Patagonia: A Partial Ascent of Mantok 0

Climbers Jack Cramer, Grant Kleeves, and Drew Smith set out to climb Mount Russel in Alaska, but conditions diverted them to an unnamed peak 9 miles away. They named it Mantok 0. As they climbed they noticed the temperature rise but they pressed on. Suddenly, a rock tumbled down the face of the slope, striking Grant in the head. Luckily, his helmet broke the blow and he walked away unharmed.

Drew’s film begins with vistas and the vastness of the mountains but quickly turns to frantic POVs as the climbers scramble to check on their friend. When the rock hits, the bottom falls out of the music and gives way to driving bass and an even greater expanse of reverb.

Client: Patagonia

Music: Ned Porter

Video: Drew Smith