Wall-clawing with locals

Local filmmaker Peter Mortimer’s latest look at the upper echelon of rock climbing spotlights several Southern California athletes.

Narrator Timmy O’Neill, a world-class climber himself, adds a dose of goofiness to offset the dangerous exploits and intense characters in this series of wall-clawing vignettes.

Ropeless climber Michael Reardon walks us through his favorite routes at Malibu Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park, praising the mind-set of solo climbers and warning darkly about the narcotic effects of adrenaline -- a rant that follows a bloody fall Reardon takes on camera in Malibu. More danger ensues when climbers attempt a “slack line” tightrope walk suspended 70 feet in the air.

The hair-raising scenes contrast with the sunny attitude of 10-year-old expert Cicada Jenerik or Venice resident Maya Tauber, who is filmed climbing a 5.10 pitch while eight months pregnant. We also meet Felix, puppy to Biscuit, the famed climbing dog. Mortimer will screen the film tonight at 7 p.m. at John Adams Middle School in Santa Monica and the San Diego Natural History Museum on Wednesday.

*

-- Emmett Berg