Kendal Mountain Tour celebrates outdoors, adventure

Each year, Klamath River tribal communities run from the ocean to the headwaters to commemorate the salmon's journey.

The journey, and efforts to cultivate support for what would be the biggest river restoration project in history — removal of four Klamath River dams, are told in "Bring the Salmon Home". 

In the film, the Klamath Salmon Run traces the 300-plus miles from the ocean to the river's headwaters, symbolizing the salmon's journey. It began in 2003, a year after dams, diversions, and drought led to a traumatizing fish kill that littered the banks of the Klamath with dead salmon for miles. 

The film is one of a handful of films being shown in the upcoming Kendal Mountain Film Festival, which is being held at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., on Friday, May 3. Doors open at 6 p.m. with films starting at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door.  All tickets will be sold through the Panida Theater website.

It's the film tour's second stop in Sandpoint after making an initial appearance in 2022, said Michael Boge of Mountain Fever Productions, which is bringing the tour to North Idaho.

"The tour is a world renowned event that celebrates adventure and the great outdoors in Kendal, England on the edge of the English Lake District," Boge said.

One of the United Kingdom's biggest adventure film festivals, the tour has been held annually since 1980 when it was initially known as the Kendal Mountaineering Festival. It is touring the U.K. and is venturing "across the pond" to nine U.S. cities, including Sandpoint, this year, Boge said.

At the Sandpoint stop, eight films will be shown, showcasing "heart-stopping adventure, human resilience and daring feats of courage," Boge said. 

"Whether you are an armchair adventurer or one that appreciates taking on the challenges the local North Idaho outdoors presents the films will ignite your sense for appreciation for the local environment we live in," he said.

This year’s films include “I Am Because You Are”, where six women embark on their premier mountaineering adventure in the Canadian Bugaboos; as well as “Flow”, where two mountain biking brothers from Mid-Wales are taking on the British mountain bike scene.  Another film with a decidedly UK bent of life is “Like Mother Like Daughter”, where Hannah Barnes shares an inside look at her home life being a professional mountain bike rider as well as a mom wanting to share her love for the outdoors.  “The White Giant” will also be shown and showcases Krister Kopala’s winter dedication to venturing off the path of normal downhill ascents and taking on the challenges of Norway’s Jiehkkevarri, located in Norway’s Lyngen Alps.

Also being shown are "Soundscape", which follows Erik Weihenmayer, a blind American climber, on his sightless journey ascending an alpine rock face deep in the Sierra Nevada; and "Going Home", which follows Ashley Williams as she learns to paraglide to honor the life and lessons taught by her "Uncle Clive," who passed away from pancreatic cancer a decade earlier.

The Sandpoint event is a benefit for a local filmmaker.

    A scene from “Like Mother Like Daughter”, where Hannah Barnes who shares her life as a professional mountain bike rider and a mom passing on her love for the outdoors.