'Odyssey' A Climbing Road Movie

And so its time for me to take my place on the Hot Aches blog, and reveal this summer’s major film project. We have been quietly planning this for months and keeping it all under out hats! Like Adrian Samarra, who by now is hanging out on a glacier in Alaska, I am very pleased to be guest directing a climbing film for Hot Aches Productions, to be ready for this seasons film festivals.

So, a little about me……

My name is Dom Bush and I am a documentary filmmaker working primarily within the climbing and adventure industries. I have been lucky enough to work alongside Hot Aches on a number of occasions, as well as working freelance under the banner of Land and Sky Media. Recent work includes a 36minute climbing feature, ‘Islands, traditional Tales of Lakeland Climbing’, (watch here) and an award winning short film ‘My Own Hands’ (watch here). With their unrivaled experience in the climbing film industry, I very much look forward to working alongside the Hot Aches team to create this film, not to mention the four talented North Face athletes.

So enough about me, what’s the film?

‘Odyssey’ is a road movie that celebrates the best of British trad climbing, from the clean steep Basalt of Dumbarton Rock to the raging sea cliffs of Gogarth, four world renowned climbers take an exclusive tour round the UK to tick off some of our most fierce and inspiring routes. Cinematic filmmaking, cutting edge traditional climbing and a 7.5 ton converted truck - the Odyssey begins!

                                                                       James Pearson

James needs little introduction. He has been at the cutting edge from a young age and since leaving our fair shores has punched through the 9a sport barrier, whilst returning home frequently to pick off new lines and hard repeats in Pembroke and further afield.

                 

                                                                 Caroline Ciavaldini

Caroline, a world cup competition climber has topped 8c+ and flashed E8. Fresh back from a host of trips abroad and looking to get to grips with British Trad, Caroline looks set for some strong climbing on the ‘Odyssey’ tour.

                                                                     Hansjorg Auer

 

Hansjorg has a hugely impressive climbing CV, which spans hard bouldering, sport climbing up to 8c+ and solo ascents of long alpine routes, most notably ‘The Fish’ on the south face of the Marmolada, certainly one of the most audacious free solos of all time. With little experience of British trad climbing but a bold and confident approach, Hansjorg should be well prepared to tackle some of the UK’s hardest routes.

      

                                                                      Hazel Findlay

In 2011 Hazel became the first woman to climb E9 with her repeat of Dave Birkett’s ‘Once Upon a Time in the South West’. Like many talented UK climbers, Hazel excelled in competition and was British Junior Champion 6 times. Recently Hazel has set her sights on big walls across the globe making (amongst other things) the first female ascent of Golden Gate in Yosemite.  

So we leave on May 12^th with a 10 man team and we are keen to have your input. Where would you recommend we visit? Got an idea for a little known gem or a gruelling super-route? We want to hear from you. Get in touch through the Hot Aches blog or post on the Hot Aches Facebook, and spread the word!

We will be posting updates, photos and behind the scenes action on the Hot Aches Facebook, so keep your eyes peeled for progress! See you on the other side!

Here's a video of the last time Hot Aches filmed Hazel: -