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Leo Houlding - Autana 16-May-2013 At 9:56:37 AM technogeekery

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Scored a couple of free tickets to see a presentation last night by UK climber & adventurer Leo Houlding, and a screening of his film "Autana", about climbing a giant rock in the middle of the Venezeulan Amazon.

Great fun - apart from the event being free, the bar was open (free beer!) and party pies abounded - what is not to like? The event was the re-launch of Berghaus in Australia, and if I'm going to be marketed to, I don't mind if it is technical gear...

The presentation was a bit rushed, he'd a lot of material to get through, and appeared to be very jetlagged. But it was very entertaining, clips and material from more adventures than any 5 people normally get through in a lifetime. He comes across well, and it was a very entertaining hour or so.

Then the film itself - an epic adventure through the Amazon jungle and then climbing the biggest chosspile I've seen for a long time. Very entertaining watching the "adventurers" getting eaten alive by insects, suffocated in the miasmic jungle, getting psychotic on shamanic potions, all on the approach! The climb itself looked generally hideous too, vertical to overhanging tunneling up mud, choss, waterfalls and most of the hanging gardens of Amazon.

The climbing footage was mostly staged (not faked, but obviously re-enacted for the cameras & drama) but entertaining enough, and anyone with a predilection for climbing choss / old school trad will thoroughly enjoy it. Some sickening exposure as they aid through a giant roof, and the world's coolest bivy cave add to the scenery.

What really made the film is the cinematography (Alastair Lee) - absolutely beautiful. He is a talented photographer & cinematographer, and its hard to believe that he could produce such lovely imagery under such tough conditions, while being a full expedition member.

Anyway, I really enjoyed it, check out the trailer on http://www.posingproductions.com/video.php?form_action=play&video_id=236 if you are interested.

Got a sneak preview of his next film, currently in production, about climbing Ulvetanna in the Antarctic - couldn't be more different, but looks even better. Can't wait!