Monday, February 18, 2013

In The High Country


Last July, I got an email from Joel Wolpert about filming me on some of the mountains I was running up at the time.  I'd first met Joel in November 2010, when he contacted me about making a short film for Running Times about running in the winter.

Our subsequent actual face-to-face meeting was quite odd.  I was out for a typical jog up Green Mountain when I came upon Joel about halfway up the hill, at the junction of the Saddle Rock and Greenman trails. He was wearing a plaid shirt, a blaze orange trucker's hat, and had a camera tripod slung over one shoulder, which---given the rest of his outfit---from 100 yards out I thought might actually be a rifle.  He introduced himself, though---"I thought I might find you up here"---and after doing some filming with him the next day and seeing the final result, I was impressed with what he could do with just a camera, a tripod, a rented steadi-cam, and his running fitness (even with low-altitude, West Virginia lungs).

So, when he called me up in July, I was happy to work with him again, knowing that he had the vision and ability to produce something beyond the standard mountain porn.  What sets Joel apart---and what I think will be apparent in the final product---is his impressive commitment to the craft. Eventually, Joel was able to russle up some backers---including support from my personal sponsors, Ultimate Direction and New Balance---but before any of that happened, Joel simply packed up his aging Subaru wagon in mid-August and sight unseen drove half-way across the country to meet up with me in Leadville for the 100 mile race.

Post-Leadville 100, we spent virtually every day of the next month together, each of us living out of our respective vehicles as I bounced back and forth between Boulder and the state's high mountain ranges, chasing as many summits and scrambles as I could before the weather turned and I had to fly off to Spain for a race. A family man, Joel committed to my itinerant summer lifestyle of 14er summits, mountain stream baths, Flatiron scrambles, trailhead sleeping, and coffeeshop internet-snaking. Don't worry, it's not as romantic as it might sound to some, but it does let me see a lot of mountaintops.

Lots of people can wield a camera, a few more can work some magic in the editing room.  Not very many possess those skills while also being able to keep up on pre-dawn 14er missions and 5th Class scrambles with a 1000'+ of exposure, clinging ropeless to the rock with one hand and pointing the camera with the other. And then keep it up for a month, also dealing with my at-times obsessive and uncompromising personality. Without getting paid.

Obviously, I have a bias, but I'm excited to see what Joel comes up with this time around.

21 comments:

  1. This looks very cool. Can't wait to see it.

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  2. Awesome look into reshaping the way people look at Ultra Running/Mountaineering!

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  3. Looking forward to the opening! What is the title/artist of the music featuring violin and marimba?

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  4. Oh, Anton. Love how you are listening to your heart and your way of life. You make it okay for others to do so too.

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  5. My maiden name is Krupicka. Not a very common name. Maybe we are related. Your athleticism is amazing. Keep on running!

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  6. Anton, who resoled your running shoes with sticky rubber?

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  7. Cam cam - No. UTMB takes precedent.

    Michael - Rock and Resole here in Boulder. But beware, the two rubbers they have available (5.10 Stealth and Vibram Dot) are hyper-sticky and heavy, not great for running but crazy grip while scrambling.

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  8. Echoing Vivian's sentiment who are the artists for the music in the teaser?

    Can't wait to see this come out!

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  9. Vivian and Timothy - If you go to Joel's Vimeo site and look at the info under the video there will be links to the music in the teaser.

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  10. Anton,

    Who do you recommend for some deep tissue work, I believe you mentioned a guy early in your blog but can't remember where or when but you called him Magic Hands!

    Thanks

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  11. Are you feeling up to running the Tarawa Ultra next month?

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  12. Hey Anton. I really want to see you race Sage Canaday. Are you still going to be racing the Tarawera 100k in March?

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  13. Anton, do you remove your insoles on all your shoes?

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  14. The camera work and angles really bring you into your running -- can't wait to see the whole thing when it's released. I also love anything that involves a look at people's vehicles that keeps them going and act as mobile base camps.

    What a great subject! Run on!

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  15. Very Very good and usable post. Thank's to share your experience with us. I will try to remember these tips in my blog commenting task.

    camera tripods - Inter Foto is Indias Largest Photo Distributor distributing Lowepro, Hoya, Benro, etc

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  16. When does this film come out?

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  17. I missed the showing in Boulder. How can I buy a copy or watch this film. Looks great!!!

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  18. We would love to see the film Anton. Please keep us posted on where to go to watch or purchase. Big fans! Much Love!

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  19. Lots of people can wield a camera, a few more can work some magic in the editing room. Not very many possess those skills while also being able to keep up on pre-dawn 14er missions and 5th Class scrambles with a 1000'+ of exposure, clinging ropeless to the rock with one hand and pointing the camera with the other. And then keep it up for a month, also dealing with my at-times obsessive and uncompromising personality. Without getting paid.
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