Exhilarating rock climbing adventure film to be shown in Tri-Cities

“Reel Rock 14” — a collection of the most exhilarating rock-climbing adventure stories of the past year —will be shown in Tri-Cities on Feb. 8.

The Inter-Mountain Alpine Club (IMAC) is offering the one-time showing of the movie that has become one of climbing’s greatest annual traveling sensations.

The film presents a series of three short films, showcasing the climbing ambitions, trials, tribulations and achievements of several dirt bags, a.k.a. rock climbers.

The eye-popping quality of the cinematography captures the intense focus, the personal challenges and the relentless drive to aspire to excellence, tackling some of the most difficult rock climbs that can be found in America.

This year’s film focuses on:

▪ Nina Williams, who is featured free climbing and overcoming elite-level rock climbing problems that are 30, 40, even 50 feet high — with no rope.

▪ Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell, as they seek to recapture the coveted speed record for climbing the 3,000-foot nose of El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park, having been bested by two little-known climbers Brad Gobright and Jim Reynolds. The film documents the challenges and adversity they face and the fears they experience as they confront the risks of climbing in a period beset by accidents that reveal the dire consequences of a mistake.

▪ A Clash of Cultures explores what happened in rural Utah, when a ragged band of punk rock climbers shows up to tackle the world-class bouldering that is in a community of Mormons, cowboys and coal miners. The film explains how the climbers resolved their conflicts with the locals by volunteering in town cleanup projects, showing the town the remarkable profits that could be made when visiting climbers buy whatever they sell, from shoes and outdoor wear to kombucha and probiotics, and then teaching, speaking and sharing their galvanizing achievements globally, to educate people, promote the area and bring recognition to the economic and outdoor recreation benefits.

“Reel Rock 14” is an amazing film experience that highlights the dedication of climbers and provides deep insights into the culture and the nuances of the climbing community.

The movie is 7-9 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Richland High School Auditorium. Doors open and the social starts at 6 p.m.

Tickets available at REI for $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

The social is sponsored by the Tri-City Court Club, REI, The Rock-Climbing Guide, Tapteal Greenway Association and McCurley Integrity Subaru. Proceeds go to the Inter-Mountain Alpine Club.

Mountaineering school

Local climbing experts plan a nine-week school focused on teaching basic mountaineering skills starting March 3 at Columbia Basin College.

Classes are Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. with practical hands-on sessions at the Tr-City Court Club indoor climbing facility on Wednesdays and four Saturdays, with two required Sunday snow practice sessions, and a graduation climb of a Washington or Oregon volcano.

Graduates can then participate in IMAC Mountaineering trips and events.

The course has a few prerequisites and is free for IMAC Members ($10).

For information send an email to imac.climbing@gmail.com or visit http://bit.ly/imacclass.