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El Capitan
The Grand Canyon Suite
The Wall of Early Morning Light
Everest the Hard Way
South
Chac
The Original Cliff Dwellers
Snow in the Kingdom
Cadillac Desert: An American Nile
Afghanistan
Nurpu
Mongolia
Maverick's
Ghenghis Blues
Butterfly
The Hand of Fatima
Into the Land of the Midnight Sun
The Sky's the Limit
Let the River Run: A Journey into Glen Canyon
New World Disorder
Tragedy and Triumph on Firecracker Hill
500 Nations
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Dear Festival Goers,
 To call this endeavor the realization of a lifelong dream overstates the cliché. But, perhaps not unlike many other boys, I have been fascinated since childhood by tales of adventure and exploration. As a teenager I ventured over the windswept moors of Devonshire and climbed the salt-sprayed sea cliffs of the North Atlantic. Later the crags of the Pennines, Wales and finally the Alps filled my vacations with that potent cocktail of terror and exhilaration.
The memories of those early fears and joys are still etched indelibly on my minds eye and form the motive for launching this festival. It is the longevity of those memories that I would like others, particularly our youth, to have. Those of us now longer in the tooth can take our vicarious pleasures from the photographic accounts of others. Thus the festival has two distinct parts: the Youth Endurance Challenge and the Film Festival proper.
The Youth Endurance Challenge was created to test young people physically and intellectually in the back-country. Interest in this event has been particularly keen from institutions where youths are incarcerated. If we can inspire and stimulate young people through these challenges, then the Taos Mountain Film Festival will have been a success.
It is not my desire to bemoan the loss of this forest, that river, another species. Nor is it my intention to ignore these threats. We will screen quality films that highlight salient issues. Anyone of rudimentary education in the 21st century is aware of the threats to wildlife, wilderness and the future of the planet. My intent is to create a scenario of hope, a platform of optimism if you will, where those who seek adventure in wild places will meet and share their experiences and ideas. Through this discourse I hope to heighten awareness of the energy and inspiration I gain from wilderness and so foster the desire in others to maintain it as it now stands.
I could not have dreamed of mounting this festival without the enthusiasm and encouragement of Kate Czark who has shared the vision and worked tirelessly from the inception of the idea. I also owe a great debt to Seth Bullington and Gwynne Tyksinski whose organizational and graphic design skills have been invaluable. Johnny Crowl has brought florid prose and much needed good humor.
Enjoy the Festival,
Jonathan Slator, Festival Director
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