Freiburg outdoor enthusiast Heli Hofmann, now a permanent member of the PowderGuide.com team, has a special relationship with the EOFT. In spring 2023, he set off on a ski traverse through the Georgian Caucasus with a few friends and the Freiburg filmmaker Sammy Theurer. This resulted in the film "Ialakha - Ski Touring Georgia's Backcountry", which was part of the EOFT and TERREX "United by Summits" project at the time. And this year you can also see him in one of the films... He was at this year's EOFT premiere in Munich for us and was able to take a look behind the scenes of the films and meet some of the protagonists. Here are his impressions:
Drop the Line - Speedriding in the Swiss Alps
In "Drop the Line", Anthony Dutruy shows us the aesthetics of speedriding - combining his passions for freeriding and paragliding. From the very first minute of the film, you are taken into the flight. What you don't see is the close friendship between Anthony and his filmmaker Max Garhammer. Without a large team, the two of them have created a film that is primarily there to put you directly in Anthony's shoes: how it feels to hang under the glider and play between the snow and the air.
Summits of Switzerland - 26 sweet summits
In "Summits of Switzerland", Tobias Renggli experiences an adventure right on his doorstep. He wants to connect all 26 cantons and their highest peaks by bike and on foot. His mission: to find the best or most beautiful Gipfeli (mountain peak/croissant).
With many scenes that make you laugh or smile, you realize how good it is to include a "fun category" in the often overly serious world of extreme sports - here the croissants, which bring a certain lightness to the project. They also show that enjoying life is at least as important as the effort beforehand.
Freja's Back - Back on the Rock
After a serious mountain accident in which Freja Shannon broke her back, "Freja's Back" is about her comeback on the rock face and overcoming the fears associated with it. The impressive images and captivating story almost make you forget that Freja and her climbing partner Ariane are still climbing at difficulty level 7c trad - in the Ave Caesar route on the Petit Clocher du Portalet.
Only Ariane made it to the premiere, as Freja was climbing Bigwall in Yosemite National Park that evening. But that didn't stop Ariane from adding Freja to the after-party via Facetime. Once again, you can see a very supportive and appreciative friendship that shows what you can achieve together.
