While you’re most likely scoping out the next mountain to climb or trail to hike, you can never be go-go-go all the time. Rest is key and it’s great to kick back and enjoy a protein bar at home once in a while.
Or perhaps you haven’t gotten off the beaten path lately and you’re looking for a bit of inspiration. Why not turn to some TV shows, documentaries or movies to kick you back into gear?
The next time you’re at home with a cool drink in one hand and a remote in the other, be sure to check out some of the following shows and films that are available via streaming today.
Free Solo
Most rock-climbers out there are going to recognize Free Solo, the story of Alex Hannold free climbing El Capitan. The Documentary is over 90 minutes of heart-pounding moments as Hannold sets off on one of the most difficult climbs on the face of the Earth. The documentary picked up an Oscar nomination as a documentary.
The documentary is available on Hulu or you can pay to see it on Amazon Prime or YouTube TV. After you watch the doc, make sure and check out his interview with Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Meru
Continuing on the climbing train, Meru is another heart-pounding documentary that follows a group of climbers attempts the first-ever climb of the “Shark’s Fin” on the Meru Peak in the Indian Himalayas.
The documentary film won a number of awards after debuting in 2015, including an Academy Award nomination, and shares the same director as Free Solo, Jimmy Chin. You’ll be able to jump right into and feel like you’re part of the team as they try to make their journey. You can find the documentary on both Hulu and Netflix.
Losing Sight of Shore
Moving away from the mountain and onto the ocean, Losing Sight of Shore follows four women who attempt to row across the Pacific from Australia to America. This nine-month journey follows the quartet as they struggle with a number of physical and mental challenges.
The women’s attempt is even more incredible as they hope to do the entire thing unassisted. It is available on both Amazon Prime (for just 99 cents) and Netflix.
Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father
On the lighter side, this series follows British comedian Jack Whitehall in a number of adventures with his father. Neither are what you might exactly call wilderness experts and that brings them to a few hilarious moments.
The duo travels through Southeast Asia through the first season while they travel through Europe in the second season, released last September. You can find the series on Netflix.
Valley Uprising
Not the name of a cool band (although we’re calling dibs just in case), Valley Uprising chronicles the history of big-climbers in Yosemite National Park. The documentary starts over 30 years ago and leads up all the way to the present day.
The film does an excellent job of documenting the rivalries and forces at play for climbing supremacy during the 80s till now. It is available on both Amazon Prime and Netflix.
National Parks Adventure
Released in 2016 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. National Parks Service, National Parks Adventure will not only awe you with its sights and beauties but inspire you to get out to a park as fast as you can. If you’re looking to inspire a friend, family member or significant other with some travel aspirations, this might be your best bet.
Narrated by Robert Redford, the film will take you all over the United States from Montana to Wyoming to Utah and everything in between. The documentary is available on Hulu.
Encounters at the End of the World
Going way off the beaten path, Encounters at the End of the World is a documentary that covers our world’s most barren and mysterious continent: Antarctica. While many documentaries would follow wildlife, this film follows the people who work in and around the continent.
Cinephiles may recognize German filmmaker Werner Herzog who has been at the helm of a number of award-winning documentaries. You can find the film on Hulu.
Got any favorite outdoor movies we missed? Leave a comment below!
