COLD, by Cory Richards is a short mountaineering documentary that won a number of awards at a number of film festivals in 2011-12 (Banff Film Festival, Telluride etc) . Richards was also named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. I found a truncated version of the film on YouTube that captures much of their story and some of the vivid experiences on the mountain that relate to existential and rhetorical questions, physical and mental solitude, loneliness, doubt, respect for the mountain ("be gentle"), humility, suffering, family, and yes, how COLD it really is. I have been caught on the mountain when storms and winds roll in, turning my lips blue, freezing my hands to useless and clumsy appendages, and disorienting my mind and body. These are just a few symptoms that set in when adversity and trials are amplified by the COLD. Richards begins this film with an existential yet pragmatic question that is captured with an expletive. Although I am not a big fan of substituting profanity for articulation, it works in capturing the dyer conditions and his despair. Richards' film is a simple masterpiece of how we experience adversity, how the mind, body & spirit respond to adversity, how we work through existential doubt and anxiety, and how we find the strength to carry on. Enjoy this brief 11 minute film (the original is about 28 minutes long) and offer any responses or impressions.
Click Picture for Film
24 comments:
I got an opportunity to watch this movie twice at two different movie festivals and I didn't like it much. Though the story presented is pretty incredible and so is the expedition itself, I do not like the way the movie is narrated. In relation to our course, I do see the three C's in the movie. The expedition is enriched with Challenge, control and commitment. However, the movie is pretty full of complains. In a way, it starts with a complain, ' "what the F am I doing here?".
I think I didn’t like the movie because most other movies in the festivals were pretty encouraging and full of positive vibes. Whereas, I found this one rather discouraging.
“Go Gently” is a hard concept for me, it sounds nice and meditative, but I tend to have a more aggressive approach. For me I believe it would be more - don’t go forward blindly, engage fully, spare others unnecessary pain, and find joy.
These are the raw notes I took while watching the clip.
Our experiences are shared – the three climbers enduring together, but somehow alone.
There is power in the moment of fear
There is a fixation on joy and comfort
Descent – is half the climb
No more fear = beauty, strength, and doubt.
Hardiness - “Just starting and I am wasted”
Resiliency - Suffering through the pain the altitude and cold, but persevering
Avalanche = agony & joy
My Thoughts –
Throughout this course we have read and watched narratives conditions that required what seemed superhuman capabilities. While the concentration camp internment or wrongful imprisonment are not the same as choosing to put ones self in harms way, each of the people involved experienced many of the same events and contemplations related to surviving, most important was not giving up.
I see hardiness as not giving up and resiliency as maintaining the hardy attitude and enduring the recovery.
While I hope that none of us will find ourselves in survival situations without choice, I believe even knowing what an individual is capable is empowering. I hope to take the learning from our reading and our climb forward in life and “bounce” challenges up against the experiences portrayed in this course to gain a more realistic perspective of just how challenged I really am.
Hopefully this will provide perspective and prevent me from initiating unnecessary stress responses and lead a more balanced life with regards to what can seem like a litany of overwhelming daily stressors that I believe our modern minds blow out of proportion.
First impression: Wow. This was a very impressive 11 minutes of film and reminded me of Touching the Void (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjD6Y_YMxZg ). The question that always comes to my mind is why someone would put themselves in such danger, but it may be a simple as to know you are alive.
Watching the video I caught myself wondering how I would have handled myself on the mountain. Part of me would like to believe I would push through the pain and exhaustion in an effort to perceiver; however, part of me knows I may have simply turned around and given up. I think this was the perfect film to watch the week before our climb of Adams as it is a reminder of the existential potential of our upcoming adventure. It will not be as cold, but for some of us, the summit of Adams may be the hardest thing we have ever done. The interesting thing is that I believe it will be more psychological than physical as our bodies are capable of much more than we think possible, but it is you mind that sets all of your boundaries.
Again, great film.
COLD-I have never been that cold, -46 C. There were a few significant moments though for me in the film, as well as some powerful lessons from the climbers.
Simone's energy and verve in the face of such deteriorating circumstances was amazing. Throughout the entire film you would have to say it would be a struggle not see that man's TEETH, as he was always smiling and laughing. He was COLD, but his first response was always to smile and laugh. Corey, the narrator, actually comments about how much Simone seems to truly love the suffering.
In trying to unpack my understanding of what made Corey's and Simone's experience so different, I arrived at a thought. Corey seemed to be going through his life on the mountain with a scarcity mentality,wishing for and treating each of the "small things" in other places with amazing importance, and regretting his decision at times to be there. Unfortunately, this perspective and focus did not allow him to see the "small things" in his own current circumstances on the mountain that he could cherish.
On the other hand, Simone approached seemingly everything from the abundance viewpoint. He saw and celebrated the amazing amounts of small things that he found in the midst of terrible circumstance. His U2 music, the fact that he only threw up in the morning, and the fact that is only -46 instead of -50 were all reasons to smile. He laughed and smiled through it all. He made the summit and the descent. So did Corey. However, I think Corey may have made the peak but missed the point. Harsh, but in documenting his own feelings he never expressed any joy.
Even in the end, he said "Maybe I am strong, but I don't know. I just don't know." An amazing feat, never done by another American, and yet he still cannot simply enjoy that triumph fully. Sad in many respects, though he had remarkable resilience just to complete such a feat.
I myself hope to find the joy in suffering that Simone had for my life's journey. Smiling and laughing sure make for good life; and great film!
Kyle
I know that this video was meant to be an example of extreme hardiness however all I kept thinking was - what is the point? At what point, does the concept of being hardy become ridiculous - particularly if it's at ones own choosing? The narrator was so negative about his experience. Was the point of the video to elicit sympathy for his suffering? I commend the guy for his accomplishment, however - it seemed a bit shallow to me. There are millions of people in this world who experience REAL - out of their control suffering, yet this man chooses to spend his time and money on creating his own life or death experience. And then chooses to complain about it. Once again - what is the point?
(Sorry for the negative rant on my part. For some reason this video touched a nerve) :)
I had a different take on this video than others. “What the fuck am I doing here?” seems like a perfectly reasonable question to me. Both for him as a mountaineer and as a human. It speaks to the existential question Frankl discusses-what is the meaning of life? I also think watching this video was important to remind us that hardiness requires hardship. We cannot really claim to persevere if we do not face fear, doubt or challenges-physical, emotional or spiritual. I particularly appreciated the focus on the climb being both a group endeavor and an individual experience. None of us know what internal dialogues others will be having when we climb. Neither do we know what each others’ own internal summit will be. Some of us will be very focused on the physical challenge and only summiting will demonstrate hardiness and success. Others may find their own hardiness in overcoming existential questions such as “if I don’t meet others’ expectations have I failed?”
What the frak am I doing here? That's a question I think we all ask ourselves at times. I've posed that question to myself when starting a new job; when getting into trouble; when caught in a moment of realization that I've pushed my limits past a comfort zone. I thoroughly enjoyed Cold, and will be sure to take in the full length piece when more time is to be had. As a narrative of adversity, it hits the mark true (and, the production value is superb, which counts for a lot to a media guy). Very good link, Adrian.
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Jesse
I don't know that I feel the word "Cold" even comes close to describing what I gathered from this short. Obviously the weather is remarkable--I can't even fathom those temperatures. But then again maybe it "cold" does help me come to terms with the depiction of corpses frozen in time...is it "cold" of mother nature to preserve them so, knowing that all we can do is look, the interaction, the depth of feeling, the growth personally, emotionally physically is void? That is cold. And what about the comment our narrator, Cory, makes about his new fiancée, friends and family..."They know this is me, they support me..." I but what does he give back, he gone risking his life as evidenced by the death already entombed on the mountain the relationship with his future wife, friends and family from the mountain's perspective seems a 1-way street with Cory taking and not giving...taking the risk that could ultimately take is life from these people that freely give their support. Is that cold or is that compassionate love for another's dreams.
Maybe it is when we are entirely alone with our fear and our challenge that the real learning starts...I guess I would have like to know what Cory learned.
Just my initial fragmented thoughts...
I thought this movie was pretty interesting. I have no desire to do what they do, so it is hard for me to understand the commitment to do what they are doing. However, I do understand however the commitment to do what you love. While watching this I was reminded of our reading in our High Altitude Leadership book about perseverance. They were consumed by reaching their goal, but they didn't go to the point of risking their lives to do so.
I liked the raw emotion of the video that was shown when they were struggling to reach their goal. I think so often you see videos where people are always smiling through their struggle and it makes people who truly suffer through something feel like something is wrong with them because they can't handle it. It shows that we all have our stretching points in life, it just may take a little more to make us bend than others. The men in this video truly showed some hardy attitudes though by persevering through their struggles to reach their goal.
How many times have you personally asked yourself, "What the F--- am I doing here?" I know that I have asked myself that same question numberous times. Life is unpredictable and dangerous. Just Monday, a local man took his son and three nieces fishing at a local river. The 7 year-old boy wandered into the water and was immediately pulled under by a strong current. His cousin, a 10 year old girl, went in after him and also was pulled under. Both drowned as a result.
A Raleigh Police officer arrived on-scene shortly after receiving the initial 911 call and entered the water where the children were last scene in hopes of saving them. The officer had to be restrained from going back into the water after numerous unsuccessful dives to try and locate the children. He had reached a point of critical fatigue and his safety would have been placed in jeopardy had he ventured into the water one more time. On his Facebook page he writes, "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE".
Sometimes we find ourselves in unwitting places, situations, or dilemmas that force us to question our intentions, motives, and beliefs. In that moment we ask ourselves that critical question, "What the f--- am I doing here?", all the while knowing the answer. I am here because something greater that me wants me here.... In that brief moment of clarity, rest assure there is probably no other place you should be...
When that police officer jumped in the river in hopes of saving those children do you think he would have wanted to be anywhere else at that critical moment? I would venture to say no....
What struck me most about the movie "Cold" was Corey’s flashback to the most comforting feelings that he was missing as he slipped further into dangerous territory. Having been deployed to hazardous areas as a Marine, there have been times were I realized that I took many aspects of my personal life for granted. Safety, security, and knowing where my next meal is coming from is something I wouldn’t normally think about in my day-to-day life in CONUS. However, when faced with a difficult or dangerous situation, I became aware of just how fortunate my life has been and that I would do anything to see my family one more time. Survival is an extremely powerful instinct that kicks in the most desperate of times.
I thought the Cold clip was Awesome. No better example of the hardiness principles being tested. 3 guys a yank, an italian and a dude from Kazakstan together to take the hill. interesting how when they got close Cory's mantra used was "go gently" and pulling from within and focussing on his girlfriends kisses, coffee and visions of home. hearing that terrible roar after accomplish what no other American had done must have been heart wrenching. He said "I know my life is over" and then the snow cleared and they'd all survived. Good idea to focus on what makes us happy when @#$%! hits the fan
I thought the movie brought home a very good point when we are discussing resiliency and hardiness. Self doubt, we all face it at times, we all struggle with it no matter how experienced or capable we are or how many times we have done something. It is when we give into to it that it destroys us or our efforts! But the fact still remains that we all face it!
I think the movie made a very valid point when we are discussing resiliency and hardiness. Self doubt, is something we all face, no matter how experienced we are or how many times we have done something successfully. It is when we allow self doubt to overcome us that it undoes us. Continuing on in the face of the doubt is what leads us to success.
Curious, that is what came into my mind after watching Cold – curious about what would propel a person to embark on a challenge, where the odds for death seem to be higher than the odds for success. Returning to Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, the idea of existentialism comes to mind as a way of understanding and embracing such a challenge and a logical source to understand the curiosity of what motivates people to willingly experience suffering (i.e. adversity). Frankl (2006) presents three meanings for existentialism: “(1) existence itself, i.e. the specifically human mode of being; (2) the meaning of existence; and (3) the striving to find a concrete meaning in personal existence, that is to say, the will to meaning” (p. 100 ). The desire to push oneself to the limits of human existence and walk away with a new perspective or appreciation for life is what I believe to be the underlying narrative of Cold and the experience of those on the mountain – in such “the specifically human mode of being.” When a person experiences a great challenge, they walk away with a new perspective and an appreciation for the life they are living – striving to find meaning in one’s existence.
I know from my personal experiences and quest find meaning in my own existence, I have accepted challenges which are not on the same level as climbing Gasherbrum II, but I know after I have completed the challenge I walked away with a deeper meaning and understanding for my life and the impact I have through my existence on my family and friends. I would infer that Corey Richards’ perspective on his existence changed after his ascent and descent of Gasherbrum II as revealed in his flashbacks – he went up one person and came back another.
The point in the video that stood out to me was when at the peak he says, "This is not celebratory. We're only half way there." Hardiness is not merely needed for the ascent but perhaps even more so in the descent. We saw that point encapsulated in their enduring and surviving the avalanche. Amazing feat... Brrr...
I am not sure how I feel about this movie. I think the way he pushed through such a difficult situation and continued to push himself through his own doubts and suffering is a great example of hardiness and the three C's commitment, control, and challenge. He experienced extreme conditions and even when he felt like giving up he pushed on. I am not opposed to the negative attitude as many others were who responded to this post. I too feel negative and express it as I am pushing through something difficult even if it is something I chose to do. The part that bothers me about this video was that while it was a huge accomplishment and undertaking I thought the video seemed a little too exaggerated and dramatic. Yes, I know surviving an avalanche is a dramatic experience but something about the way the video was put together just didn't appeal to me. Over-all it had a great message it was just the delivery of the message that I wasn't a fan of.
When I originally watched this video I was angry and annoyed by the content. The question of "why am I here" seemed absurd because he CHOSE to place himself in that situation. After climbing Mt. Adams and choosing to put myself in a potentially dangerous situation (albeit small compared to Mt. Everest)I have a better understanding of where he was coming from. It's natural to question your own intentions when facing a difficult situation - even one you want to be in. However, with that being said, during times of adversity we also have the choice to be positive or negative. To me, that is the most important choice of all.
One of the first things that come to mind after watching this movie was exactly what the title implies, COLD. Throughout the movie my thoughts kept coming back to that, thinking how cold it must be and how I could never fully understand it. I have personally been in uncomfortable situations, some cold, some hot, some just miserable, but it is unbelievable to me that a person could survive that type of environment. Let alone come out of the situation in a positive mood, with all their toes, and still mentally strong. It just seems that being in such extreme environments for too long would have a serious negative effect on a person’s emotions, mental state, and physical well-being. This just shows how important resiliency and hardiness can be.
I heard a lot of people cursing the mountain, the snow, the food and many other things. I also heard some say "I've done it and I will never do it again". However, I didn't hear anyone ask themselves "what the fuck am I doing here". Maybe they were asking themselves on the inside. I never had the thought cross my mind. I was mentally prepared and I could even deal with the physical pain, I just couldn't breathe. I chose to climb Mt. Adams and I never questioned myself. It was the most physically demanding thing I have ever done, but I can't wait to try it again. I can't understand how this guy could put the time, effort, and money into this climb and then wonder why he is there.
In preparation for the climb I often asked myself, "Why the fuck am I doing this?". I can relate to that idea in preparation, but not in doing. When I started climbing I never asked myself why I was doing it, only how to do it and find the inner strength to complete it. Asking a question of why seemed unproductive once I was on the mountain.
As many of my classmates quoted before: "What the fuck am i doing here, " is an important theme in the film. Not only is that phase appropriate to the situation in the film, it can also be applied to life in general. I think that Frankl's work can be parred down to that one obscene line. The existentialist struggle can be simplified and understood as "What the fuck am i doing here."
By the time I watched the video the link that Adrian originally provided now showed up as private. To try and grasp the concept of the film I watched the following clip as well as the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epvNfEzX_cY
I am not sure the differences between the clip I watched and the clip the other members of the class watched, but I was unmoved. Maybe it is due the fact that I have no desire to do what they did therefore I lack sympathy and empathy for their situation. They chose to climb 8,000 feet in the middle of winter. Of course it is going to be freezing, of course it is going to be miserable, of course you have a greater chance of dying. The increased risk of death is the part that catches me up.
Having a better understanding of their why would put it in a little more perspective. Did they just want to be able to tell their friends and colleagues that they were the first American to climb 8,000 meters in the middle of winter? What was their purpose. What motivates you to put your life at risk.
During our hike to Mt. Adams I asked myself a very similar question that Cory asks himself. I was tired and I struggled to remember my purpose. When I remembered my purpose I was able to carry on as it was justifiable. I knew why I was doing this and I had what I believed was an honorable reason.
However, now that we have hiked Mt. Adams I feel that my reflection from this clip needs to go a little deeper. When Cory is at the top and recognizes that he is only half way completed really struck home. During the entire journey to the summit I had forgotten the fact that I would have to come back down. I would have to come back down on this slippery terrain, with a heavy pack, with a fear of falling. My personal hardiness and resiliency was pushed even more on the way down. I was scared, exhausted, and fatigued. I started to become less team oriented and focused on what I could do to make myself feel better.
At one point I had to wait for the rest of my team. It was then when I realized that we are still in this journey. I cannot just do as I please on the way down. I need to be there for them as they were their for me on the way up.
Controlling my thoughts going up the mountain was much easier than controlling my thoughts coming down. If I would have been hit by an avalanche I do not know if I would have been able to recognize my why.
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