Peter Jennings Productions (PJP), now “The Documentary Group,” will premier their new film about North American ski alpinism at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this coming 28th of April. Some of you might recall that PJP began working on this feature length ski mountaineering documentary some time ago. They traveled around the country interviewing various figures in North American ski alpinism, including myself. What’s more, they did at least one location skiing shoot with Chris Davenport and also spent some time filming Andrew McLean.
The name of the film is “Steep.”
No one knows if “Steep” will be true to the mountaineering side of backcountry skiing, or if it panders to the grandiose helicopter driven “footie” that pervades most modern skiing cinematography. It’s probably a mix. I do know the film makers made extensive use of my books and online history chronology, so that probably helped keep the focus on alpinism.
A guy from The Documentary Group called and invited me to the premier and subsequent party. He also added that I’d have to pay my own way and that “the other guys coming have sponsors that pay their travel.” Oh well, that Red Bull sponsorship didn’t pan out — guess I’ll have to wait for the DVD.
Come to think of it I don’t own any all black clothing ensembles, so I’d probably get kicked out of the after-party anyway.
If any blog readers can make it to the premier please consider doing a guest review for WildSnow.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
