A Filmmaker’s Epic Journey to the Peak of Meru
Jimmy Chin is a climber, a National Geographic photographer, a filmmaker, and, as described by Vincent J. Musi in his introduction at the National Geographic Photography Seminar in January, a “total badass.”
Just a few weeks ago, Meru, the film that Chin and his wife, Chai Vasarhelyi, co-directed, won the U.S. Audience Documentary Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Their epic documentary chronicles the first ascent of the Shark’s Fin route on Mount Meru in the Indian Himalaya.
We were lucky to hear from Chin at the seminar, just before his film premiered at Sundance. You can listen to his whole talk and see clips from Meru in the video above. It might be 25 minutes long, but it offers a rare glimpse into adventure with the highest stakes, the closest camaraderie, and the most uncharted territory, into a world that is, as Musi says, “located somewhere between the summit of impossibility and the peak of madness.”
*****
Meru will premiere in theaters nationwide this summer. Learn more about the film and the climb on the film’s website and on Facebook.
Get the scoop from Jimmy Chin about making a climbing film that appeals to nonclimbers.
Hear more from Chin about how he pushes himself physically and creatively on Proof.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
Science
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
Travel
- Spend a night at the museum at these 7 spots around the worldSpend a night at the museum at these 7 spots around the world
- How nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer sceneHow nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer scene
- How to plan an epic summer trip to a national parkHow to plan an epic summer trip to a national park
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture