ithaca camp we
so we knew back at home Ithaca camp we would be able to talk to Chuck and Chuck
would be able to talk to Chuck and Chuck
would be able to talk to Chuck and Chuck has basically every tool that you could
has basically every tool that you could
has basically every tool that you could possibly imagine in the shop from fixing
possibly imagine in the shop from fixing
possibly imagine in the shop from fixing old logging equipment and Chuck Burchell
old logging equipment and Chuck Burchell
old logging equipment and Chuck Burchell and bless his heart just says very
and bless his heart just says very
and bless his heart just says very candidly well why don’t we just build a
candidly well why don’t we just build a
candidly well why don’t we just build a ramp we’re like really you would want to
ramp we’re like really you would want to
ramp we’re like really you would want to help us build a ramp so that Dean can
help us build a ramp so that Dean can
help us build a ramp so that Dean can jump off the top of the mountain and
jump off the top of the mountain and
jump off the top of the mountain and literally chuck was destined to do this
literally chuck was destined to do this
literally chuck was destined to do this he had all the welding equipment he had
he had all the welding equipment he had
he had all the welding equipment he had drill presses everything you could
drill presses everything you could
drill presses everything you could imagine so we built this thing in
imagine so we built this thing in
imagine so we built this thing in Chuck’s shop over two days 40 feet long
Chuck’s shop over two days 40 feet long
Chuck’s shop over two days 40 feet long and everyone I think had very varying
and everyone I think had very varying
and everyone I think had very varying degrees of weather it was kind of work
degrees of weather it was kind of work
degrees of weather it was kind of work or not this next clip to me is just it’s
or not this next clip to me is just it’s
or not this next clip to me is just it’s harrowing because it’s the actually the
harrowing because it’s the actually the
harrowing because it’s the actually the effort and the extreme that we would go
effort and the extreme that we would go
effort and the extreme that we would go through to try to make this project work
through to try to make this project work
through to try to make this project work the last phase was getting it on the
the last phase was getting it on the
the last phase was getting it on the wall which was probably the most
wall which was probably the most
wall which was probably the most complicated
complicated
complicated the way it worked was Matt went down
the way it worked was Matt went down
the way it worked was Matt went down built an anchor on the wall the rest of
built an anchor on the wall the rest of
built an anchor on the wall the rest of the team lowered Matt piece-by-piece
the team lowered Matt piece-by-piece
the team lowered Matt piece-by-piece each one of those section I need and one
each one of those section I need and one
each one of those section I need and one of the other fellows we’re gonna count
of the other fellows we’re gonna count
of the other fellows we’re gonna count walk away from the wall the real crux
walk away from the wall the real crux
walk away from the wall the real crux was actually once that forty feet was
was actually once that forty feet was
was actually once that forty feet was all bolted into place was pushing that
all bolted into place was pushing that
all bolted into place was pushing that ramp out but the reason getting it up
ramp out but the reason getting it up
ramp out but the reason getting it up and over is so hard is that is 400 to
and over is so hard is that is 400 to
and over is so hard is that is 400 to 500 pound scaffold is sitting against
500 pound scaffold is sitting against
500 pound scaffold is sitting against the wall right now if it was vertical we
the wall right now if it was vertical we
the wall right now if it was vertical we just be able to push it and with the
just be able to push it and with the
just be able to push it and with the gravity would take
I mean it was a very involved and
I mean it was a very involved and intricate process I mean it took almost
intricate process I mean it took almost
intricate process I mean it took almost two days to get that ramp into the
two days to get that ramp into the
two days to get that ramp into the mountain I think think after this we
mountain I think think after this we
mountain I think think after this we were in there I think somebody could
were in there I think somebody could
were in there I think somebody could confidently walk out to the end unclip
confidently walk out to the end unclip
confidently walk out to the end unclip and leap off that’s the idea anyway but
and leap off that’s the idea anyway but
and leap off that’s the idea anyway but I definitely was fun there’s no doubt
I definitely was fun there’s no doubt
I definitely was fun there’s no doubt about it
about it
about it craziest freaking day of my life whoo so
craziest freaking day of my life whoo so
craziest freaking day of my life whoo so the flight decks in and I think the kind
the flight decks in and I think the kind
the flight decks in and I think the kind of the rule was that everyone needed to
of the rule was that everyone needed to
of the rule was that everyone needed to kind of go out there like the production
kind of go out there like the production
kind of go out there like the production people needed to take a walk out on the
people needed to take a walk out on the
people needed to take a walk out on the flight deck to try to like you know coax
flight deck to try to like you know coax
flight deck to try to like you know coax Dean into the fact that you know yeah
Dean into the fact that you know yeah
Dean into the fact that you know yeah it’s cool it feels stable out there but
it’s cool it feels stable out there but
it’s cool it feels stable out there but really ultimately at this point we’d
really ultimately at this point we’d
really ultimately at this point we’d done everything we could possibly do and
done everything we could possibly do and
done everything we could possibly do and it would come down to Dean on whether or
it would come down to Dean on whether or
it would come down to Dean on whether or not he would actually jump off the ramp
walking there though even though I had
walking there though even though I had made that decision like like I was
made that decision like like I was
made that decision like like I was having some uncontrollable like bodily
having some uncontrollable like bodily
having some uncontrollable like bodily nerves going on like I felt like burping
nerves going on like I felt like burping
nerves going on like I felt like burping vomit and I’m shaking I usually don’t do
vomit and I’m shaking I usually don’t do
vomit and I’m shaking I usually don’t do those things before I’m getting ready to
those things before I’m getting ready to
those things before I’m getting ready to do any of my art
I’m very tired and I knew that I
I’m very tired and I knew that I wouldn’t fly at maximum I I couldn’t
wouldn’t fly at maximum I I couldn’t
wouldn’t fly at maximum I I couldn’t like after you know climbing that route
like after you know climbing that route
like after you know climbing that route I was exhausted and had been sleeping
I was exhausted and had been sleeping
I was exhausted and had been sleeping very well kind of nerves so all those
very well kind of nerves so all those
very well kind of nerves so all those things made me question question but
things made me question question but
things made me question question but then standing on the ramp I something
then standing on the ramp I something
then standing on the ramp I something just comes over me really and I just
just comes over me really and I just
just comes over me really and I just make up my mind I’m gonna do it and I
make up my mind I’m gonna do it and I
make up my mind I’m gonna do it and I just execute plan or stick with plan
just like that we had just like that we
just like that we had just like that we had a TV show and I’m serious you know
had a TV show and I’m serious you know
had a TV show and I’m serious you know it was they was that this was the payoff
it was they was that this was the payoff
it was they was that this was the payoff for this television show and it’s these
for this television show and it’s these
for this television show and it’s these moments like that that all that hard
moments like that that all that hard
moments like that that all that hard work you know and it happens you know
work you know and it happens you know
work you know and it happens you know that flight that Dean took was three
that flight that Dean took was three
that flight that Dean took was three minutes long but the work that went in
minutes long but the work that went in
minutes long but the work that went in to get that three-minute flight was was
to get that three-minute flight was was
to get that three-minute flight was was days and days and these moments whether
days and days and these moments whether
days and days and these moments whether they’re you know sitting on the top of
they’re you know sitting on the top of
they’re you know sitting on the top of the mountain and taking in the sunset or
the mountain and taking in the sunset or
the mountain and taking in the sunset or capturing that epic epic shot on film
capturing that epic epic shot on film
capturing that epic epic shot on film are often just these like little moments
are often just these like little moments
are often just these like little moments you know inside of all the epicness that
you know inside of all the epicness that
you know inside of all the epicness that we do and you know that’s why it’s fun
we do and you know that’s why it’s fun
we do and you know that’s why it’s fun for me that’s why I do what I do is is
for me that’s why I do what I do is is
for me that’s why I do what I do is is for those little nuggets thanks a lot
for those little nuggets thanks a lot
for those little nuggets thanks a lot you guys
”
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