I stayed in last night after my run, and got a phone call to switch to channel four, now if you missed this programme then register on channel four on demand and see if you can get hold of it. The gripping documentary captures a snapshot of climbing and slacklining legend Dean Potter, as he tries to break the barriers of mental and physical exertion of highline walking, with a twist.
No safety rope, no pole, no second chances and seemingly no limits. Having slacklined a fair amount at low level I was intrigued by this documentary, having met the legend a few years ago in Yosemite when hanging out with Leo, I knew that this charismatic man had a determination and focus that was unbelievable. When I was going out for a days cragging, maybe climbing a 8 pitch route, and return satisfied, Dean was climbing the Nose of El Cap in a fraction of the time.
However the documentary focused on Dean turbulent personal life, and the slacklining. For me it was great to see a few familiar face like Chongo and Dean, whilst at the same time giving a brief history of slackline walking and the sub art of the highline.
Now many people will have dabbled in slacklining, however having once tried a line set 40ft above a quarry pool, with a safety leash, I can say that putting the line at height makes it a totally different proposition. I can walk a low line back and fourth fairly easily, however my best effort was 7 steps on the highline before I took the tumble.
In this documentary we see Dean walking a 22oft line 3000ft up, failure is certain death. I was expecting a flawless walk of a master, but even Dean succumbs to the anxiety of the situation. ‘Fighting thousands of year of Evolution’, Dean seems at first to sketch his way along the high line. Each twitch could be his last. I was speechless, as were the two friends watching it with me.
He is of course successful, however the journey and the depth of which Dean allowed the film crew to enter his personal life, make this a truly masterful piece of film-making. Between the lines I saw some of the true reason of why he did it from a psychological perspective of risk taking.
My palm are sweating as I write this. A must see for any extreme sports participator. To me it made Man on Wire which is an equally incredible documentary look like something we did back in the past before the boundaries where pushed to where we are today.