Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge

Every year, the climbing community comes together and celebrates through the storytelling of film. Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge was featured at film festivals around the world and has made its mark, winning (among other accolades) the 2023 Audience Choice Award at Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. The film follows two modern day adventurers as they embark on a rock climbing journey through time, celebrating the rich history and folklore of one of Canada’s most iconic climbing cliffs and paying homage to the colourful characters who have etched their names into its vertical walls since the 1950s.

Check out the trailer, film screening dates, and get the insider scoop from filmmaker and director John Price on the making of this film.

Why was it important to you for Yamnuska to be featured alongside other climbing meccas?

John: I felt it was important to tell the story of Yamnuska’s climbing history because it was where technical rock climbing began in Canada. We knew some of the pioneers were still around and able to tell their stories, which inspired me and the team at Sherpas Cinema to learn their stories and try and convey their experiences through film.

Could you share some insights into your personal connection with Yamnuska and how it influenced your decision to create this film?

John: When I first moved to Canada in 2012 I was quite “green.” Yamnuska was one of the first places that I climbed here and it’s where I cut my teeth. I was humbled at how serious a place it can be to climb and because of that fact, how much it could teach you. The loose rock, route finding, and runouts are not for everyone, but if you’re an aspiring alpinist or competent rock climber, there is no better place to spend your time.

Photo by John Price

What do you believe sets it apart from other climbing destinations?

John: Loose rock, complex route finding, traditional gear, run-outs and climate make it a formidable arena. In a lot of ways, I think Yamnuska’s appeal is because of its “flaws.” It’s not perfect, but I think that's where a lot of its value lies. It is demanding, it is cerebral, it is serious, but if you can climb on Yamnuska safely, you can climb anywhere.

Culturally speaking, Îyâ Mnathka is an important mountain to the Stoney Nakoda, it serves as both a reminder and symbol of the strength of their community. I think the fact that Îyâ Mnathka (Yamnuska) is such a culturally significant mountain to the Stoney Nakoda resonates with the climbing community. It adds layers of awe, mystique and respect. During the process of the film, countless climbers would all express their love and respect for the mountain in a very similar way, a way that was hard to describe (their words) but one of profound meaning.

Photo by John Price

The film pays homage to the colorful characters who have left their mark since the 1950s. Can you share any stories from these climbers that you discovered during filming?

John: The stories were endless. Tales of 80-foot whippers, soloing, epic link-ups, trucks being driven halfway up the hill to the base of the cliff and riding trains from Calgary to the area below Yamnuska. We created entire sections of the film that had to end up being cut because it either didn't serve the direct purpose of the story of Yamnuska, or we simply did not have time to fit in. Let's just say we have a lot of material we hope to still cut smaller edits out of.

How did you balance the exploration of Yamnuska's history with the portrayal of modern climbing?

John: I was always inspired by the idea of pairing old stories (talking head interviews) from the early days with modern-day climbing. On one hand, you’re hearing and seeing (archival photos) what it was like back then, while watching Vikki Weldon and Quentin Roberts climb the route or sometimes the exact pitch being spoken about. This formula excited me because it gave us a way to bring the audience into the experience that was being spoken about. It made it relatable to a younger, more modern crowd of climbers while still paying homage to the pioneers. I felt it complimented both the history and the sports action elements of the film.

Photo by John Price

Are there any voices you wished you could've highlighted in this film, but didn't get a chance to?

John: Isobel Spreat, without a doubt. She was on the first ascent team with Hans Gmoser and Leo Grillmair on Grillmair Chimneys. It was somewhat rare for a woman to be climbing back then, and for her to have been climbing with Hans and Leo during the first ascent of the cliff, was even more incredible. Sadly, Isobel passed away before we started production of the film. Aside from Isobel, there were endless people I would have loved to include, endless stories and different routes to speak about. The hardest thing was choosing what to include and focus on and what had to be left out. It will haunt me until the end of days!

What do you hope the legacy of this film will be, both for the climbing community and for those who may not be familiar with the sport?

John: I hope this film is remembered as Canada’s first big-budget cinematic climbing film. I hope that people watch this film and feel inspired to call their grandparents, sit down for a cup of tea and learn stories that won't be able to be learned forever. I like to think that we conveyed a feeling that history is important and so much can be learned from looking back and listening. For those not familiar with climbing, I hope the themes in this film transcend the sport and that it can be applied and appreciated into other aspects of life. To the not-yet-climbers, I hope I didn't scare you off learning, it's an incredible way to spend your life.

Photo by John Price

Spring 2024 film screenings

Interested in attending a screening in your city? Keep an eye out for dates and locations being added to the list below.

• May 8*: at Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa, ON

• May 16*: at Cinema Beaubien in Montreal, QC

• May 19*: at Revue Cinema in Toronto, ON

• May 20: at Magic Lantern Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon, SK

• May 23: at Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives in Jasper, AB

• June 20: at Metro Cinema in Edmonton, AB

*Visiting the film screening in Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal? Make sure to say hello to our MEC staffers at the event, as the film screening host. See all film screening dates on the Sherpas Cinema website.