banff mountain.

the best day of january has already come and gone.

each year, the banff mountain film festival goes on a world tour, and stops in kingston. the moment we get back in january, we get on the look-out for advertisements for this celebration of mountain culture and the spirit of adventure. as a highlight of january, it definitely helps combat the winter blahs! this year, i really missed erin, care and katie who have always been there with me in the past.

as always, the films were ridiculous awesome and inspiring. after the first hour, i was convinced that i should bike from mongolia to india, survive with no nutrients, and make a feature-length film about it. maybe one day. even the opening video gets the adrenaline flowing. you can actually watch it on youtube if you search bmff.

yes to the no: this was the first film and it was made by a group of guys that call themselves the rocky mountain sherpas. they introduced us to the sport of noboarding, which is basically snowboarding without boots. they love it because they are bringing snowboarding back to its roots, forcing a true connection between the rider and the snow. the shots were stunning, particularly this dude noboarding as the snow disintegrated into an avalanche. check them out at www.rockymountainsherpas.com.

first ascent: thailand: rock climbing off the coast of thailand. no ropes. falls broken by the ocean. nuts. but also really cool.

asiemut: this was my favourite of the films. a young french canadian couple, who had never made a film, and never gone on a bike trek, decided to bike 8,000 kilometres from mongolia to india. pushing themselves to their absolute limits, the film chronicles their journey through desert, sandstorm, water, mountain and their memorable encounters with locals. an unpretentious look at the world, as well as the crisis of abundance in society, these two examine their true place and capabilities. why did they decide to embark on this incredible journey? to feel they had a place in the world. and for themselves. a true tearfest. here is their french website, i believe english is to come: www.asiemut.mine.nu.

epicocity: thrill-seeking paddlers. i wish i had the guts. www.epicocity.com.

didier versus the cobra: the title character was this hilarious swiss dude who made it is mission to make the first ascent up the cobra crack in BC. the video chronicled his journey, his challenges, and his random trip to australia to follow his girlfriend. this film was worth it just to get to know didier.

the thrill seekers: when given 48 hours (1 day to film, 1 day to edit), this is what two british guys came up with. certainly gave the audience a good laugh! www.nakedsledge.co.uk.

kids who rip: a film about kids who are WAY cooler than i wil ever be. six year old skateboarders, tween bleach-blonde surfers, eight year old skiiers and snowboarders. fearless and frighteningly good - they must have brave parents (or crazy parents?) www.kidswhorip.com

ride of the mergansers: another highlight. an up-close look at merganser ducks like you have never seen them before. just after they have hatched, they must take a giant leap from their nests high in the trees to meet their mother below. these are some stellar falls, let me tell you. www.rideofthemergansers.com.

best of jo: a short film submited by the youngest filmaker ever at the banff mountain film festival. he claims that he would one day like to film *real* humans and maybe even make money doing it.

that's it.
i can't believe i have to wait another year to see more!