Photo by Chris Clark

Heather Hendrie introduces the Banff Radical Reels Tour film festival to attendees in the UC ballroom on Monday night.

Imagine experiencing all the excitement, pain, sadness and glory of some of the most intense adventure sports – all in one night and one place. You could experience an epic endeavor of biking, paddling, skiing and rock climbing here without leaving the University Center ballroom. This night was the Radical Reels Tour hosted by the CMU Outdoor Program.

Radical Reels is a special night from the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, as it embodies all the best of action and extreme sports that have grown with mountain culture. Biking, mountain climbing, base jumping, kayaking, skiing and everything in between were seen at this year’s film festival.

Chad Thatcher, director of the Outdoor Program, is the reason this breathtaking event has been held at CMU for the past seven years. Growing up in Washington, Thatcher looked forward to events like Radical Reels and missed them after moving to Grand Junction. Although he has brought other film festivals to the town, he believes that Radical Reels is the best.

“This is the most professional film festival I have ever dealt with,” Thatcher said.

Every city to which Radical Reels travels to has a member from the festival dubbed as “Road Warrior.” The Road Warrior introduces each film and answers any questions attendees may have. Heather Hendrie was the Road Warrior for the night at CMU.

“Radical Reels is the punk teenage child of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival,” Hendrie said.

Since 1976 the Banff Centre in Banff, Canada has promoted films, literature and all things that deal with mountain life and culture, including Radical Reels. All of its efforts are in pursuit of inspiring creativity and new ideas from people all over the world, with over 300 video submissions from 30 different countries. CMU marked the third stop of the 2014 tour in North America. The Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival will also be stopping at several other places throughout Colorado, including Aspen, Crested Butte and Durango during March.

sruffley@mavs.coloradomesa.edu