Climbing
Check out these 5 facts about the Cerro Torre film
David Lama’s film is out now on Red Bull TV, but could you answer these questions about Cerro Torre?
Climbing Cerro Torre: A Snowball's Chance in Hell
© Corey Rich/Red Bull Content Pool
The Cerro Torre in Patagonia is one of the most iconic, beautiful, but also most difficult peaks to climb in the world.
In 2008 Austrian alpinist David Lama set a bold goal – he wanted to freeclimb the peak’s notorious Compressor Route.
It took him several attempts, but in 2012, he and his partner Peter Ortner completed this alpinistic milestone and summited the 4,000-foot (1,219m) giant with its granite walls and icy top.
In the thrilling documentary Cerro Torre – A Snowball's Chance In Hell you can experience the trip with all its setbacks from up close.
To give you a little more insight, we have five facts you probably didn't know about the movie.
Who played the two mountaineering legends, Maestri and Egger?
Peter and Markus Pucher acted in Cerro Torre
© Cerro Torre
Cesare Maestri and Toni Egger supposedly made the first ascent of the Cerro Torre in January 1959, but Egger died in an ice avalanche during the descent, and all the proof of this feat was gone with him.
In Cerro Torre – A Snowball´s Chance In Hell, this story is re-enacted by David's partner Peter Ortner, who slipped into the role of Egger, and the Austrian mountain guide and ice climber Markus Pucher, who doubled as Maestri.
Pucher also led the project's cameraman, Lincoln Else, on the back side of Cerro Torre to the summit, and thus had a significant influence on the film-making process.
Why is David Lama envious of the film team?
An impressive spot to camp at night
© Cerro Torre
The production of Cerro Torre – A Snowball's Chance In Hell pushed both the climbers and the team of film producers to their limits.
In 2012, Hayden Kennedy and Jason Kruk chopped out the vast majority of Maestri's bolts left along the Compressor Route and the filming team, who wanted to use these bolts to get the perfect angles of David's ascent, had to quickly adapt to this new situation and change plans.
Instead of preceding David in the difficult route, they had to climb up the icy back side of Cerro Torre. They got rewarded with a perfect night under starry skies in their bivouac on top of the mountain.
David has summitted the Cerro twice, but has only spent about 20 minutes on top of this beautiful mountain and therefore envies the team for their night up the 'cumbre'.
What's David's favourite scene in the movie?
1 min
David Lama's favorite scene from Cerro Torre
David Lama's favorite scene from Cerro Torre. Cerro Torre is now on Red Bull TV.
Why did David's climbing partner, Peter Ortner, strip down on the summit?
Naked on the summit
© [unknown]
A little-known secret is that the film’s director, Thomy Dirnhofer, loves to get his picture taken naked after finishing shooting in extraordinary locations.
He’d have loved to add a picture from the summit of Cerro Torre to his collection, but despite all his efforts, he was unable get up there.
Peter Ortner willingly stepped in for him, but in exchange Dirnhofer promised to strip down at the premiere in San Sebastián.
In the end, though, he backed down because the audience of more than 3,500 people was too much for him – and to this day he still owes Peter.
What's happened in David's life since he reached this summit?
9 min
This is what David Lama has been up to
Lama has been busy since climbing Cerro Torre.
If you've watched the movie on Red Bull TV and are looking for some new tunes for your climbing, then we have the right playlist for you. Here are the songs that inspire David during his top performances.
Craving more Cerro Torre? Check out Red Bull TV's Bullet Points –Lama takes you to his backyard and explains the personal challenges he’s overcome since his momentous achievement.
