Ok folks, if you’re in the Western Slope Colorado region, it’s happening. Last evening was good, tonight more comes at 5Point.
5Point entrance last evening. Full house, 750 peeps.
Highlights for me last night was a series of films attempting to describe our motivations and rewards re adventure sports. The run began with Ben Night and Travis Rummel’s take on powder skiing in Hokkaido set to ancient Japanese drum beats . No narration, but setting the theme with the pure visceral joy you could see happening. Then, stories about life and motivation from double amputee Amy Purdy, climber/philosopher/humorist Timmy O’Neill, local prodigy Hayden Kennedy — and world premiere of an introspective about hollow fulfillment and chasing climbs, narrated by none other than alpinist Steve House. More followed. Truly quite a good lineup and worth being there.
Interesting to watch the progression of 5Point over the last five years. The festival always had the goal of telling true stories about the rewards and motivations of adventure sports. Only doing so has been a challenge for the festival organizers becuse most “adventure porn” includes little more than exciting pretty pictures. We’re seeing more and more of the deep stuff, and I believe 5Point has driven at least some of the trend to that. Perhaps the culmination of that is this year (probably tomorrow evening), special guest Tony Alva (one of the most influential skateboarders ever) will present “Pass the Bucket,” a film sharing his spiritual journey in sobriety.
And tonight for those of you who can make it, among a bunch of intriguing films I’m looking forward to is seeing the animated film below on the big screen with incredible sound system. Kinda poignent…
CU at 5Point, if you’re there and see Lisa and I say hi.
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.
