Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • CLIMBING
  • Videos

Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey

  • July 28, 2016
  • Ben Osborne
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

Fred Beckey is the original American “Dirtbag” climber whose name has evoked mystery, adulation and vitriol since the 1940s. Beckey’s stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary life on the road, where he left a long trail of scorned climbing partners and lost lovers in his wake.

The groundbreaking life story of this rebel athlete, who inspired generations of climbers to head for the mountains with his monumental first ascents and eloquent books, is told for the first time in the documentary film, Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey.

 

 

Hailed as one of the most prolific, influential climbers of all time, Fred Beckey’s adventures began in Washington’s North Cascade range with his brother Helmy in the 1930s. In 1942, the Beckey brothers cemented their place in climbing lore when the teenagers survived an incredible second ascent of Mount Waddington—considered the most difficult climb in North America at the time. This success marked the beginning of Fred’s epic tear of first ascents around the world, during which he became the consummate “Dirtbag” climber: defined as one who forgoes the pursuit of material comforts and defies societal norms in order to pursue a nomadic mountaineering lifestyle.

HELP FUND THE COMPLETION OF DIRTBAG: THE LEGEND OF FRED BECKEY

Through the 1950s and 1960s, Fred’s accomplishments exceeded anyone in the sport. He shattered records with an unparalleled string of superhuman first ascents, bushwhacking trails and pioneering direct routes thought previously impassable. He eschewed fame, sponsors, family life and the politics of the sport so that his only obligation would remain conquering the next summit. Fred’s individualistic attitude led to him being passed over when the first American team was formed to summit Mount Everest in 1963, but the exclusion only drove Beckey to seek more summits, as he continues climbing to this day.

 

 

Still obsessed with the mountains and planning ambitious expeditions at age 93, the man who once bounded up granite and ice with graceful elegance and ease is now challenged with the simplicity of everyday life. Fred has slowed physically, but his zeal for the outdoors has not waned, and he is still steadfastly plotting new routes up undiscovered ranges for the next generation of climbers and explorers.

Throughout his exceptional life, Fred kept meticulous personal journals where he mused on everything from arcane geology to his dalliances with many beautiful women to the myriad sunrises he witnessed from vantages not seen by man before. An environmentalist before there was such a word, Fred used these journals as the basis for authoring 13 essential books that help connect aspiring climbers to the mountains.

Director Dave O’Leske spent the past decade filming Fred Beckey with unprecedented access, getting  to know the mythical man in the mountains of China, across North America and in his Pacific Northwest home.

 


You might also like:

croftTRAILBLAZER: PETER CROFT, GETTING OUT THERE AND GETTING AFTER IT
It was spring 1985 in the Waddington Range and Peter Croft was psyched. Just 26 at the time, Croft had long heard stories of isolated peaks rising 3,000 and 4,000 metres above gnarly glaciers, difficult terrain and the threat of bad weather. And now here he was on a five-day, nine-summit traverse with friends Greg Foweraker and Don Serl. “Don was kind of like the King of the Coast Mountains,” Croft explains from his home in Bishop, California… Read more

 

 

ShouldersThumbWELLNESS: SHOULDERS THAT SEND
Catapulting up rock faces, jugging up severely overhanging cliffs and traversing thin, precarious ledges… sounds like acts that require the super powers of Spiderman, yet mere humans routinely crank off these moves. Many rock climbers, however, routinely put forth tremendous feats of power, endurance and mental tenacity only to be regularly denied their projects. Why? It has nothing to do with being bitten by a radioactive spider; more likely it’s because they’ve neglected their shoulders. Read on, wall-scalers, and maximize your human sending powers… Read more

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Climbing
  • Dirtbag
  • Fred Beckey
  • Video
Ben Osborne

Previous Article
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Mountain Biking
  • On The Trail
  • Paddling

How to Keep Your Youngsters Outside (and Unplugged) This Summer

  • July 22, 2016
  • Ben Osborne
View Post
Next Article
  • The Great Outdoors
  • CLIMBING
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Videos

2016 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival Tickets On Sale Today

  • August 3, 2016
  • Ben Osborne
View Post
You May Also Like
Jessy-Braidwood-and-Neve-Petersen-Paradise-Valley-Squamish-REANNAN-SHAY
View Post
  • CLIMBING
  • Food & Drink
  • In This Issue
  • Mountain Biking
  • Mountain Lifer
  • Paddling
  • Photography
  • Trips & Expeditions

ML Coast Mountains Summer ’22 Issue Out Now

  • Mountain Life Media
  • June 8, 2022
elevated-Eddie-Bauer-film-Sonya-Wilson
View Post
  • CLIMBING
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Elevated

  • Mountain Life Media
  • June 3, 2022
View Post
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Meet the Rab Designer

  • Sarah Bulford
  • May 27, 2022
Jason-Hardrath-Journey-to-100-standing-peak
View Post
  • CLIMBING
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Journey to 100

  • Mountain Life Media
  • May 20, 2022
View Post
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Waterproofing 101

  • Sarah Bulford
  • May 13, 2022
Dynafit-Sea-to-Summit-Delphi-harbor-revised
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Skiing with the Gods of Delphi

  • Mountain Life Media
  • May 13, 2022
Full-Circle-Everest-The-North-Face-Nepal-prayer-flags
View Post
  • CLIMBING
  • Trips & Expeditions

Full Circle: First All-Black Team Attempts to Summit Everest

  • Mountain Life Media
  • May 9, 2022
North-Shore-Betty-rummel_t_0110_BP
View Post
  • Mountain Biking
  • Videos
  • Women

Friday Flick: North Shore Betty

  • Mountain Life Media
  • May 6, 2022
Featured Posts
  • Diana-Lee-Sunrise-SUP 1
    What SUP: Hardboard or Inflatable?
    • June 27, 2022
  • Nic-Groulx-Sam-Dickie-on-the-Great-Divide-Trail crop 2
    The Legend of Sam Dickie & the Cougar
    • June 23, 2022
  • Mason Mashon Photo - Xaays Canoe Journey ML 3
    The Great Canoe
    • June 21, 2022
  • Mountain-Life-Blue-Mountains-Summer-2022-spreads-cover 4
    ML Blue Mountains Summer 2022 Issue Out Now
    • June 22, 2022
  • The-Yin-and-Yang-of-Gerry-Lopez-still-2 5
    Friday Flick: The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez
    • June 17, 2022
RECENT POSTS
  • The-North-Face_SS21_Vectiv_Trail-Run_Saunders-
    Gear Shed: Summer Trail Shoes
    • June 20, 2022
  • Property-Valet-HQ-group-Kristin-Schnelten
    Property Valet: Creating (and Managing) Beautiful Memories
    • June 16, 2022
  • 1970s-dual-suspension-MotoBMX-BRETT-TIPPIE
    Brett Tippie’s Old Bike Day
    • June 16, 2022
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
Morning rip with @jessemunden_ 🫡 #mountainlifer
Who’s having a multi-sport day?! 😆 @timemmett probably is.
Bruce County is much more than the Bruce Peninsula. We’re here to let you in on a secret: a thriving community nestled in Bruce County’s interior region, just waiting to be discovered. The village of Paisley offers something for everyone, and isn’t overrun by summer crowds.
The mere thought of a cougar or any other apex predator in our midst can turn a backcountry adventure into a psychological test of mind over matter. Luckily, our fears are mostly in our heads and few have experienced a negative wildlife encounter. But, for ultramarathoner @samuel.dickie, it got real. #Linkinbio to read more!
MAG DROP! 🤩
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day (today and every day)!
Together with our partners we’ve picked our favourite summer trail shoes, in alpha order, for your crush-it summer. #linkinbio
Happy Father’s Day to all the RAD DADS out there!! 🙌
Join the Climb for Climate Challenge on @fatmap_official! Whether you’re gaining your vert on the climbing wall, the dirt trail, or the pavement, hashtag #ClimbForClimate in the title of your adventure, and @mountainhardwear will donate $1 to @protectourwinterscanada for every 20m vertical up to $5,000–100,000m. Signing up enters you to win: a 1-month membership to FATMAP premium and a $500 MHW gift card. (Challenge runs June 16-26.)
GIVEAWAY TIME! We've teamed up with @hydroflask.ca to give you a chance to WIN an epic prize pack! The perfect pairing for a SUP expedition or an adventure in the mountains! Prize pack includes:
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Morning rip with @jessemunden_ 🫡 #mountainlifer
Who’s having a multi-sport day?! 😆 @timemmett probably is.
Bruce County is much more than the Bruce Peninsula. We’re here to let you in on a secret: a thriving community nestled in Bruce County’s interior region, just waiting to be discovered. The village of Paisley offers something for everyone, and isn’t overrun by summer crowds.
The mere thought of a cougar or any other apex predator in our midst can turn a backcountry adventure into a psychological test of mind over matter. Luckily, our fears are mostly in our heads and few have experienced a negative wildlife encounter. But, for ultramarathoner @samuel.dickie, it got real. #Linkinbio to read more!
MAG DROP! 🤩
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day (today and every day)!
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.