Film ‘Meru’ Brings Mountaineering, Friendship, Persistence to Sundance

Last night the highly anticipated film Meru, featuring the ascent by Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk—all longtime members of the National Geographic family and grantees—premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film tells the story of the team’s historic first ascent of the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru in the Garwhal Himalaya. The summit was Anker’s third attempt at the climb, Ozturk and Chin’s second. The three-person climbing team had last climbed and suffered on the alpine wall together in 2008, after which Chin vowed never to return. The film also gives a look into the climbers’ personal lives and how their loved ones deal with their need to climb mountains. The film also features commentary by Jon Krakauer.

We will have interviews with the team coming soon. Until then, enjoy the trailer.