ALGonquin Bob
Well-known member
I promised Sherpa John that I'd post a review, so here it is:
Together with a few friends, I had an outdoor-themed film festival at my home Saturday night. After watching “Without a Paddle”, we settled back into our recliners to view the surprise main feature of the evening, John Lacroix’s new documentary called “48”. I was honored to have received the first DVD copy of the movie that Sherpa John sent out to the public (at least that’s what John told me!).
The DVD arrived just the day before, very professionally packaged, just like a movie from the store. Nice. As soon as I got home from work Friday, I watched the first few seconds; just to be sure that everything was working properly. Such an....ticipation! Now at last, I could watch “48” for the first time, along with my wife and friends. At the same time, in Derry, New Hampshire, the Premiere of “48” was taking place. Very cool.
My wife, and her friends who were in attendance, had not yet experienced the thrill of hiking to the summit of a 4K peak. The photos and stories that I’ve shared with them of my own climbs, while completing New York’s Adirondack 46, are only one man’s point of view. Now, I hoped that these ladies would see that I’m not the only crazy one up there doing this. They were about to see what it’s like to hike in the Whites.
When the phrase describing peak-bagging as “almost an obsession” was spoken, I laughed out loud. What do you mean, “almost”! I enjoyed the background information on John and Sarah, as well as the interview with John’s father, Bill; who is not too much older than I am. The history of the AMC, the origins of hiking the White Mountain 48, and the other interviews were all well done.
I very much agreed with and enjoyed some of the terms describing the reasons and feelings associated with climbing a list of 4000 footers. Things like doing it for spiritual reasons, to seek solitude, and to enjoy the trees, clouds and rivers. I have also wanted to just “get away from it all”, and have wondered many times (particularly on solo climbs), “what the Hell am I doing here”!
Comments like “very inspirational”, and “well-paced” were made afterward. I wish Sarah well on her quest for the remaining peaks, if she hasn’t already finished. I admire her for overcoming her personal obstacles while continuing to climb. I hope this film does inspire the ladies in our group, as we will soon begin our own quest to climb New York’s firetower peaks. And who knows, I might get them to do a few NY 4K peaks as well. That’s my review. Congratulations John and Team Sherpa on a mighty fine climbing documentary. It’s time for me to go now, and make some PB& J sandwiches... and, oh yeah: “I have to pee”...
-ALGonquin Bob
Together with a few friends, I had an outdoor-themed film festival at my home Saturday night. After watching “Without a Paddle”, we settled back into our recliners to view the surprise main feature of the evening, John Lacroix’s new documentary called “48”. I was honored to have received the first DVD copy of the movie that Sherpa John sent out to the public (at least that’s what John told me!).
The DVD arrived just the day before, very professionally packaged, just like a movie from the store. Nice. As soon as I got home from work Friday, I watched the first few seconds; just to be sure that everything was working properly. Such an....ticipation! Now at last, I could watch “48” for the first time, along with my wife and friends. At the same time, in Derry, New Hampshire, the Premiere of “48” was taking place. Very cool.
My wife, and her friends who were in attendance, had not yet experienced the thrill of hiking to the summit of a 4K peak. The photos and stories that I’ve shared with them of my own climbs, while completing New York’s Adirondack 46, are only one man’s point of view. Now, I hoped that these ladies would see that I’m not the only crazy one up there doing this. They were about to see what it’s like to hike in the Whites.
When the phrase describing peak-bagging as “almost an obsession” was spoken, I laughed out loud. What do you mean, “almost”! I enjoyed the background information on John and Sarah, as well as the interview with John’s father, Bill; who is not too much older than I am. The history of the AMC, the origins of hiking the White Mountain 48, and the other interviews were all well done.
I very much agreed with and enjoyed some of the terms describing the reasons and feelings associated with climbing a list of 4000 footers. Things like doing it for spiritual reasons, to seek solitude, and to enjoy the trees, clouds and rivers. I have also wanted to just “get away from it all”, and have wondered many times (particularly on solo climbs), “what the Hell am I doing here”!
Comments like “very inspirational”, and “well-paced” were made afterward. I wish Sarah well on her quest for the remaining peaks, if she hasn’t already finished. I admire her for overcoming her personal obstacles while continuing to climb. I hope this film does inspire the ladies in our group, as we will soon begin our own quest to climb New York’s firetower peaks. And who knows, I might get them to do a few NY 4K peaks as well. That’s my review. Congratulations John and Team Sherpa on a mighty fine climbing documentary. It’s time for me to go now, and make some PB& J sandwiches... and, oh yeah: “I have to pee”...
-ALGonquin Bob
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