Dances with Clouds
The art of dance is a tough discipline to master even when participants are able to practice and perform their movements with compliant partners in stable environments on dry, consistent surfaces. This film elevates the level of difficulty considerably–to 10,349-ft to be precise–by deliberately imposing extreme conditions upon both athlete and filming equipment. In addition to the aforementioned strength-sapping high-altitude of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, the dance floor consists of steep, avalanche-prone slopes of summits covered with up to 12′ of powder snow. The mountain is so remote that the only access for free-skiing is via helicopter, and conditions are so unpredictable and dangerous that around a dozen backcountry skiers die every year in the U.S. alone participating in the sport–mainly from being crushed in avalanches. More than 50#’s of specialized equipment and clothing is necessary in order to even physically survive the runs, which reach speeds in excess of 40-mph while dodging numerous deadly obstacles such as trees, rocks and cliffs in sub-zero temperatures. One small mistake at any moment (even the helicopter flights are risky, with a crash just this season killing 3 skiers and the pilot) can lead to a catastrophic or fatal injury. The violent physical forces levied against body and equipment during the descents are borderline savage, and completely relentless. Yet what emerges is beautiful and meaningful to an extent that acolytes will eagerly risk their mortal existence to experience a few fleeting moments dancing with the clouds.
Film Credits
Directors
Kyle B Wagstaff
Kyle B. Wagstaff is a professional restoration ecologist and amateur documentary videographer born in the shadow of Utah's majestic Wasatch Range during the same spring Earth Day began. An expert skier, surfer, and naturalist with a keen eye toward aesthetics, Kyle has dedicated his professional and recreational life to studying, exploring, and protecting the great natural features of the western United States. As a lifelong Utopian-anarchist whose heroes range from Tolstoy and Thoreau to Ed Abbey, it is his intention to inspire through his own actions and lifestyle all other humans to joyfully, meaningfully, and peacefully strive for uninhibited freedom. His latest projects seek to highlight the best of the human spirit as we interact with the natural world.
Credits
Kyle B Wagstaff
- Writer
Kyle B Wagstaff
Producer
Specifications
Genré: Documentary, Music Video
Runtime:
16 minutes 7 seconds
Country of Origin:
United States
English