Stunning scenery, jaw-dropping feats of climbing, and the impressive spirit of the late Marc-André Leclerc combine to make The Alpinist one of the best adventure documentaries I’ve ever seen.
A local climber raised in Chilliwack, BC, Marc-André climbs with little fanfare – even dodging the calls of the documentarians to chase a “pure” solo climbing experience. But, inevitably, he does allow them to capture some impressive solo climbs, including those in close-to-home locations like Squamish and the Canadian Rockies.
During one spellbinding scene, Marc-André ice-climbs the Emperor Face of Mount Robson – without a rope. Watching him so casually trade his icepick for a handhold, dangling hundreds of feet above the ground, is astonishing when you realize the precariousness of the position he is in. And, the fact that the ice structure he is climbing on could melt and crumble away from him at any moment.
The ultimate feat in the film follows Marc-André as he attempts to solo climb Torre Egger in Patagonia. Trying to slot the climb into a “weather window” during the stormy Winter season, he faces rapidly deteriorating conditions that put his life even more on the line.
I was absolutely captivated by this story, and feel fortunate to have seen a snapshot of this remarkable climber in his element. I highly recommend watching it now on Amazon Prime!
