Barry Blanchard

Visually Stunning Movie Podcast The Alpinist 00:00 / 23:22 Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher The Alpinist 93 Minutes, Rated PG-13 Directed by Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen If you were a fan of Free Solo… do we have a movie for you. Marc-Andre Leclerc is a rare bird, even amongst climbers. His climbing technique and ambition are unlike anything the climbing community has encountered before, which makes him an incredible climber. And an extraordinarily difficult documentary subject.

Member Exclusive Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great benefits. Sam Lubicz For sixteen years, I’ve guided Dr. Takeneo “Také” Mihara up mountains, rock routes, and ice climbs. As a senior Japanese ENT surgeon, he only gets two weeks of vacation a year; as a mountain guide and friend, I always want his one climbing week to be a success. Také’s English is stilted and slow, my Japanese nonexistent.

[This story originally appeared in the Full Value section of Alpinist 72, which is now available on some newsstands and in our online store.—Ed.] [Illustration] Andreas Schmidt STREAMERS OF CIRRUS CLOUD picketed the sky like a fence made of bones. I worried that by day's end the dark underbellies of storm clouds might sink onto the summit of Yexyexescen (Mt. Robson).