The Dawn Wall

However, throughout their friendship, the director had grown to know the climber more than just on the wall. He knew Caldwell through the challenges, for instance, when terrorists kidnaped Caldwell and his climbing team on an expedition in Kyrgyzstan. As well as the time when Caldwell famously lost his index finger from a freak accident while remodeling his home. Despite the many hardships he’s had to overcome, Caldwell has yet to lose his unyielding optimistic attitude and passion for climbing. That’s what impressed Lowell the most.

As details from Caldwell’s past challenges intersect with footage from the Dawn Wall climb, another damaging event, along with personal woes well worth keeping under wraps for audiences to discover themselves, are revealed, further complicating Caldwell’s undying dreams of ascension. But he remains determined to incorporate such setbacks into his vision.