Llanberis based climber and film maker, Mark Reeves has produced an energetic and innovative film about the hardcore climbers who live, climb and work in the North Wales area, focussing upon the exciting new developments in the bouldering scene. Simon Panton, author of the North Wales Bouldering/Bowldro Gogledd Cymru guide, gives it the thumbs up:

Although thoroughly action packed, and quite literally bursting at the seams with frantic action sequences, Mark Reeves’s film, Amateur Hardcore aims higher than the standard ‘thrills ’n’ spills’ approach, rather it seeks to explore the work/play dichotomy apparent in the lives of the current crop of North Wales-based climbers.

Not so long ago it was customary for dedicated climbers to ditch the career path and eek out an existence on the dole, scrounging, dossing and hitching their way across continents in pursuit of their climbing goals.This is how it was when I was in my 20s, and I naïvely assumed that things would never change.

Fast forward to 2004, and a very different picture emerges. I know a lot of very talented climbers (an occupational hazard of living in Llanberis), but I don’t know anybody who climbs full time. The days of giro subsidy have long since passed, replaced by the modern rationale: find a travelling job (such as rope access) that pays well enough to allow long periods of ‘rest’, or pick a low stress local job/university course that gives you enough freedom to get out to the crags on a regular basis.

I’ve heard a lot of so-so theories why bouldering has come to occupy the centre stage in British climbing of late, yet one that has a convincing ring of truth is the time imperative that modern society inflicts upon its citizens. Lets face it, if you haven’t got much time, what is the most efficient method of getting an extreme climbing experience? Of course, it’s bouldering – so quick, so accessible, and so addictive. This film clearly demonstrates this point, as climber after climber talks in turn, both about their passion for bouldering and the strictures of their dull jobs.

Throughout, Amateur Hardcore flits from aggressive cranking and humorous tomfoolery (thank you Jim Hughes) to deadpan interviews with a group of featured climbers (Mark Katz, Chris Davies, Pete Robins and Dave Noden to name a few). At first I found the spoken word sections a distraction, but on subsequent viewings, the thread of the dialogue drew me in; the matter-of-fact, down beat resignation contrasts well with the energised climbing sequences and gives the film a sense of rhythm.

The climbing sections will be a treat for anybody who found themselves wandering around this neck of the woods clutching a copy of the North Wales Bouldering guide this summer.You want sequences, you got it, ten fold, but crucially there is a lack of polish; much of the footage has a sketchy rawness indicative of unrehearsed ascents – check out Dave Rudkin on Mr, you’re on fire Mr for some gutsy, inventive snatching. Although Mark Katz’s smooth repeat of the heinous Caseg Groove sit down start is typically (for him, that is) casual.

It ain’t perfect, a bit rough around the edges in truth, but the spirit of this film is sound, and I do recommend that you see it, especially if you’ve ever wondered what it is like to live and climb in North Wales.

The DVD is on sale initially from the V12 Outdoor shop in Llanberis, and can also be bought online from www.v12outdoor.com. Follow the link below:

Relevant links:
      www.v12outdoor.com