Skip to main content

The Mind of a Climber: Jimmy Chin’s “Meru”

Back in January, we were lucky enough to attend that Sundance Film Festival Premier of Meru, an account of Jimmy Chin, Conrad Anker, and Renan Ozturk’s struggles and ultimate summit of Meru Peak in India. Meru was released this past weekend across the country, and it is without a doubt the year’s best documentary. To call it simply inspiring or humbling is a vast understatement of Anker, Chin, and Ozturk’s talents as alpinists, and also their commitment to one another while enduring some of the harshest mountains and weather known to man. That Jimmy and Renan were able to capture this footage and tell their story over the course of three years in preparation for the stratospheric first ascent is almost inconceivable. Whether you’re a seasoned climber, or just admire adventurers pushing the limits of human strength and endurance, this film is a must-see for everyone.

The famed Shark’s Fin route up India’s Meru Peak has stood unclimbed for decades. Countless legions of world class climbers have been turned around by this massive wall of ice and granite, and notable author Jon Krakauer even mused that it “may defeat everybody for all time”. Given it’s nightmarish reputation, American alpinist Conrad Anker saw it as the natural progression of his mountaineering career, and a fitting way to pay tribute to his mentors and friends who helped him along the way.

Recommended Videos

Meru PosterAnker’s resumé includes multiple first ascents around the world, including significant expeditions in the Himalaya, Antarctica, and Patagonia. However, his eye was forever on Meru’s Shark Fin following the tragic death of his mentor and legendary climber and guide, Mugs Stump, in 1992. His single-minded focus on this passion project brought National Geographic photographer and professional climber Jimmy Chin, and young phenom Renan Ozturk on board in 2008, with a goal of sending the over 5,000 vertical feet of ice fields and big wall climbing in a weeklong, siege style climb.

The documentary focuses on their ordeal on the wall and off it, and details the struggles the men dealt with during that ill-fated first attempt, as well as their drive to come back together and conquer this unthinkable peak. First plagued by days of snow – more than ten feet fell in the Garwhal range of the Himalaya early on the climb – the expedition was turned around just one hundred meters short of the summit. The following three years saw each man go their own way with different climbing, skiing, and cinematography projects. However, Meru’s siren song brought the three climbers back to India once again in 2011. The personal struggles – Ozturk made a miraculous recovery from a head injury and broken neck only months before – only magnify their accomplishment. Following the riveting Dawn Wall project that Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson worked through earlier this year in Yosemite, it is easy to understand the visceral, emotional response climbers feel when approaching such a momentous climb. To be able to share that experience as Chin has, and balance such high altitude ordeal with telling the story behind each climber’s motivation adds a depth that few film makers can hope to reach.

Photos Courtesy of Renan Ozturk and Jimmy Chin

Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
This great camping hack involves. . . bread tags?
Save up some bread tags for your next camping trip
A view from an open camping tent

When camping, it's often the smallest, most unexpected items that prove to be the most useful. One tool that's been overlooked in this fashion is the humble bread tag. I can't tell you the number of times I've tossed that little plastic clip that keeps the bread closed in my backpack, but believe it or not, bread tags are pretty useful when it comes to camping. Here are two fantastic ways to use bread tags next time you go camping in the wild.

Camping gear often involves cords and ropes, and oftentimes, these get tangled pretty badly to and from the campsite. A bread tag is a simple yet effective solution to keep all of your cords and tent lines in order while you're on the go. Just wrap your cord into loops around your hand and secure it all with the bread tag. As long as everything fits inside, this tip can help prevent those frustrating knots that remind you of untangling the Christmas lights.

Read more
Denver travel guide: Where to stay, what to eat, and more
Here's how to have a great time in Denver
Denver, Colorado

Thinking about taking a trip to Denver? Denver's story began in the summer of 1858 when a small group of prospectors from Georgia crossed the vast plains of the Colorado Territory and discovered gold at the base of the Rocky Mountains. It didn't take long for tents, tepees, wagons, and makeshift log cabins to spring up along the South Platte River as fortune-seekers flocked to the area.

Fast forward to today, and Denver is thriving more than ever. As one of the best places to visit in Colorado, this bustling city is perfect for foodies craving local flavors, skiers eager to hit the slopes, and shoppers hunting for the latest trends. Denver has evolved into a top destination that draws visitors from all over the country.

Read more
JetBlue adds these direct flights to the Super Bowl
JetBlue adds direct routes to the Super Bowl
jetblue direct flights superbowl a320 flight

The 2025 Super Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on February 9. Featuring a mix of strength, skill, and drama, the game is one of the world’s greatest spectacles in sports. This season, the Philadelphia Eagles’ muscular offense and defense face off against the Kansas City Chiefs’ attempts for a fourth title since 2020. 

Though the game offers plenty of excitement on TV, there’s nothing like watching football in person. Especially with this year’s contest at the New Orleans Superdome, it’s sure to be loud as with each change in momentum and every quarterback sack. To help more fans get there, JetBlue is offering limited time nonstop flights to from the New York metro area to New Orleans. Here are the details.
JetBlue offers a quick flight to the big game

Read more