The Alpinist

Available to watch now through the Birks On-Demand for £5.99

Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old Canadian makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Leclerc's approach is the essence of solo adventure. Nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn’t own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let a film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. Veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (THE DAWN WALL) sets out to make a film about Leclerc but struggles to keep up with his elusive subject. Then, Leclerc embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing. Upon hearing of the under-the-radar climber, veteran filmmaker Pete Mortimer (The Dawn Wall) sets out to try to connect with him. He finds Marc living in a tent in the woods with his girlfriend, Brette Harrington, who’s an elite climber in her own right. Pete learns of Marc’s background and films him on a series of jaw-dropping solo climbs on rock and ice. But to Marc these incredible climbs are just preparation for his true passion: solo expeditions on big, frozen peaks. Blown away by Marc’s natural talent, Pete is more determined than ever to capture him redefining what is possible in the mountains. But Marc is an elusive subject: nomadic and publicity-shy, he lives a simple life with no phone or car, hitchhiking from peak to peak to pursue his pure vision of solo climbing. Marc sees the discipline of alpinism as more than just a sport; it’s a sublime, philosophical path he's been following since he was a young boy. And he's more focused on chasing his climbing dreams than making a film with Pete. As Pete struggles to keep up with Marc and capture his journey on film, Marc’s solo ascents begin to attract attention. Many believe he's the next great climber, while others criticise his approach as recklessly dangerous. With these questions looming, Marc embarks on a solo climb in Patagonia that's more ambitious than anything he's done before. The Alpinist is an intimate documentary of a young visionary who followed the trail of his own passion, despite the heaviest of possible consequences.