It's been a good three months since Danny MacAskill's latest video "The Ridge" was released. Since then, over 28 million people have seen the Scottish trial hero set off on his mountain bike to tackle the famous Cuillin Ridge in his home country, the Isle of Skye to be precise. The number of viewers alone speaks for itself, but Danny MacAskill's "The Ridge" has certainly become one of the best outdoor films of the year with its great shots, incredible stunts and atmosphere.
This is probably also the opinion of the organisers of the Banff Mountain Film Festivals. The festival, which takes place annually in the small Canadian town of Banff in the province of Alberta, is the most renowned outdoor film festival in the world. The so-called "Outdoor Oscars" are awarded here every year. This year, Danny MacAskill's "The Ridge" is also taking part. However, to ensure that not only the festival visitors can enjoy the great nature films, the festival is held all over the world. In addition to "The Ridge", "Damnation", a film that openly denounces the destruction of nature by large dams, and five other great films are also taking part. The festival is also making stops in Germany. For example on 20 February in Munich. Further dates can be found on the German website of the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour to find.
A look behind the scenes of "The Ridge"
In the finished video, Danny MacAskill playfully dances from rock to rock, jumps over gorges and skis along the narrowest ridges towards the valley. He even dares to perform a so-called "bump front flip" over a fence. But of course, none of this worked out perfectly the first time. Four more videos now show how much hard work went into the clip and the problems Danny and co. had to face.
If you want to go down, you have to go up. The inaccessible pinnacle" is about climbing to the highest point of the Cuillin Ridge. No rope, no net, no false bottom. Danny MacAskill decides against a safety system and takes the full risk.
A bump front flip over a fence is a real challenge, even for a full pro like Danny. Both physically and mentally. The rotation becomes almost uncontrollable due to the "bump" against the fence. But see for yourself.
"The Ledge" is about exploring the trail in the pouring rain and the effort it takes to ride up a difficult, barely shoulder-width trail on a bike when it goes downhill for several hundred metres on one side.
A drop like this is an endurance test for both rider and bike. For Danny, it was "one of the hardest landings ever" for the Santa Cruz Nomad, but both the frame and the Enve carbon rims stood up to the test.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
