Programme - Saturday 20 October 2018 - Evening

Only they see those lines on sheer rock, only in their heads do certain traces exist. Swiss mountaineers Stephan Siegrist and Thomas Huber have often demonstrated their intuitive talents. In 2017 they achieve another masterpiece, together with Julian Zanker, at the pristine granite peak of Cerro Kishtwar, succeeding with a first ascent of its icy big wall. They call the route “Har-Har-Mahadev”, which translates roughly through Bavarian as “Pull yourself together!”.

Thomas Huber screens his film about this daring venture for the first time at the Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival.

In June 2014 cave explorer Johann Westhauser is badly injured by a rock fall. He lies lifelessly a thousand metres below ground inside Riesending, Germany’s biggest cave system, in Untersberg near Salzburg. It seems impossible to rescue him from the dark. But an international rescue teams succeeds in bringing two medics to the severely injured man and to return him to daylight during a complex multi-day operation.

While making hay at the steep flanks of Mt. Rophaien, 62-year-old Axiger Sepp plunges 300 m (984 ft) down to his death. The father of six was an experienced wild hay maker and well familiar with the risks of retrieving grass from often near-vertical mountain flanks. Nowadays, his youngest daughter Julia keeps the mountain farm going. Just like him, she will need to clamber up to the “Wildi” slopes to obtain enough fodder for her animals.

Over three decades, the Huber Boys have become an actual brand, not only in the outdoor community, but also as climbers, mountaineers and as brothers. Since their youngest days, Thomas and Alexander have been embodying a seemingly perfect rope team. It does not surprise that between such different characters with their respective egos, sparks can fly. They live through highs and lows, falls and triumphs. In 2017 the Huber Boys together turned 100 years old. A good moment for an interim balance.

Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger are a rope team with ambitious goals and an age difference of 18 years. A passionate winter mountaineer, Simone already has a track record of many achievements. So far, responsibilities were clearly divided: Simone as master and Tamara as his student. However, when they undertake the world’s highest eightthousander traverse at Mt. Kanchenjunga, circumstances force the routined duo to abruptly switch roles.

It is the 3rd of September 2017. Czech professional climber Adam Ondra is currently one of the world’s best. Inside the spectacular Hanshelleren Cave in Norway, he aims to write climbing history on this very afternoon. His objective is to open the first route at a 5.15d level of difficulty. Later on, he will name the world’s new hardest line “Silence”.

We’ve all been that kid in the back of their parents’ car, wishing dearly to be somewhere completely different. Dreams grow wings and during a drive through the snow-laden cities of British Columbia they actually come to life: Isn’t that Tom Wallisch beside the car, one of the world’s best free skiers, jumping across rooftops and sliding down railings?

The Sherpas, a strong, religious people, live at the foot of Mt. Everest. Although countless people visit the region, most Sherpas remain poor and uneducated. Apa Sherpa is a child of the Khumbu and has already summited 21 times on Mt. Everest. Since he was twelve years old, he has been working as a high altitude carrier and has often risked his life. With the help of a foundation he now wishes to enable a better future for his people, because he knows: “Without education, we don’t stand a chance.”

With breathtaking images and strong testimonials this documentary comprehensively renders the mountains’ fascination on the silver screen. It shows their powerful impact on our life and our dreams. The film was created thanks to a unique cinematic and musical collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra and award-winning film maker Jennifer Peedom.

Marcel and Andrezj are very different characters. Marcel likes to hog the limelight, while Andrezj always caters the support act. Yet, together, they form a strong team and were the first to storm the highest peaks of their animated world. Presently, the two likeable cartoon heroes face their greatest challenge, and their path is riddled with obstacles. Even worse, Andrezj is fed up with his existence in Marcel’s shadow.

In 1909 Austrian climber Florian Frederick Graf von Liechtenstein leaves his estate near Innsbruck. He travels to Corsica to go climbing – and disappears without a trace. 90 years later, the Count’s grandson Otto commissions two film makers to help him clear up the mysterious disappearance. They uncover much more than expected, particularly regarding the true history of alpinism.

Olé! Sun, beach, siesta – these spring to mind when we think of Spain. How about an archaic mountain landscape with snowy flanks and proud peaks? The Aiguestortes National Park is located on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Whoever takes off on a ski tour around here will barely find any information. Surprises are a quintessential part of this mountain wilderness as well as interesting encounters.

Six friends take off to climb the Lorax Route in Tasmania’s remote West. The adventure’s zenith is a BASE jump from the peak, at least according to plan. Surrounded by pristine wilderness, the team faces extreme weather conditions and a path through challenging, rugged terrain. But they trust their own abilities – and never lose their sense of humour.

He has perfected solo climbing like nobody else. His free solo climb of “Path through the Fish” on Mt. Marmolada made Hansjörg Auer famous. According to him, however, the most difficult part is not the ascent, but the return home. It’s only then that he realises how crucially important it is to have a relationship. A powerful and clever insight into an unusual life.

Steph Davis has opted for climbing. In her early twenties she dropped out of law school, let go of a career as a solicitor and lived in her car instead for a few years. After major climbing achievements and expeditions she discovered BASE jumping. Even if fate often pushed her towards her limits, even though she lost her husband during a BASE jump, she regrets nothing, but continues to live her dream.

Together with his brother Alexander, Thomas Huber has managed to turn his mountaineering passion into a profession. Despite lasting athletic success, the love for his children and a happy marriage he is burdened by the pressure to juggle it all. To find release, the older Huber boy among all possible hobbies picks one that is even more dangerous than climbing: BASE jumping.