Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey

Really enjoyed it, must see for any climbers.

It's rare that a documentary is so well documented. Very interesting how anyone can live their life in such a way.

I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, yet I had never heard of Fred Beckey until I rented this documentary. What an inspiration! I am disappointed that we weren’t taught about Fred Beckey and his accomplishments when I was in school. With Fred’s roots being in Seattle, and many of his first ascents taking place in the beautiful PNW, I feel that us local kids should learn about this beautiful enigma of a man, and all of his astonishing feats. His passion and drive remained as strong as ever up until the day he died. His body may have betrayed him as time robbed him of his physical ability to climb, but nothing could rob him of his dreams, determination, and his childlike wonder and respect for the outdoors. Fred Beckey was a truly extraordinary individual. I am grateful that I was able to get even a small peek into his unique, awesome, one of a kind lifestyle. Even his qualities that were portrayed as character flaws were anything but. They are qualities that really showcase his undying passion for his sport. They only part of this documentary that made me sad was the fact that he didn’t see his age as an impediment or as a valid reason as to why he could no longer climb with the same speed and gusto as he could 50 years ago. I truly recommend taking the time to watch this documentary even if you aren’t interested in mountain climbing whatsoever. While the documentary does follow his years of climbing, and detailed documentation of those climbs...this film is about SO much more. After seeing this, I truly hope that public schools will consider teaching local children about this legend that hails from the PNW. He is truly a legend, and he was so humble about it. There just aren’t the proper words to describe Fred Beckey and his many accomplishments. He is truly an inspiration, and he is a fantastic example that growing older isn’t a reason to abandon your lifelong passion, whatever it may be. I thank the people who took the time to make this documentary. It was raw, honest, and inspiring. Thank you for capturing the good, the bad, and everything in between in an honest way. Mostly, thank you to Fred Beckey for your enormous contribution to the sport of climbing. I have so much respect for this legend! RIP Fred Beckey!❤️

What an incredible man and story!!

Fred was a purist in his devoting for climbing, unparalleled in his North American accomplishments. This an exceptional film, one of the favorites of my collection of over 600. You climb? Think your passionate? Not. Watch!

🎥 🍿 This is an excellent film and an entertaining story about a legendary man! 🏔 The words of Brad Rassler in his article "The Public Ownership of Fred Beckey" say it best. "Beckey’s gone now. He’s left us his climbs and his words, along with a legend that occupies a liminal zone between fact and fantasy, human and animal, cultured and profane; and a welter of mind-bending paradoxes: insatiability and extreme frugality; coarseness and elegance; cautiousness and impatience; vulgarity and charm; brazenness and sensitivity; loutish- ness and learnedness; the cringeworthy and the poignant. “Beckey was among, not of; that’s the way I’d put it,” historian Joseph E. Taylor III told me. Perhaps Don Serl said it best: there is no other way to categorize the man than as “Fred Beckey.”

This documentary isn't just about climbing. The stories that give some insight into this man's personality and his pursuit of climbing are, in most cases, hilarious. I highly recommend it!

Documentary film making at its finest. This film brilliantly depicts the core of a legend in his field. Even if you know nothing about the climbing world, this film shows the viewer how it all began through the life of the man who started an entire culture. This is an important story that required documentation not unlike any of the greatest artists, philosophers and pioneers in our human history. Bravo to Dirtbag for sharing such an important story that is funny, thoughtful and deeply researched, from the voice of Fred himself and through the lens of so many lives that were inspired by his unprecedented passion.

A wonderfully complex story about the fine line between passion & obsession. Filled with beautiful photography, great music, fun animations. You don't even need to be a climber to thoroughly enjoy this movie!

Great!