Category Archives: Fitness

180° South (2010)

03 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by in Adventure, Documentary, Fitness, Movie Review, South America

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In 1968, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins traveled to Patagonia (Argentina) to mark the third ascent to Mount Fitzroy, considered one of the most technically challenging mountains in the world—they made a movie about their trek and later became well-known environmentalists.  In 2009, Jeff Johnson made the same journey…and 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless is a documentary about his trek.

The documentary weaves together interviews, pictures, and film footage of Chouinard and Tompkins, the first Americans to make the climb, but is focused on Johnson’s journey.  Johnson’s background as a young surfer and climber translates into a keen eye for beautiful imagery, thoughtful commentary, and a courageous effort at a very challenging endeavor.

His journey begins on a sailboat which, of course, leads to the first challenge: shipwrecked.  “The word adventure has just gotten overused.  For me, adventure is when everything goes wrong…that’s when the adventure starts.”

Fortunately for Johnson, he’s shipwrecked on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, a remote island that has intrigued explorers for years: “Coming to Rapa Nui is like going back to the past.  The people have the history in their blood.”  He meets Makohe, a native woman, who joins him for his trek.

It’s a mountaineering challenge at Mount Fitzroy, but the group tackles it with confidence, faith, and, of course, good equipment.

With images of sailing, surfing, and climbing—including breaking waves, exotic fish and animals, and striking landscapes, anyone with a remote interest in adventure sports and travel will find the movie inspiring.  It’s also (what I would call) a “thinking man’s adventure story” as some of the experiences cause Johnson to analyze society and its impact on the environment.

An excellent soundtrack (mostly featuring Ugly Casanova) completes the backdrop of Johnson’s transformative and thought-provoking story:

“I left home six months ago to follow in the footsteps of my heroes—a bit of surfing, some climbing, lots of unspoiled terrain…pretty simple, really.  Well, I got all that.  But along the way, I’ve also realized the connections I never thought much about.  In these four corners of the world I’ve seen encroaching progress and most of this has to do with overconsumption elsewhere.”

Watch 180° South to explore Patagonia, explore sailing, surfing, and climbing…and explore your thoughts on the environment and the way it’s rapidly changing under today’s pressures.

Title: 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Actors: Jeff Johnson, Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins
Directors: Chris Malloy
Release Date: June 8, 2010
10-digit ASIN number: B003DNLLN6

**Photo courtesy of Martin St-Amant – Wikipedia

Preparing for the Olympics: Books & Movies about London and the Olympics

27 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Europe, Fitness, Lists

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I’ve always been a fan of the Olympics—I sported a “Dream Team” t-shirt in 1992, worked for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, and currently live in the home of the United States Olympic Committee…so I’m excited about the start of the Summer 2012 Olympics today in London.

In keeping up with the spirit of this major international event that involves approximately 200 countries, 7 million tickets, and over 3 billion television viewers…let’s celebrate this year’s host city (another one of my favorites) by taking a look at some of the “best” books and movies about the city…and the event that has been bringing together foreign countries for more than 100 years.

Books About London

Where better to look for ideas for books about London than The Guardian, one of the premier British newspapers?  Malcolm Burgess, publisher of the City-Lit section, shares his ideas for “10 of the best books set in London”.  I’m afraid I’ve only read one of the ten books he suggests (Mrs. Dalloway—it is a good one), so my “to-read” list is growing longer…

Movies about London

The Guardian’s film critic, Steve Rose, also created a list of “10 of the best films set in London”…ranging from the 2011 Oscar-darling that goes deep into history The King’s Speech to Shaun of the Dead, a British horror zombie comedy.  This time I’ve seen four of the ten, but that’s still not very good—especially for a city I love!

Books about the Olympics

ESPN’s Jermey Schaap created this list of “Five Best” books about Olympic Gold—books that profile athletes, the social impact of these events, and more.

Movies about the Olympics

Who doesn’t love an inspiring sports movies?  (Not many because they’re really popular!)   Neil Miller, the founder and publisher of Film School Rejects, collected a list of what he believes are “10 Great Films that Capture the Olympic Spirit.”  “Chariots of Fire?”  “Miracle?” “The Jesse Owens Story?”  How do you not be inspired by these movies?

Honorable Mention

Jonathan, founder of a “site for people who love Britan“, created a list of “The Top 11 London Based Movies – Best Movies Set in London” with some fun choices including Notting Hill (yup, I’ve visited that part of town just because of the movie) and Love Actually (one of my favorites).

As you watch the games, what books/movies will be you enjoying to further explore London and this historical event?

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Biography/Memoir, Book Club, Book Review, Fitness, North America, Self-Discovery, Solo

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Oprah’s Book Club ran for 15 years, covered 70 books, and it’s estimated that it helped sell more than 55 million books.  The club ended in 2011 when Oprah ended her show, but a new version was recently launched: Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.  In this version, readers interact with each other, Oprah, and the author in a variety of formats including social media, discussion forums, and webisodes.  It culminates with a TV show on the OWN Network.

The first book for this new book club?  Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed, a memoir that follows the writer’s journey as she hiked over eleven hundred miles through California, Oregon, and Washington.  So, of course, we had to check it out.

The Pacific Crest Trail covers 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada and with high elevations (up to 13,000 above sea level in the Sierra Madres), hazardous weather (snow in the mountains and draught-like heat in the desert), and the commitment it takes to undertake such a challenge, very few “thru-hikers” (hikers who take on a long distance in a single trip) actually make it through the “PCT.”

After watching her mother unexpectedly die and her family seemingly fall apart, 22-year-old Cheryl finds herself lost and empty.  She first turns to sex and then to heroin to attempt to fill the hole in her heart—which doesn’t bode well for her marriage.

So, at 26, divorced, scared, and not quite sure what to do with herself, Cheryl finds herself on the PCT, putting one foot in front of the front of the other, testing herself, taking in the beauty, and learning a lot along the way.

Throughout her journey, Cheryl sees beautiful sights, meets interesting people, eats a lot of canned goods, and discovers her own inner strength.  She describes her struggles along the trail from carrying a heavy pack and wearing boots that are too small to confronting her loneliness and accepting what life has handed her and the choices she’s made.

Her tone is honest and real, yet optimistic and hopeful.  Anyone that has taken on long challenges on their own will identify with her experiences…and anyone that’s interested in the Pacific Crest Trail will gain some valuable insight into what to expect:

Miles weren’t things that blazed dully past. They were long, intimate straggles of weeds and clumps of dirt, blades of grass and flowers that bent in the wind, trees that lumbered and screeched. They were the sound of my breath and my feet hitting the trail one step at a time and the click of my ski pole. The PCT had taught me what a mile was. I was humble before each and every one.

Oprah’s interview with Cheryl will air this coming Sunday, 22 July on OWN’s Super Soul Sunday at 11 a.m. (EST).

A reading guide for Wild is available for book clubs.

Title: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Author: Cheryl Strayed
Publisher: Knopf
Year Published: 2012
ISBN number: 0307592731, 978-0307592736
Formats available: Hardcover, Kindle, Nook, Audio

***Photo by B. Clay Shannon, from The Pacific Crest Trail Association

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