Solving for Z | A Calculus of Risk
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- How much can we gain from the mountains? How much can we lose? Between our own perceptions and the reality of the hazards, how much space exists? And in that gap, how do we decide what we are willing to risk? Solving for Z explores IFMGA guide and father Zahan Billimoria’s relationship to the intoxicating highs and crushing blows of a life in the high-consequence environment of big mountain skiing.
Education is a crucial part of the equation. Learn about Zahan's Samasara Mountain Experience programs, or be sure to seek out opportunities in your own backyard: samsaraexperie...
Patagonia Presents a Film by Teton Gravity Research
Featuring: Zahan Billimoria, Kim Billimoria, Rich Rinaldi, Nat Patridge, Don Sharaf, Jeremy Jones Griffin Post & Ian Macintosh
Produced by: Jon Desabris, Jon Klaczkiewicz, Alex Lowther & Monika McClure
Executive Producers: Steve Jones, Todd Jones, Brett Hills, Jimmy Hopper, Kristo Torgersen & Josh Nielsen
Edited by: Justin Fann & Dan Gibeau
Post Production Supervisor: Zoe Catalano
Principal Cinematography: Dan Gibeau, Jon Desabris, Jon Riley & Adam Wirth
BLOODY, EXCELLENT. As someone who has lost 12 friends to avalanches, and sometimes ponder why I also am still here after all the risks I've taken, I find this film to be extraordinary. Thank you Zahan for sharing your journey in such a genuine and heartfelt manner. It takes real courage to talk about these emotional traumas from the deaths of those we love so much. The heartbreak is real beyond belief. The best friend of my life passed away in 2016 under the snow, and I have to admit, I haven't really recovered.
Maybe its good we never "recover", though. My steeps-shred-mountaineering game has tamed WAY back, which often bothers me...Because I miss those immense drug-like chemical highs. And shit, man, that game is such a giant part of my identity. How is there even a life without climbing and riding giant faces? But in the same token I'm still alive, today at least. I REALLY appreciate how this film dives into the human element of the "human-mountain interface". But that's just the thing, perhaps these "mishaps", or "accidents" really aren't accidents when put into the perspective the environment we are messing with. These large events are the norm in the high alpine, and we somehow convince ourselves that it is "surprising" when we end up bumping into large scale physics. And we're even more surprised when our best friends get killed.
I also appreciate that this film gives zero real conclusions. As stated in the title, its that individual calculus of what is acceptable decision making, and therefore behavior. The math problem remains: As someone who loves high angle terrain more than anything in this life, where do I draw my own lines of what is appropriate behavior for myself? Honestly, to this day I have no idea.
I really am sick and tired of losing people, and then surviving those body shaking tears. Also, the older I get the less interested I become in having my body get all pretzeled and broken in some dumb avalanche. There's also just simply the risk of falling! That small slough that killed Luke and Stephen doesn't surprise me, and jesus christ what a shitty situation that rapidly became for Zahan. High angle, hard snow environments are real deal. I feel that losing an edge and falling high on a steep, hard snow face has actually been my greatest risk for fatality in the mountains. I've sort of had to systematically put a stop to many of my behaviors, because I realized that my future depended on it.
Thank you, all my friends at Patagonia for all that you do. This one makes us think.
i concur thanks for putting into words this deal - this reminds of the myriad close calls that went well and that give me the chills just thinking about how they would have gone sideways if not for the grace of god.
Ouch. 12 friends lost. That's heartbreaking to read.
Avalanches give no warning-when they break, it's already too late.
People like Z blow me away
go for a walk, a normal hike, and see how much you like the ability to walk. Then you'll realize you'd never risk how precious that is.
Gabriel Gunning -- the other ones didn't have/get grace apparently. No, you got lucky nothing major went wrong.
did you read: "drug like highs" ? Look, sex can be a drug (stimulates the brain certain ways), narcotics, and what you call a drug. You've been a drug addict. And like on drugs, some die -- od out -- some don't. PURSUE FUN that's alive and non-injury -- you end your physical life with serious injury).
When taking Spanish from Zahan on the west side of the Tetons 15 years ago, I knew then that he would someday share an astute perspective with the world. I was happy to see it today. Gracias Zahan. Thank you, Patagonia.
Thanks for reminding us what we’re playing with. We’re not fighting the snow, we’re trying to listen to what it’s telling us.
Enjoy a safe winter full of amazing adventures.
I'm glad you are alive Z and send prayers of healing to you, your family and the families that lost their dads. Your hat reads "Samsara" so likely you know nirvana as the other side of the same hand; perhaps you might consider what differentiates them. May your intentions remain beneficial, your insights deepen and your life be long. Peace. Thank you.
Wow guys this one is really special. Brought tears to my eyes thinking about not being able to bring my friends home from the backcountry. It’s a lesson to all that no matter how good you are, nature is uncontrollable. Being in those environments there is no elimination of risk, only mitigation.
Kudos Mr/Mrs Editor. That initial scene of the snow suddenly breaking away under Zahan and fade.... if that doesn't grab you, I'm not sure you're alive. Well done doc. Spectacular.
Wow, thanks Zahan, TGR and Patagonia for making this fantastic doc. I am struck most by Zahan's humility to admit that much of what happens in the mountains can be traced back to selfishness. Stop and think about how often we accept the "He/She died doing what they loved" platitude (...to heck with whatever aftermath is left in the wake of risk-taking and grief). I think many of us stop there, because that conclusion lets us off the hook; we don't have to do the hard soul-searching to ask if its all worth it, and at what cost.
Lol
This was a very emotional experience. I haven't been close to a similar lifestyle but being a passionate lover of nature and the outdoor sports, this hits hard and hits damn right. Thank you for this!
An achievement indeed!
Fulfilling your passion with unwavering determination courage and skill. Well done Zahan! We are proud of you.
None of this would have been possible without your sacrificial love Kim. Thank you for releasing and supporting him.
Almost 30min of permanent goosebumps. Great film
Yo I'm stoked to see Zahan again! I saw him first in Mark Smiley's avalanche course. I look forward to skiing with him.
One of my favorite parts is where he is ruminating afterwards about how he was always pressing maybe before and that he now could see that having a clear and peaceful mind was of paramount importance for being tuned to the mountain. It makes me think of the ceremonies that the Sherpas have before climbing. It is something - getting really present and quiet in the mind - that I want to incorporate into my expedition preparedness. Thanks so much for the inspiration and for willing to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is really necessary to be strong.
Great film, thanks for the ride. Education is important but it's been said thousands of times: There are no old bold mountaineers.
SO. GOOD. Thank you Patagonia for sharing these stories, you are constantly inspiring me to be better.
Don’t beat yourself up So much. Keep up your love for your craft and family. The balance is the most important. I’ve been an Artic and Antarctic soldier and experienced the same and greater losses. So good luck enjoyed the film though.
This film is very very welcome. It’s very inspiring, encouraging and welcoming. Feeling encouraged even being an immigrant. The thoughts at the end of the video resonate with ideas and thoughts that I have been learning through meditation with the headspace app.
Amazing film. One the best of this year for sure. While we love to see people ripping steep lines this films focus was greatly needed to balance out the fantasy with reality.
Strong documentary, thank you Zahan for sharing your story. It was emotionally very strong and heart felt. Mountains is not only about fun, therefore we shall act responsibly as well. It seems, that the more knowledge and experience you have, the more you are pushing yourself to the boundaries were miss-calculation has tragic consequences.
I always think of the dangerous mountains being in Napal. this is a great reminder that right here in Utah and Idaho, we lose people every year. I probably need to step up my awareness, good movie loved it, I'd love to meet that guy
Wow. What an amazing film! From the story and authenticity of Z, to the Cinematography, the choice of music and especially the beauty of the Tetons. This film made me feel alot of emotion in a short period of time. Well done!! 👍🏽 👍🏽
Phenomenal short here. Thank you Z for your honesty, and integrity. Leave it to @Patagonia to once again be leading from the front on issues of morality and ethics.
I've been a lot of crazy places, done some stupid things and got away with a few close calls. Then I decided to raise a family. This means a wholesale revision of the risk paradigm, as well the situations we deliberately place ourselves. If you're not engaged deeply in this thought, it's high time to mature.
Amazing film with a very important and real message about risk. Thanks to all involved...
Looking forward to this! Thanks :)
Beautiful story and lesson. Makes me want to try and Live A Life.
Wow, this video is amazing. It shows the how amazing the backcountry is while showing the incredible danger
Wow. Really amazing profile of Zahan Billimorias. Amazing person, so dedicated to so many aspects of his life. Definitely part PSA to those that travel in the backcountry. But as usual from Patagonia amazing storytelling. Love it
Really good film.
Storytelling at its finest
I've never skied or snowboarded in my life. Nor do I ever plan to even try either sport. However, this was extremely fascinating.
You should try it once. It's an amazing experience
amazing to hear all of your reflections, sending you my best vibes! z
thank you for this. what a truly amazing doc
this was so beautiful, and breathtaking. And inspiring.
thx for this masterpiece and nice story !
Powerful.
You are a legend Z!
Thank you and wish you load more guiding . And he feeling to be in natures and see home I know what you mean.
Goosebumps!
Amazing guys! Thank you
Thanks!
you must be humble in nature. excellent document.
One love ❤️
From Finland
Magnifique ! merci le message est sincère
you just changed me. thank you.
this shit deserves way more views than twenty two thousand
Wonderful.
Great film. Mountains = risk. You never can predict everything, we are just humans trying to understand something that we can't. As Clint Eastwood said - If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster. :)
Inspiring
Magnífico.
After watching extreme mountain films for 40 decades, it seems to me the one common theme is how the survivors miss their buddies who have recently died because of very bad luck or circumstances. How long do we have to watch or encourage this behavior? It just does not seem sane to encourage our children to imitate or go beyond what the legends of extreme skiing or mountaineering have done. When is enough enough?
Watching films has always been optional, and I don’t think this the film one would produce if the intention was to be ‘encouraging’. And the most common theme is clearly the intense, rewarding experience that keeps us returning to the mountains, in spite of the risk. Wouldn’t your comments better be suited to driving, say, or deep fried foods, or the continuing overuse of fossil fuels, or a hundred other things that have hazards but are devoid of deep pleasures that the mountains provide those who find it?
I don't think there's any such thing as a manageable risk if you pursue something for 20 years. If you guide 3 times a week for 20 years, and make 3 specific judgements each day on different slopes as to what's safe, then that 10,000 judgement in total. It only takes one wrong judgement to kill you, so you need to be right better then 99.99% of the time (i.e. 1 in 10,000)...is anyone that good?
Great!!!
Where was the March 2020 slide? Why the mystery?
Ep to the ic.
Z = ♾
How are you ever supposed to know where the line is if you don’t cross it? This is what makes you experienced and valuable.
that's also the thing that makes some people dead before they become experienced and valuable...
East Coast is a great place to be "from."
Ye 4:33
This is exactly why I gave up this sort of game 20 years ago. Only watched to 15:00. I climbed and skied with Alex Lowe, Todd Skinner, Seth Shaw and more. They are gone. DONE. I need to be here for my family and friends. It's just not worth the RISK.
Not worth the risk to you personally. Might be worth it for others. Personal choice.
"i need to be here for my family and friends." i agree with this as the bottom line. Zahan cheated death at least twice. if and when he dies in the mountains, the tragedy will be the life his family will have to live without him.
@@petercogan3396 This is way too simplistic don't you think? I mean if we follow that kind of logic, his life choices so far have been wrong and he just got lucky. I doubt and would hope he does not regret the choices he made. Now maybe he's had enough and wants to do something different, which is perfectly fine as well, no need to justify with what i consider the BS Stop the selfish life kind of thing.
@@cheznikos hey chez. i appreciate the dialogue. i like risk -- kayaking, climbing, backcountry skiing, etc, and i have for decades. however, i scaled back the risk a bit when i had my son. i still live "the selfish life kind of thing," but I don't paddle class V anymore. class 4 is fine. i still backcountry ski, but i don't go over 30 degrees in the colorado snowpack in winter; i wait until spring. i feel a responsibility to my family. my friend boyce died paddling class 5+ whitewater 10 years ago, leaving behind his wife and three daughters. i'm not going to do that. But i still did a self support winter kayak trip on the grand, because i didn't consider it a big risk. what Z is doing is incredibly risky -- his choice, of course. i agree with you.
I wonder what Alex Honnold would think of this
Adding children to the formula makes the decision making process easier.
Hubris. It seems that he still thinks he can solve the problem with more knowledge and care. That's what he learned from his brushes with death. The reality is, there is still a big piece out of his control and he needs to come at terms with that. Every time he goes out on the mountain, he is taking a risk that is impossible to completely eliminate. I mean, he could simply slip or trip.
Read public law 94-490 October 13th 1976.
Not all snow is made by God alone
It’s so interesting to see these top athletes like Zahan and Caldwell really questing into this dilemma of how to balance “selfish” risk with performance, experience, and legacy. Shows a higher level of maturity in these sports/lifestyles; a maturity that I personally appreciate as I adventure into the unknowns. Thanks Zahan for sharing deeply, and cheers to @Patagonia for elevating the conversation.
He’s talking about selfish in the fact that he’s basically choosing what he does over his family and his kids potentially losing a father. If he wanted this lifestyle then he really shouldn’t have kids. Seems like he is trying to constantly justify his selfishness in this video. His ego is too big for him to quit. I feel sorry for his kids
@@toomuch9762 I assume you don't have kids
And if you do have kids, I hope they learn to be open minded rather than just condemning someone because you don't understand them. Zahan seems to be pioneering what it means to understand and reduce risk in the mountains and that should be appreciated regardless of whether you feel he is taking too much individual risk. Have a nice day.
About the avalanche: isn’t he expressing a contradiction, or something paradoxical? Is putting himself in that situation, equipped with great knowledge and experience-is it selfish or very healthy? I do not think it can be both.
I don't know if it was the music or how he said, "watching the snow wash over my right boot" and feeling florid when he looked up and no one was there but that really hit me and made me feel a sense of loss and dread no other film has made me feel before.
This is definitely an Oscar worthy documentary. I hope Patagonia and Teton Gravity Research take the gold.
This was great! Thanks to Z for being so vulnerable and honest in front of the camera.
Wow! This was an awesome story! Cool soundtrack too!
Awesome that paragonia is too greedy to make their clothes in the USA instead of sweat shops
Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, I think..
Another breathtaking film by Patagonia. Really puts things into perspective especially for the new mountain goers
One of the most powerful, heartfelt, honest accounts of life in the mountains as a guide. You are an inspiration!
Thanks to all involved for telling this story. It is for me an honest reflection on fragility of life in the mountains. Central to the plot is the risk verse reward gamble that plays out time after time. A lifetime of shared family experiences, graduations, marriage, grandchildren etc etc for a few minutes of adrenaline.
Z you became a scholar of the mountains, scientific and methodical to your approach of mountaineering because the risks involves a loving wife and beautiful children. That’s the heaviest load a father can ever carry. Whilst preparation, and knowledge will lessen the risks the variables that can added to the formula are infinite. Family and loved ones should be the result every time!!!
Thanks for sharing your story. How we approach risk vs reward in the backcountry is a an ongoing struggle. It’s been a while since I’ve seen an skier/ athlete be so vulnerable.
This film is a strong and timely reminder that traveling in the backcountry is extremely risky no matter how many decades of experience one has. I am definitely guilty of being overly confident at times. This film is a sobering look at how quickly things can change. Thank you for sharing.
This was absolutely incredible. Thank you for telling this story!
We talk about inspiration a lot but it's rare I'm truly inspired, which means to me that I'm moved to do and be something better. Respek!
my bredda!
Great documentary from Patagonia, haven’t really tuned in on their media until today and was pleasantly surprised. They have always been one of those companies that defies status quo. Usually, outdoor lifestyle brands steadily glorify and promote the “be alive, be free, push yourself to new heights” mantra, but here Patagonia turns over that pretty looking stone to remind us of the dangers of our own egos. We don’t see that enough on instagram and other promotional media because it doesn’t sell lifestyle. This is evidence of core values at every layer of the company-from sustainable sourcing and production of the products, to sustainable marketing to its customers. Coming from a snowboarder, backpacker, and fly fisherman, I’ll keep buying Patagonia gear and checking both my risk factors and ego before jumping into terrain that is out of my league and control. Thank you Z for sharing this vulnerable story with the world, and reminding us that sometimes we can fly too close to the sun, even when we are equipped with the best set of wings.
Super public service announcement!
This documentary is amazing. Watching him describe what happened was tough. Experiencing death the way he did that day will certainly change a person. I had a similar experience a few years ago, I had to do cpr on a friend of mine, was able to get a pulse back but ultimately she passed away a few days later. One of the worst days of my life. I hope he finds peace one day though, I’m still searching too.
Absolute masterclass of story telling and production. Yet again. Tears of understanding a stranger with nothing between us but cinema. Thank you for the vulnerability Zahan, and thank you for the reminder that we belong to the mountains, they do not belong to us.
Amazing documentary! I can really understand his feelings and the things he's talking about.
Patagonia x TGR should be partnering more. Wow
Excellent story. Excellent filming and editing. Didn't know drones were allowed in the Park. Maybe TGR got special permission, but those drone shots were extraordinary. Nice job TGR and Zahan is a new hero of mine.
Thank's a lot for this testimony. A lot of humility is necessary to talk about our own mistakes but this is the way to learn about our weaknesses...
Thanks I really enjoyed that. Zahan has some good things to say.
This just hits deep, very special film thank you!
This was beautiful ...thank you.
just hiking the tetons is intense. these dudes are next level
Not sure what to make of this movie, I can’t quite share the enthusiasm of the other commentators. I understand what Zahan says, and his message of precaution is important. It’s just that right now everything has to be turned into an emotional / motivational movie and themed as a ‘personal journey’, and I am not sure if it fits this sad occasion. I am not a mountain guide, but as a former skiing instructor I have come across some mountain guides, and much of what is discussed here with emotional music seem to be the typical precautions, every mountain guides take and the challenges of uncontrollable risk that every mountain guide - and mountaineers - faces in his job. Therefore I agree that the content is very important, but in my view Patagonia would serve better to turn them into educational movies to help others be best prepared for the mountains.
Well said, I agree. And then there is the comment from the real Will Gadd below. Hard to argue with him! I guess that sums it up!
Simply fantastic, fascinating how risk is something humans truly do need to a degree
Great to see TGR make a film about risk awareness, nut just Nick-McNutt-getting-caught-in-yet-another-avalanche-and-being-cool-about-it.
It’s odd you say Nick was cool about it because that was a sobering section of Make Believe. Additionally, Nick McNutt has been doing a lot to protect others from the same Pieps beacon issue he encountered.
Those moonboard holds are way to clean, just jealous boulderer rambling
Muy bueno, gracias, cuando tienes algún susto gordo en la montaña, te reeplanteas muchas cosas
Super good story about natural and human processes, about the jolting moments when the environmental factors around us and even voices within find very sudden breaks from what we believed were stable bases. More arresting still is that gap between our perception of reality and the actual reality in dynamics we tell ourselves we have mastered academically and experientially. Everyone meets this moment in life but not all live through it. Not all via the same catalysts. Who wins? Those who spend their last day intoxicated still, heady with fearlessness, freedom and power tickling the sleeping fangs of nature? Who loses must be those who survive the break and succumb to the addiction nonetheless.....their wishful legend buried by father time like everything else. Something paradoxical about risk. Not taking risk is itself risk.
Just came from Totally Deep Podcast with Z. Give it a listen - this guy is very smart.
obviously another amazing video from patagonia!
Amazing film. Great to hear about the guys not always picked up by the cameras. The unsung heroes of this sport.
I'll never forget the first time I saw a body bag,
there were two.
A slide just outside the boundary gate of a famous resort.
Wow this was cool. I have never seen the skiing on belay technique before.
They were doing a ski cut to test the slope and see if it would slide.
Really well told and produced. Thanks!
Excellent film. Well done all around. Really shows what it means to seek the limits of nature and constantly question the merits of risk. Amazing cinematography as well. Excellent!
Legend, thank you Z!
Thank you, this was an amazing documentary piece.