Photo courtesy Krzysztof Wielicki

The Alps

Following Krzysztof Wielicki’s presentation, there will be a special film screening of The Alps.

From the makers of IMAX® Everest, The Alps is a stirring human story that unfolds in the midst of some of nature’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Experience John Harlin III’s personal quest to honour his father’s memory by climbing the North Face of the Eiger, where his father died forty years earlier. This special high-definition screening will be introduced by John Harlin III. 

Friday, November 2, 8:00 p.m.
Eric Harvie Theatre (Live)
Margaret Greenham Theatre (Simulcast)

Krzysztof Wielicki

Polish mountaineer Krzysztof Wielicki's accomplishments place him among the world's greatest mountaineers. In more than three decades of climbing, he has concentrated his efforts on difficult new routes and Himalayan winter climbs.

Wielicki became the fifth person in the world to climb all fourteen 8000 metre peaks and the manner in which he accomplished this astonished the climbing community: almost half of them were solo expeditions and Everest, Lhotse, and Kangchenjunga were first winter ascents. He has since led two Polish winter expeditions including an attempt of K2 via the North Pillar in 2003 and of Nanga Parbat via the Schell Route in 2007.

Born in 1950, Wielicki began climbing at the age of 20 in Poland, moving onto more challenging routes in the Alps and the Himalayas. He was trained and educated as an engineer, however during difficult economic times in Poland he found employment working in Alaska gutting fish, and also in Poland painting chimneys and high-rise buildings. He now runs his own company, Natalex, which manufactures and distributes outdoor equipment.

Wielicki has worked on two films produced for Polish television, and also wrote Crown of the Himalaya. He has received of the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas award. He was a member of the Banff Mountain Film Festival jury in 1997, participated in the 2000 Banff Mountain Summit, and we are thrilled to have him with us on-stage this year at the 2007 Banff Mountain Film Festival.

There is a BIG difference between a winter summit and a winter expedition. To survive 60 days in winter conditions is much different than to stay a few days in the front line of fire, and then run back home.

— Italian mountaineer Simone Moro (the only non-Polish climber to achieve a first ascent on an 8000-metre peak in winter)

The Polish mountaineers approached the mountains with big plans, big ambitions, very tough objectives, and the kind of persistence that has positioned them at the top of the mountaineering community.

— Bernadette McDonald, former director of the Banff Mountain Festivals