Jimmy Chin is a Renaissance man. As 15-year veteran of, hes racked up a number of extraordinary accomplishments including a first ascent of Merus Shark's Fin and the first American ski decent of Mt. Everests South Pillar Route.
Hes also equally famous for his award-wining photography and cinematography. Most recently, Chin teamed up with his wife,ChaiVasarhelyi, to co-direct and co-produce, a poignant documentary about the Sharks Fin ascent. Meruwon the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and with a successful broad release, the film continues totranscend the typical boundaries of mountain documentaries.
We caught up with Chin between projects to learn more about how he holds it all together.
Get Specific:If you want to train for big mountain endeavors, spend time in big mountains.
Consistency Is Key:Try to do something active every day, even if its just a short run.
Use Friends for Motivation:Im constantly traveling, so I often make “training dates”with friends in different cities. Its a great way to catch up, have fun, and stay fit while being on the go.
Eat Everything:Within reason. I love restaurants so my diet is admittedly pretty bad when Im on the road, which means I try to be pretty good when Im at home.
Go Long:My favorite off-mountain workout is the long run. Its great for building endurance and strength.
Music Helps:I listen to everything while I train. From old school reggae, to classical stuff like Bach, to hip-hop, to rock and roll.
Make Mountaineering as Safe as Possible:Dont put yourself in dangerous situations, where the risks and consequences are high, your level of control is low, and you arent prepared for those factors.
Manage Fear: Fear is always there, its a survival instinct. You just need to know how to manage it. Its about sorting out perceived risk from real risk, and then being as rational as possible with whats left. Am I in control of the situation? Do I possess the skills and capabilities to succeed? If you answer yes to these kinds of questions, go. But if you answer no, have the guts to turn around. Dont get paralyzedget rational.
Select the Right Partner:You want to be out there with someone who is solid, patient, and trustworthy. Someone who can set aside their ego, has a good sense of humor, and can put the hammer down when necessary.
Aging Gracefully:As Ive aged, and particularly now that I have a wife and kid, I might be more conservative in certain situations. But with age also comes experience. I think Im smarter and better prepared, and more selective in the projects that I choose.
郭勳措梗:泭Life is short. There is only a certain number of films you can make and photos you can take地nd you just never know what could happen. Its probably worth getting it in while you can.