Every year the BANFF Mountain Film Festival (@BanffMtnFest) selects a set of great films for a world wide tour. One of the stars of the 2014 tour was this winning documentary on the beginning of counter culture climbing in the Yosemite Valley.

Synopsis: In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service. And up on the walls, generation after generation has pushed the limits of climbing, vying amongst each other for supremacy on Yosemite’s cliffs. “Valley Uprising” is the riveting, unforgettable tale of this bold rock climbing tradition in Yosemite National Park: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity — and the laws of the land.

Review: Aside from the visual mastery and breathtaking story telling of this epic climbing piece, this documentary accurately captures a spellbinding tale of early climbing culture. It documents the early life of a non conformist sport and includes all aspects of climbing life from drug use to enduring harassment from park staff. Weaving the story back and forth through the past and present it is a defect primer on climbing for those new to the sport but also has plenty of value for seasoned veterans. Well worth the short money. Find the film on iTunes below or directly from Sender Films