The legend of fred beckey, an upcoming documentary. Legendary mountain climber fred beckey sits in front of a screen bearing the logo for dirtbag. Dirtbag tells the story of the life and times of legendary american climber fred beckey. Hailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, fred beckey is the original american dirtbagone who abandons societal norms and material comforts in. A man who prioritized upward mobility above all else, the 94 yearold climbing icon passed away on monday in the residence of his partner, megan bond reports outside not only. Both screenings of the film sold out well in advance and was a siff audience favorite. The legend of fred beckey looks back at this singular life, following the nonagenarian climber over the last decade as hes slowed but never stopped doing what he loves most. The legend of fred beckey explores in cinematic rapture the unmatched drive, superhuman achievements and enigmatic genius of this man who set the bar for what is possible in an uncompromized existence.
Friedrich wolfgang beckey 14 january 1923 30 october 2017, known as fred beckey, was an american rock climber, mountaineer and author, who made hundreds of first ascents, more than any other north american climber. Fred beckey is a towering figure whose innumerable first ascents cemented his legacy as one of the greatest climbers of all time. The legend of fred beckey explores in cinematic rapture the unmatched drive, superhuman achievements and enigmatic genius of this man who set the bar for what is possible in an uncompromised existence. Dave oleske is the cofounder of through a childs eyes productions and the director, coproducer, coeditor, and cocinematographer of the upcoming film dirtbag. The upcoming documentary by dave oleske about fred beckey is called dirtbag. Dirtbag filmmaker spent a decade with surly northwest. Learn about sessions, series, and when to use them. Fred beckey is something of a myth, a celebrated dirtbagthink a vagabond ski bum for the mountaineering.
The legend of fred beckey which was released just before freds death. Since the 1940s, beckey has led an obsessive and nomadic quest of first ascents while poetically chronicling the exquisite beauty of nature and mountains in seminal books. Beckeys stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary life on the road, where he left a trail of scorned climbing partners and lost lovers. The legend of fred beckey extended trailer climbing.
The legend of fred beckey see the extended trailer here. Whether it was the northern cascades or alaska, if fred beckey was on your team you knew you had a good shot at the summit. A 94yearold northwest native, fred beckey is the quintessential dirtbag the original in a breed of rebellious, fearless mountain climbers. Official theatrical trailer for the feature documentary dirtbag. Oleske spent the following decade at beckeys side making an extraordinary film about adventure, aging, sacrifice and a truly oneofakind mountain character. Since the 1940s, beckey has led an obsessive and nomadic quest of first ascents while poetically chronicling the exquisite beauty of. The legend of fred beckey official trailer by rock and ice may 9th, 2017. Fred beckey is the original american dirtbag climber whose name evokes mystery, adulation and vitriol. The legend of fred beckey usa by adrian mack on september 27th, 2017 at 11. Two dirtbag screenings announced with the mountaineers in seattle. Beckey, and his livetoclimb lifestyle, was celebrated earlier this year in.
Fred beckey speaks at nw premiere of dirtbag june 2017 cc duration. Fred beckey got his start climbing with the mountaineers in the 1940s, and went on to establish himself as the original dirtbag. This rebel athletes lifetime of accomplishments set. The legend of fred beckey featuring director dave oleske duration. Beckeys stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary life on the road, where he left a long trail of scorned climbing partners and lost lovers in his wake. Hailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, fred beckey is the original american dirtbagone who abandons societal norms and material comforts in pursuit of a nomadic. The camera work is amazing as is the archive footage. To learn more about the film or make a donation, check. Legendary mountain climber fred beckey sits in front of a screen. Beckeys stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary. This rebel climbers pioneering ascents and lifestyle form an iconic legacy that continues to inspire generations. The legend of fred beckey,nectar, seattle, wa, wed june 6, 7.
The legend of fred beckey a feature documentary an eccentric who stopped at nothing to keep climbing, beckey is known to the climbing community as the original dirtbag. The legend of fred beckey and heading out to climb a few local cracks. Dirtbag filmmaker spent a decade with surly northwest climbing legend fred beckey. Fred beckey is affectionately known as the original dirtbag in the climbing world. The legend of fred beckey, a documentary film that has been in the works for the past decade covering the original dirtbag climber. Now playing at the seattle international film festival, dirtbag. Beckey was widely regarded as one of north americas greatest mountaineers, and perhaps the ultimate dirtbag, rejecting conventional security for a life devoted to climbing. We addressed the schedule in our previous update here. We are so proud to showcase the second film from atff regular, seattle auteur, jason reid. Its difficult to live up to such hype, but when we meet the man himself in dave oleskes documentary, dirtbag. The legend of fred beckey, he more than lives up to the billing. Seasons 14 are available to watch on red bull tv and include legends. In this interview, we caught up with dave to learn more about his upcoming film, and his experiences of climbing with fred beckey.
Fred beckey died monday, and no one who knows anything about climbing would argue against his canonization as the patron saint of dirtbag climbers at age 94, beckeys climbing career spanned nearly eight decades, and he put up more first ascents than any. Fred beckey, who spent more than 70 years scaling north americas greatest peaks, died on monday at the age of 94. The epic life story of american mountaineering icon fred beckey, who inspired generations with his record ascents and rebel lifestyle. Hailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, fred beckey is the original american dirtbagone who abandons societal norms and. The legend of fred beckey premiered this past memorial day weekend to a soldout crowd at mountainfilm in telluride, colo. The legend of fred beckey is a fascinating exploration of passion, triumph, failure, commitment, and legacy. He told the sheet, fred was a celebrity, recognized everywhere there are mountains or. Dirtbag documentary confirms seattle mountaineers legacy. Born in germany on january 14, 1923, he emigrated to seattle when he was 2.
The epic life story of american mountaineering icon fred beckey. American climbing nuts will know who this guy is, but the rest of us. Dirtbag portraits 94yearold northwest native fred beckey, the legendary mountain climber known for his rebellious, fearless nature. Fred beckey hitchhiking in south lake tahoealways en route to the next climb. Fred beckey is the legendary american dirtbag mountaineer whose name is spoken in hushed tones around campfires. The legend of fred beckey usa, 2017, dave o leske, 96 hailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, fred beckey is the original american dirtbagone who abandons societal norms and material comforts in pursuit of a nomadic mountaineering lifestyle. In this july 26, 2016, file photo, fred beckey, the legendary mountain climber, visits with guests during a promotional event for dirtbag. The legend of fred beckey, a feature documentary on the most accomplished, mysterious and polarizing figure in the history of mountaineering. We dont need to tell you hes a legend, and were excited to invite you to a kickstarter launch party for the brand new documentary, dirtbag. The scma, keck climbing club, and stronghold climbing gym are excited to host a screening of dirtbag. Release dates 4 also known as aka 2 release dates usa 26 may 2017 mountainfilm telluride, colorado premiere. Director dave oleske spent 10 years shadowing beckey throughout the world as chronicled those tales in dirtbag.
We hope youll join us for a special screenings september 9 or 16. Bernadette mcdonald, founder of the banff centre for mountain culture, observed similar reactions at a screening of the movie dirtbag. I roll over on the couch im sleeping on and answer. Fred beckey is the original american dirtbag climber whose name has evoked mystery, adulation and vitriol since the 1940s. Hailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, fred beckey is the original american dirtbagone who abandons societal norms and material comforts in pursuit of a nomadic mountaineering lifestyle. Beckey, like so many people of great accomplishment, is a. The legend of fred beckey at the banff festival in 2017. The legend of fred beckey screens friday at mountainfilm in aspen at the wheeler opera house. Fred beckey was the original american dirtbag climber whose name evoked mystery, adulation and vitriol since the 1940s. This rebel athletes lifetime of accomplishments set the bar for the entire. Climbing legend tommy caldwell is the focus of this emotional tale, which follows.
To help out nonclimbers, being a dirtbag in climbing parlance is mostly a compliment as is being a millionaire dirtbag which was brilliantly coined at eat the financial elephant the definition of a dirtbag climber is a person with no job and no desire to get one who basically. It shows whats possible when a person gives everything to a pursuit, and what remains after the dust of a lifetime of accomplishments settles. The legend of fred beckey join us for the movie on may 2, 2018 at stargazers theater 10 s parkside dr colorado springs. Normal people dont know his name, but the hardcore speak of him with reverence and awe. Documentary filmmaker and mountaineer dave oleske followed fred around for 12 years for the film, dirtbag. Beckey s stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary life on the road, where he left a long trail of scorned climbing partners and lost lovers in his wake. Fred beckey is something of a myth, a celebrated dirtbagthink a. Fred beckey is the typical american dirtbag climber, whose very name. The legend of fred beckey is dave oleskes documentary of one of the most influential climbers of all time. Mountain life editor feet banks informs me that climbermountaineerwriter fred beckey is in squamish filming for the documentary dirtbag. The legend of fred beckey may 26, 2017 may 26, 2017. Arnold schwarzenegger this speech broke the internet and most inspiring speech it changed my life.
Below is the new 2017 trailer for the film, which is arguably one of the most anticipated climbing films of the decade. Feet knows ive climbed with fred a few times in the past. There were probably more beckey stories being told in that room, that evening, than appeared in the entire film. The legend of fred beckey explores in cinematic rapture the unmatched drive, superhuman achievements and enigmatic genius of this man who set.
The legend of fred beckey, which premieres locally at the seattle international film festival on june 4, documents beckeys extraordinary life in. Hailed as one of the most influential outdoorsmen of all time, fred beckey is the original dirtbagclimber one who abandons societal norms and material comforts in pursuit of a nomadic mountaineering lifestyle. Beckey, known for his tremendous number of classic first ascents and his eccentric personality, continued climbing well into his nineties before passing away late last year. Beckey s stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary. The germanborn climber was the subject of the 2016 documentary dirtbag.