Beyond the Peak

OFFICIAL
SYNOPSIS

"Beyond the Peak" is a poignant documentary capturing the transformative journey of David and his Orthodox Christian mountain climbing club. In 2010, grieving the loss of his brother Zachary, David fulfills Zachary's final wish to climb Colorado's Blanca Peak and pray for his soul. Documenting the ascent, David and brother-in-law Ranko overcome challenges, reaching the summit for Zachary's memorial. The experience sparks the creation of a spiritual climbing club, blending mountaineering with prayer. With each climb the club grew, gaining a brother. Escaping death on Mt. Humboldt, the club embraces a higher purpose — bringing the Holy Divine Liturgy to the mountains.

REVIEW

Whether you come to this documentary because you’re interested in mountain climbing, in men’s groups, or in the spirituality of ascent and ascesis, you’ll be very glad you found it.

The documentary follows a small group of Orthodox men who develop a club in which they climb mountains to gather in prayer at the summit. Our tradition is full of such endeavors: from Mount Sinai to Mount Tabor, we have always left the noise of civilization and its comforts behind, to head into the wilderness to experience God in a different way — uncontrolled and ineffable, enormous, awesome in His creation.

This is a beautiful story of real men who gather together to offer up their struggles to God, to support each other and to pray together. They learn the amazing truth that all pilgrims discover: when we inconvenience ourselves, when we leave the comfort and safety of home, to make a journey intended to serve and honor God, He rewards us with a real sense of His presence and love for us. This documentary is a wonderful allegory of our own spiritual journey, as we struggle together toward God. We cannot reach Him, and yet, He receives our efforts and reaches down to us.

BYZANTINE BRIDGE?

Can I watch this with my non-Orthodox friends? Will they get it?

Yes.

Beyond the Peak is not preachy, and it’s not shoving Orthodoxy down anyone’s throat. Instead, the Orthodox faith is simply present as a fact of these men’s lives. Their interest in mountain climbing and their deep friendship is not specific to Orthodoxy, but as they gather to pray, their faith is always expressed through Orthodox prayers and services. A certain Orthodox ethos comes through the narration, but in an easy, unobtrusive way. The audience is left to sort out what the mens’ faith is for themeselves, and is free to find it intriguing or to simply add it to their knowledge of world religions. A completely agnostic person could enjoy this film; they would see Orthodoxy presented in a positive light, but would not feel cornered (unless you’re ambushing them somehow — but that won’t be because the documentary was pushing them).