He climbed mountains because the next peak was always calling. And if that meant living out of his car for decades, skipping normal life, and still chasing summits in his 90s, so be it.
Shout out to Rich Wilde for putting this one on our radar.
Trailer for “Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Fred Beckey was still hunting for new climbs in his 90s. The doc follows him over roughly a 10-year span as he keeps searching for “the next peak to conquer.”
- Beckey spent decades living out of his car while becoming arguably the greatest “new-router” in American climbing history.
- He built his legend through first ascents in the Cascades like Mount Despair and Forbidden Peak while still in his late teens.
Watch “Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey”
You can watch “Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey” on Prime Video and on Red Bull TV.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 96/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: “Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey” was directed by Dave O’Leske. The doc mixes archival climbing footage, interviews with legendary climbers, and years of footage following Beckey himself as he continues chasing climbs well into old age.
Release Date: 2017
Other Unique Stuff
- Different climbers describe him differently depending on their experience with him. Some saw him as a mentor and legend. Others thought he was selfish and emotionally distant.
- The doc also captures something rare about aging athletes. Even as Beckey physically slows down, you can see his brain still firing nonstop about routes, maps, peaks, and future climbs. It almost feels like the mountains became hardwired into his identity.
Wrap Up:
“Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey” is one of the best documentaries ever made about obsession. Even if you know nothing about climbing, Fred Beckey is such a fascinating character that you get pulled into his world almost immediately.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc