LPCA to present an Exclusive Public Screening of The 46ers Film Documentary with director Blake Cortright

Lake Placid, NY: The Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) will present an Exclusive Screening of "The 46ers" Film Documentary on Friday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. Director, Blake Cortright, will be on hand to give a “behind the scenes look” into making this film about the people who hike the 46 Adirondack High Peaks.

"The 46ers" is a documentary film about the people who have climbed all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks. The film contains compelling stories, both humorous and heartrending, of individuals who make this journey, while providing a bit of history, education, and encouraging stewardship and environmental conservation.

The first 46ers, Herbert Clark, along with brothers Robert and George Marshall, identified 46 mountains in Upstate New York with an elevation of 4,000 feet or higher. Between 1918 and 1925 they hiked to the summits of all 46 peaks. Since then, over 8,000 people have followed in their footsteps.  Although subsequent surveys have found that four of these peaks are less than 4,000 feet, these original 46 remain the basis for becoming a 46er.  

This documentary tells the stories of ordinary men and women who have done the extraordinary.  What draws these people?   It is not all beautiful views and comfortable conditions, because climbing these mountains is tough.   The journey can be treacherous, even life threatening, yet these individuals persevere.  The allure to reach the top is fueled by more than just a casual interest; rather, there is a force of nature which calls them home.  Ultimately, love triumphs the physical challenges of hiking – love between the mountains and the people who hike them.   And, when they finally reach the top, they realize a fulfillment. As Tim Singer, 46er #1038 explains, “On top of a mountain, it’s too simple to say you’re a kid again, because it’s not that simple. You’re just more yourself, you’re the real you and you just like life a lot more…”

This project began over three years ago when Cortright, still in college at the time, was hiking Mount Marcy with his father and brother.  He looked around and all he saw was wilderness.  He felt compelled to tell the story of those who climb the Adirondack 46 high peaks.   In February of 2013 a Kickstarter campaign was launched to see if there was interest in such a film.   The campaign was a success and the rest, as they say, is history.  

Now, with more than 100 miles of hiking with camera gear, over 20 different interviewees, and more than 50 hours of footage, the film is ready to be released.   After a private premiere with cast and crew at Paul Smith’s College, the first public screening will take place at the LPCA.   The film will show at limited, select theaters around the state, from New York City to Buffalo, during the months of September and October.   After that, arrangements are being made for a television release through PBS affiliates, and then later, the documentary will be available on DVD and Blu-ray.

More information about the documentary can be found on the project’s website, the46ersfilm.com.

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