Along with spending time outdoors, I love watching movies. I will be the first to admit that many of the movies that I enjoy are the prototypical summer blockbusters, but here is a list of 6 "outdoor" movies that I have enjoyed that don't all fall into that "blockbuster" category. They are in no particular order, and I suggest watching all of them!
Nordwand (2008)
Although not 100% historically accurate, this German movie has it all: snow, ice, friendship, hardship, love, loss. It tells the tale of the two German climbers that attempt to be the first to successfully climb the North Face of the Eiger. Just because it isn't in English, don't write this movie off... you'll be in for a spectacular ride with this one!
Touching the Void (2003)
This documentary tells the harrowing tale of the ordeal that two climbers went through while climbing the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. Definitely worth watching if you enjoy a great documentary and an amazing survival story!
So weit die Füße tragen (2001)
Yet another great German movie! Similar to "The Way Back" (see the next entry), this film tells the story of a German prisoner of war escaping from a Russian labor camp in east Siberia and then traveling 14,000 kilometers to try to get home to see his family. Not exactly the same as the two mountaineering movies above, but this story puts all long-distance hikers to shame!
The Way Back (2010)
Similar to the previous movie, this tells the story of escapees from a Siberian gulag traveling 4,000 miles to safety freedom. Unlike in the aforementioned movie whose protagonist walks across Russia to get back to Europe, these travelers wander south towards safety in India. Yet another great movie!
127 Hours (2010)
You probably know the story... and might even remember reading about it in the news when it happend. Telling the tale of a young adventurist who gets trapped while bouldering in Utah, this film will most definitely make you feel the pain and agony that Aaron Ralston went through.
Into the Wild (2007)
Based on the John Krakauer book with the same name, this movie tells the true story of a young man who gets rid of most of his possessions to find "ultimate freedom." I read this book many years ago in high school, and it was is interesting to see it as a movie. Definitely worth watching!
Do you have any outdoor movies that you love? I'd love to hear about your list!
