Sterling Releases "Adaptive," a Documentary About the First All-Adaptive Attempt to Climb the Remote Lotus Flower Tower in Canada's Cirque of the Unclimbables

Film tour includes 70+ screenings nationwide and several international film festivals.

BIDDEFORD, Maine, Sept. 11, 2019 /CNW/ -- Sterling, a rope and life-safety equipment company, today announced the release of its first documentary, "Adaptive," directed by Taylor Zann of Rainier Films. "Adaptive" brings viewers on a gripping journey following Sterling engineer and below-the-knee amputee, Jim Ewing and professional climber, Maureen Beck, who was born without her left hand, as they attempt the first all-adaptive climb of the challenging Lotus Flower Tower located in Canada's Cirque of the Unclimbables. Rough weather, unexpected illness and other unforeseeable obstacles expose the raw emotions and perseverance of two world-class athletes as they test their will to push each other to the top. This 35-minute documentary is being screened in more than 70 locations nationwide and has already been selected for several international film festivals.

Jim and Maureen were strangers who met less than a year before the climb and the unlikely duo (nearly a 20-year age difference) began training three months prior. Maureen was born without her left hand and started climbing as a kid during summer camp in Maine and went on to win several Paraclimbing World Championship titles. Jim is a seasoned climber with more than 40 years of experience and had his left leg amputated after a devastating fall while climbing Cayman Brac in 2014.

Although both are very experienced climbers, the Lotus Flower Tower quickly proved that even with proper training and preparation, nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to alpine climbing.

"Originally we wanted to create the 'Adaptive' film to celebrate the adaptive climbing community," said Liz McLellan, Director of Marketing at Sterling. "After nearly every part of the climbing trip didn't go as planned, we realized we were capturing an even broader story about humans' universal ability to adapt and how that common thread unites us. We're thrilled to share this story with the world, and hope Jim and Maureen remind people they have the freedom to focus on whatever goal they're trying to achieve and adapting will always be a part of it."

Visit https://sterlingrope.com/adaptive for more information on how to bring "Adaptive" to your community and a full list of venue locations and film festivals where "Adaptive" is screening.

Link to press images can be found here.

For more information or to join the conversation follow @theadaptivefilm, @sterlingrope, @mo.in.mountains, @jimewing and tag #adaptivefilm.

To hear more about Jim and Maureen's personal background and a description of their attempt at the first all-adaptive climb of the Lotus Flower Tower in their own words, check out their two-part interview with climber, Kevin Jorgeson on the Freedom to Focus Podcast.

About Sterling

Sterling is a premier rope and life-safety company dedicated to bringing climbing, rescue and utility safety products into the 21st century. For over 27 years, Sterling has been developing and manufacturing the world's finest ropes, hardware and related gear, giving climbers, arborists, firefighters and utility workers the ability to focus on the task at hand. From its headquarters in Biddeford, Maine, Sterling engineers, technologists and craftsmen build on advanced R&D, customer needs analysis, innovative manufacturing and stringent testing to perfect every aspect of production and create the industry's most versatile and highly-rated equipment. Sterling ropes and cords fit seamlessly into any pack and enable the Freedom to Focus.

SOURCE Sterling