‘A personal tribute to our fallen hero’: Patagonia’s film ‘Papsura: Peak of Evil’ premieres in Bend on Friday
(update: adding video, comments from snowboarder in the film)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - Patagonia is releasing a dramatic new snowboarding film, Papsura: Peak of Evil, with its premiere taking place in Bend on Friday.
The film follows professional snowboarders Nick Russell and Jerry Mark from California’s Sierra Nevada to a remote corner of the world’s greatest mountain range, as they harness years of experience in pursuit of the biggest line of their lives.
Tucked deep in the Indian Himalaya is a 21,100-foot behemoth called Papsura, the face of which is split by a line so perfect and massive it pushed the skills of even the most renowned ski mountaineers.
"They talk about it a lot as as it being this incredible mountain in northern India in the middle of nowhere," Russell said. "All of these mountains out there have such a big spiritual component to them."
The inspiration to ride came from top ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, who made the first ascent of the peak in 2017. Unfortunately, Hilaree passed away in the fall of 2022, when she was caught by a small avalanche in Nepal.
"She totally put it on the map. No one would have any idea about this mountain if it wasn't for her," Russell said. "It was pretty cool to go into an expedition and and trying to make a film, but also, you know, a little bit of a personal tribute to our fallen hero."
Russell says he's a big fan of the Cascades and is looking forward to sharing his story with Central Oregonians.
Filmmaker Morgan Shields said, “I had been to the Himalaya once before in 2017. Tagging along for the Papsura expedition seemed like the perfect opportunity to return to the mountain range that had been on my mind ever since I left.”
Film attendees will have the opportunity to meet the riders and connect with locals involved in the nonprofit, Protect Our Winters. They can also enjoy Patagonia Provisions x Deschutes Brewery’s Kernza Lager, available for purchase.
Pre-release Screening Details:
- Date: Friday, December 20th
- Time: 6:30 PM PST (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
- Location: Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 Southwest Century Drive, Bend
