Metro to Mountain Journal

The past film festivals have shown multiple short films. Valley Uprising was the only film viewed. it was 90 minutes in length.

Valley Uprising is the history of rock climbing in Yosemite Valley.

America's history influenced Yosemite's history.

Yosemite became a home to the beatniks of the 50's and the hippies of the 70's.

As the youth of society revolted, they found refuge and expression as climbers in the Valley.

The Golden Age of Yosemite, the 50's and 60's - covered from John Salathe to Royal Robbins and Warren Harding. The big walls of the Valley were first climbed during this period. Robbins introduced the importance of style to the climbing scene, while Harding hung onto siege tactics and a good sense of humor.

The Free Climbing Age upped the ante of the Golden Age. With the clean climbing revolution, the climbers adept at placing the removable protection were able to free (and aid) climb at harder grades.

Jim Bridwell, John Long, and Billy Westbay climbed the Nose on El Capitan in a day.

Speed climbers were climbing harder routes faster than ever.

Lynn Hill raised the level of climbing even further by being the first person to free climb the Nose. The male climbers were in awe, but soon were chasing similar goals.

Solo climbers such as Dean Potter and Alex Honnald climbed harder and harder routes sans rope. Their actions would be absolutely insane for most climbers but their actions seemed controlled and measured in the film.

Finally, there was the base jumping/climbing combo. The climber would descend the cliff by base jumping (forget rappelling) or even better to use the parachute to protect the climber while they were soloing. If the climber fell, they would activate their parachute - well if they were high enough off of the ground!

Valley Uprising also showed glimpses of lifestyles of the climbers. In reality not all climbers were pot smokers and heavy drinkers, but Camp Four was a free spirited place to camp.

As the Rangers began enforcing the Park regulations, there were conflicts.

Through it all, climbing evolved into a mainstream sport and Yosemite retained it's status as a mecca of the climbing world.

At the end of the movie, Jamie led the raffle as he put excitement in giving away products from the various sponsors.