Revelstoke mountaineer Greg Hill will present the world premiere of Two Million Reasons, a 30-minute documentary chronicling his adventures in 2010 when he set a mountaineering record by climbing and skiing two-million vertical feet in a year.
“It takes people through my mind and the journey,” Hill told the Times Review of the narrative documentary. “It’s a story that I devoted a lot of energy into, of course.”
The documentary is based on footage shot by Hill during the year, ranging from volcano ascents in South America to Mount Saint Elias in the Yukon and “a bunch of crazy first ascents that we did.
“I’m just trying to share the passion that drove me to do two million feet, to share that with people, to show people why somebody would obsess about some little number on their watch for an entire year,” Hill said.
Hill turned editing and final interviews over to friend and Revelstoke filmer and editor Frank Desrosiers of FD Productions. “He’s much more emotional than me – much better at making it appealing for people,” Hill said of the partnership.
The Manaslu Disaster
Hill was propelled into national headlines in late September after a devastating avalanche swept down the Himalayan mountain of Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world.
Hill was filming on at speed-ascent expedition at the time and was camped nearby. A decision to locate their camp away from a large cluster of tents proved to be a life saver.
11 climbers died and many more were seriously injured in the avalanche.
Hill and his climbing party joined in rescue efforts. Hill will present a multi-media presentation on the disaster, followed by a question and answer session.
“There’s so much stuff surrounding the avalanche,” Hill said. “For me it’s a great way to work through it and figure out all the lessons learned. I was lucky, there’s no doubt. Those people were unlucky and in those situations you’ve got to step back and take time to see what mistakes I was making and how to not make them again.”
He added: “I definitely have to keep on analysing and figuring it out. “It will be beneficial to me, and hopefully others. Hopefully other people can learn from it.”
Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Doors 7:30, show at 8. Tickets $10 at Skookum Cycle & Ski or at the door.