In this short-length film we can see how a great climber like Dave McLeod gets mentally and physically ready before a new enterprise. In particular we will spend a day with him during his preparatory training for the "Echo Wall", a route on the North face of Ben Nevis, which will demand all his energies and represents a very special challenge for him. He has completed some training climbs, necessary requirements before starting this enterprise to verify his level of physical training. The most important part however is the psychological training, because thanks only to strict discipline and control over his fears can accidents be avoided. McLeod deals with this training with the utmost seriousness, because he is aware that any error can be fatal. For "Echo Wall" it is necessary to climb a 8c+/9a degree with no protection. Therefore Dave must have great self-confidence in his abilities and his decision-making in situations at the edge of his physical limits and while under great psychological pressure.
Director
Claire MacLeod
Claire MacLeod studied photography at Edinburgh College of Art. In the past thirteen years she has followed Dave McLeod’s career taking photos of his ascents, publishing her works in the most prestigious climbing magazines. She has collaborated on several videos and films (such as E11, Committed, To Hell and Back), but Echo Wall and Training day are her first works as a director. Echo Wall has already received several awards at international festivals.