180 Degrees South - Daily Doc

180 Degrees South is like “Planet Earth” meets “The Motorcycle Diaries”.

I’m a sucker for any good adventure doc.

But this one has a giant bonus: 2 founders making a sh!t-ton of money and then put it to use to make Earth more fun for the rest of us.

Thanks to lifeguard Aiden Healey and Patrick O’Shaughnessy for the reminder to share this awesome doc.

Trailer for “180 Degrees South”

You can stream 180 Degrees South:

…or stream the movie for $$ on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon et al.

Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/180-south

Ratings:

Ah, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins—the original outdoorsy duo who could probably survive a pop quiz on wilderness survival in their sleep.

Chouinard isn’t just the guy who started Patagonia, that iconic brand slinging outdoor gear and cozy fleeces.

Nope, he’s also a massive environmental advocate, because why just sell gear when you can save the planet?

Then there’s Doug Tompkins.

You might recognize him as the founder of The North Face—yes, that company making you look adventurous on your Instagram hikes.

But Tompkins did more than just help people dress like they can climb Everest on a whim.

He turned his attention to the wild terrains of Chilean Patagonia. He helped whip up national parks and spreading conservation vibes all around.

Back in ’68, when the rest of the world was getting groovy, Chouinard and Tompkins were trekking through the real Patagonia, not just wearing it.

That trip?

It wasn’t just a jaunt through stunning vistas; it was a voyage that turned these outdoor industry moguls into lifelong conservationists.

Fast forward, and you’ve got Jeff Johnson in the documentary “180 Degrees South” retracing their steps.

Think rugged landscapes, untamed waters.

Jeff Johnson is cruising along, ticking off bucket-list levels of adventure, when bam—shipwrecked off Easter Island.

Sounds like a bad day, right?

But wait, because Jeff isn’t just about to hang up his wet suit and call it quits.

Nope, he catches the longest wave of his life.

It’s the kind of ride that would make even a seasoned surfer weep with joy.

But hold on, because Jeff’s epic doesn’t stop at surfing.

He’s gearing up for something bigger—a rare ascent of Cerro Corcovado.

Talk about leveling up your adventure game.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting.

In a scene straight out of a rugged travelogue, Jeff winds up in a rainy hut with none other than Yvon and Doug.

Yeah, the Patagonia guy and Mr. North Face themselves.

But they aren’t just there to swap old climbing tales or wax nostalgic about the good ol’ days.

These guys, once stoked purely by the thrill of climbing and surfing, now have a grander vision.

They’re in Patagonia, driven by a deep love for the raw, untamed wilderness—and they’re ready to spend their fortunes to protect it.

Yvonne and Doug are preserving an area of land the size of Yellowstone National Park (over 2 million acres)!

Heck yeah!

This isn’t just a meetup; it’s a convergence of past and future, where adrenaline meets conservation, all under the roof of a soggy Patagonian hut.

You’ll see archival gems too—footage of Chouinard and Tompkins in their 1968 expedition.

180 Degrees South also has what just might be the best soundtrack of any adventure movie

The list of tracks include M. Ward, Jack Johnson, James Mercer, Ugly Casanova, Billy Bragg & Wilco, Ugly Casanova and Mason Jenning.

Thanks for reading!

Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc