James Pearson steps into the sharp end in this episode of Now That’s What I Call a First Ascent, taking on “The Walk of Life” with the full weight of uncertainty that comes with new ground. Shot with Hot Aches Productions’ intimate, on-the-rock perspective, the film drops you into the world of trad climbing where protection is earned, decisions are immediate, and every move carries consequence.
What makes this one hit is the blend of focus and vulnerability: the quiet rituals before commitment, the mental noise that builds as the route steepens, and the real possibility of a fall when the climbing turns serious. In just over thirteen minutes, it captures the essence of why first ascents matter—not just for the line itself, but for the mindset it demands—leaving you with that rare mix of tension, relief, and stoke that only bold climbing can deliver.
In this bite-sized episode of Now That’s What I Call a First Ascent, Hot Aches Productions links up with the Wide Boyz and Pete Whittaker to explore the “Dynamics of Change” behind a first ascent. Set in the world where crack climbing craft, bold decision-making, and quiet obsession collide, the film drops you into the mindset of climbers who thrive on uncertainty—reading rock, testing limits, and adapting on the fly as a new line takes shape.
What makes this worth your seven minutes is the clarity and momentum: it’s a concentrated hit of modern trad energy, full of the small details that separate a good day out from a landmark climb. Whether you’re here for Pete’s methodical intensity, the Wide Boyz’ signature crack wizardry, or simply a quick dose of inspiration, this episode captures that addictive moment when commitment meets creativity—and the route starts to become real.
Deep in Norway’s Flatanger, the Hanshelleren cave rises like a dark cathedral of limestone—steep, sculpted, and packed with some of the hardest sport routes on the planet. In this short film from Petzl Sport, American bouldering powerhouses Daniel Woods and Dave Graham swap crash pads for ropes and GRIGRIs, chasing the kind of sustained intensity that only a cave full of knee-bars, razor holds, and unrelenting overhangs can deliver.
It’s worth watching for the contrast: two of the strongest in a pure power discipline stepping into the endurance-heavy world of elite sport climbing, and the raw, visceral feel of learning a new rhythm on a world-class stage. Expect close-up movement, honest effort, and that particular Flatanger atmosphere—humid stone, bruising sequences, and the quiet stubbornness it takes to keep pulling when your forearms are blown.
Neil Gresham’s Masterclass: Flag is a bite-sized technique lesson focused on one of the most effective tools for staying in control on steep ground. Building on the fundamentals of twisting in and using the outside edge on overhangs, Gresham breaks down the flag—how a strategically placed free leg can restore balance when your hips are square to the wall, without the disruption of a foot swap.
What makes this episode worth your three minutes is its immediate, practical payoff: you’ll learn the difference between inside and outside flags, when each one applies, and how to choose the right option in the moment. If you’ve ever been peeled off by a sudden “barn-door” swing, this masterclass gives you clear cues to keep your body quiet, conserve energy, and move more smoothly through awkward sequences on real routes and problems.
Neil Gresham Climbing Masterclass - Crux Films · 3:03 · 139K views
La Force - 9A Toit d'Orsay - Alban LEVIER follows Alban Levier on the iconic steep lines of Fontainebleau’s Toit d’Orsay, capturing the first ascent of “La Force” (9A) in a compact, high-intensity short. In just a couple of minutes, the film blends the clean sequence of the send with Alban’s sense of what the problem represents—its length, its difficulty, and the personal story behind unlocking moves on a brutally overhanging roof.
What makes this worth watching is how much it delivers in such a tight runtime: pure, no-filler bouldering on a legendary feature, precise movement under serious tension, and a glimpse into the mindset required to commit when every hold feels earned. With crisp filming and a driving soundtrack, it’s the kind of micro-documentary that leaves you replaying the crux, appreciating the craft of hard climbing, and craving one more attempt of your own.
Relais Vertical heads to Fontainebleau for a standout portrait of Charles Albert, a climber raised on the forest’s sandstone from his earliest memories. In this Episode 26 feature from EpicTV, we meet him at 18 years old, chasing the unlikely: hard 8C boulders—climbed completely barefoot.
What makes this short film so watchable is the mix of humor and disbelief with real, close-up climbing: skin on rock, precise footwork, and the calm focus it takes to commit when there’s no rubber to save you. If you love Fontainebleau movement, unconventional style, and the kind of bold attempt that rewrites “normal” on a problem, this is a quick hit of inspiration you’ll want to replay.
