The Gimp Monkeys
Synopsis: “We are climbers first, disabled second,” says Arc’teryx athlete Craig DeMartino. “If you’re a climber, you want to climb El Cap. We’re not going to raise awareness. We’re not going for the cause of disabled people or to show people anything. We’re just going to climb, because it’s one of the raddest places to climb.”
The Gimp Monkeys follows DeMartino, Jarem Frye and Pete Davis’ successful ascent of Zodiac, an 1,800-foot route on the Southeast Face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. With four legs, five arms and three heads, they tackled the towering expanse of granite. The Gimp Monkeys follows the trio’s monumental, all-disabled ascent of the wall and examines where passion, tenacity, perspective and toughness can lead. Because, as Davis says, “The right attitude and one arm will beat the wrong attitude and two arms every time.”
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Starring
Jarem Frye
Pete Davis
Directed by
Mikey Schaefer
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Director's Statement
We were honored to have The Gimp Monkeys selected to play at dozens of film festivals all over the world, and included as part of The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2012/2013. The feat of Craig, Jarem and Pete was newsworthy in itself, and we loved helping to spotlight their achievement.
The Gimp Monkeys was part of a series of short films we created for Arc’teryx. In the outdoor community, it’s said that there are three types of fun. It’s always intrigued us how this explanation sums up our relationships with outdoor passions. It concisely conveys the laughter, awe, inspiration and struggle that we seek and experience. These short films feature cinematic eye‐candy as well as the deeper storytelling roots that we are known for.
Director's Bio
Fitz Cahall has worked in digital media and film since he made the leap from print in 2006. He owns Duct Tape Then Beer with his partner and wife Becca Cahall. He hosts the popular outdoor radio show and podcast, The Dirtbag Diaries, and has earned awards for his filmmaking. He’s been an avid climber for 17 years.
Official selection
Banff Mountain Film Festival - Canada - 2012
Wild and Scenic Film Festival - United States - 20121c1
Press
Adventure Journal - The Story Behind the First All-Disabled Ascent of El Cap - Brendan Leonard, 10/24/2012