Hiking through the mountains is a beloved outdoor activity for many, but climbing—especially high-altitude ascents that require gear—is considered an extreme sport. Meru is a documentary centered on climbing. It tells the story of Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk’s two attempts to summit Meru Peak, and reveals the rollercoaster of personal experiences behind their extreme pursuits—stories even more dramatic than a soap opera.

The film begins with one of the most grueling moments of the climb: sheer rock faces, howling winds, snow flurries, and a hanging tent where one man lies flat, the other two sit silently—then, a sigh. The scene shifts: the sky is still dark, and the climb resumes. This immersive opening immediately hooks the audience, raising questions and curiosity, inviting them on an adventure.

Climbing as Compelling Content

Meru Peak is located in the Himalayas. The summit of its central peak is known as the "Shark’s Fin," characterized by an immense, flat granite wall. Lightweight alpine-style climbing is not suitable for the Shark’s Fin route. Big wall climbing requires various technical tools and is slow-going, so climbers must carry everything themselves—hanging tents, frames, water, food, fuel, and more. The high level of difficulty, unpredictable complexity, and long duration together make it an enormous challenge. Add the harsh environment and weather, and how climbers respond becomes a major highlight of the film.

While Conrad and Jimmy had previous experience with summits like Everest, Renan came from a free climbing background. Faced with temperatures below -20°C, high-altitude oxygen deprivation, 200-pound loads, and unfamiliar mixed snow and ice climbs, Renan confronted numerous new challenges all at once. Naturally, his struggles stood in contrast to the seasoned climbers, introducing tension and drama.

Though one might expect the second attempt to go smoother thanks to prior experience, a skiing accident before the climb adds drama even during the prep phase. It feels like a ticking time bomb, with tension peaking as Renan moves more slowly than expected. The eventual resolution is entirely unexpected—almost miraculous—prompting reflection: How was such a miracle even possible?

Meru is a mystical place—at its base runs the Bhagirathi River, one of the sources of the Ganges. The area is seen as the intersection of heaven, hell, and earth. Along the journey, ascetic sadhus and devout pilgrims appear onscreen. Looking back on the team's two ascents, facing danger, uncertainty, physical and mental agony, and the temptations of fame, they remained focused—on each climb, on each step, always striving to surpass themselves. This persistent, mindful process mirrors a spiritual pilgrimage. Though the goal wasn't nirvana, the transcendent calm after reaching the summit is undeniably a kind of liberation.

Brotherhood on the Rope: Deeply Portrayed

Climbing partners are literally bound together by a single or double rope system. Though there are fixed anchors, their lives are closely intertwined. A suitable climbing partner often becomes a long-term teammate, and the bond formed is deep—deeper than friendship, more aligned than family. This bond is poignantly expressed through Conrad’s enduring survivor’s guilt.

After the first failed attempt, this camaraderie is further demonstrated in how Conrad and Jimmy support Renan. At the summit, Renan’s emotional words give this brotherhood deeper meaning. As he clenches his fist and fights back tears, the cello swells, followed by rhythmic piano notes, heightening the emotion. On the snowy summit, beneath swirling white clouds, the moment swells with unspoken feeling—the film reaches its emotional peak.

The film’s closing song, The Light That Never Fades, is a powerful surprise, echoing themes of brotherhood, perseverance, and the pursuit of eternity through a soulful Black female vocal. Lyrics include:

When the cold bites your bones
And gets in your heart
It can make you feel hopeless
And fear will come to steal your sun and make it dark
But don’t believe you’re lonely

We’ve all had that moment when our shoulders sink
And we sit back and think
We could just run

You’re scared to fight
You’re scared to climb
Afraid to die
But I can be your courage
And help you see you’ve already won this

We all have that moment when our head hangs low
We question if we should go
Or turn back and run

But we’re not born to chase the fading light
We’re not born to fall and lose the fight
Never letting go
Oh no oh
I’m askin’ you to lift me, lift me higher than I ever been
Hold your breath and say you’re gonna come with me
We were born to follow
The light that never fails

Dual Narratives Drive the Story

In Meru, the directors use a dual narrative structure—interweaving the main thread of the Meru climb with the personal life stories of the three climbers. Each of their brushes with death adds emotional highs and lows, reminding us of human fragility in nature, divine grace in near-death moments, and the truth in “Heaven helps those who help themselves.” Although the subplots differ in length and focus on different individuals, they all effectively drive the narrative, adding dramatic tension, enriching character depth, and imbuing the documentary with humanity. The result showcases the directors’ storytelling prowess.

All climbing footage was captured by Jimmy Chin and Renan during their actual ascent. Though not always polished, the scenes are immersive, bringing viewers close to the climbers. Only true mountaineers could have captured such rare footage. The film also includes stunning aerial shots—especially at night, when headlamps glitter along the ridgeline. As the camera pulls away, the light disappears, leaving only Meru standing under a star-filled sky—naturally prompting reflection on the human place in the universe.

A special note: Jimmy Chin is not only a professional climber and photographer, but also a skier and filmmaker. Meru, co-directed by Chin and his wife Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, won the U.S. Audience Documentary Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Among mountaineering films, Meru ranks 4th on IMDb and 2nd on Douban. Whether you're drawn to the icy beauty of the Himalayas, curious about professional climbers, exploring life and human nature, or seeking inspiration, Meru is a must-watch.

Watch here: https://www.ganjingworld.com/s/z8aEM0bE3v

Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Rating: R 
Duration: 1h 30min
Premiere: August 14, 2015
Rating: 8.5/10

(Translated by Chat GPT. Chinese Version: 《梅魯峰》影評：繩伴結義 一次攀登一場修行)