Climbing Gold Brett Lowell: Front Row Seat
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Oct 17, 2025 Brett Lowell, a veteran climbing cinematographer with nearly 30 years of experience, shares stories from his illustrious career, including his time filming landmark ascents. He discusses the shift towards DIY aesthetics in climbing media and the impact of films like Rampage in popularizing iconic routes. Brett recounts thrilling moments on the Dawn Wall, including innovative rigging techniques and the emotional weight of capturing unforgettable sends. He also reflects on how filming has influenced his personal climbing journey, especially as a parent.
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Documentation Drives Climbing Fame
- Alex and Fitz note that modern climbing needs media to gain wide recognition and accessibility.
- Brett agrees that documentation changed climbing, making historic moments viewable and accelerating the sport's growth.
Aesthetic Cycles And Democratized Filming
- Brett observes cyclical aesthetics: filmmakers once chased digital clarity, now many recreate lo-fi looks and skater-style edits.
- He notes iPhones democratize shooting, changing what audiences value in climbing footage.
Road Trip That Launched Rampage
- Brett skipped college and joined his brother Josh to film Rampage in a $4,000 RV driving the West Coast.
- They broke down repeatedly and filmed Chris Sharma traveling to new bouldering zones, which helped launch many climbing areas.
