Five Dot Fun- A short climbing documentary

[@shatter98]

"The best climber in the world on any given day is the one having the most fun." -Alex Lowe Looks like Chad regularly takes the cake. Film captures the energy I'm after when I climb!

[@EricBatesImages]

Yes!

[@EXPLOREMOREFILMS]

Fun film! Love the tone. We need more like this.

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks! I had the goal of making a fun/uplifting documentary, really happy with how it came out. Your work is gorgeous too!

[@EXPLOREMOREFILMS]

@EricBatesImages Thanks man. Maybe we can do a collab sometime. Where are you located?

[@EricBatesImages]

@@EXPLOREMOREFILMS I would love that! I'm based in Montreal these days, but am originally from Vermont.

[@caseymoore5472]

Awesome film! Thank you for bringing this into the world for us to enjoy!

[@EricBatesImages]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nothingz3dge]

Insanely cool. Community is what everything is really about. Climbing cool stuff with cool people, and making great memories

[@EricBatesImages]

Heck yes!!

[@jasondevarennes6197]

Awesome. I never comment on most social media posts or KZbin videos but this was a great inspiring film. We need more people like Chad in the climbing community.

[@EricBatesImages]

I really appreciate that, and I"m glad it resonates. I feel like we've seen a lot of stories of incredible athletes that are inspiring in their on way, I wanted to do something different that still felt important and inspirational. Thanks for taking the time to comment and put somethign positive out there.

[@ChadSilva]

Thank you!! I'm doing what I can to help new climbers be excellent to one another.

[@rangertommy]

Absolutely fantastic! Hospitality is my number one thing, whether at the crags, mountain biking, or welcoming people at my local bluegrass jams. You are an inspiration, Chad! And thanks so much for this mini doc, Eric!

[@EricBatesImages]

Heck yea!

[@ChadSilva]

Thanks dude!

[@guustvanuden2968]

hero's you dont hear enough of

[@EricBatesImages]

My thoughts exactly! That was really the inspiration for this short: A solid guy with a humble, community-focused mission.

[@mastheadmike]

Doing the most for others named Chad. Keep it up!

[@EricBatesImages]

Haha right?

[@cogitateaction]

Great film. Chad is a Gunks staple. It literally wouldn’t be the Gunks without him.

[@EricBatesImages]

I was climbing with him in yosemite when someone referred to him as "The mayor of the gunks", which really caught my ear. I did some research and heard another climber had also been associated with that term, so I didn't want to step on anyone's toes and didn't bring it up in the film, but I think the spirit is there.

[@ChadSilva]

The Gunks is amazing because of everyone here. I'm just reflecting back the love and joy I experience every time I'm out climbing :D

[@lukemichelson4253]

What an inspiring vid. Thank you so much! :)

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!

[@chossclimber]

I was psyched to make my first trip to the Gunks in 2025 to climb some great routes...now, I think I'm more psyched to possibly meet Chad! Thank you for all your hard work, my friend!!

[@EricBatesImages]

Haha catch him if you can!

[@steffournier28]

I love fun uplifting documentaries. We need more of those and more people like Chad in the world

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!

[@adamrosen6049]

Awesome. Started climbing at the Gunks in 1989 then moved west around 2005 and I haven’t been climbing but this brings back a lot of great memories. Thanks for the video.

[@EricBatesImages]

So much good climbing in the world, glad this brought out some nostalgia for you!

[@johngo6283]

This is just a perfect little video. Superb!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you!

[@twoeydad]

Thanks Chad. The Gunks are a special place for making friends.

[@EricBatesImages]

Chads the man !

[@peterjohnson6273]

That was great!

[@wizardinthecave]

Wholesome content! Honestly after climbing continuously for many years from a young age I'm fairly over all the slick sponsored athlete videos, stuff like this is just as inspiring and fun to watch for me these days.

[@EricBatesImages]

Yea! I love a lot of the big adventure videos for sure, but I thought there was a place for this story when I met Chad. Glad it resonated!

[@belenarroyo758]

Me ha encantado, la escalada nos llena pero también nos divierte, es bueno compartir. Thank you from spain❤

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you! I've climbed in Barcelona, it was beautiful!

[@infamousboone]

I want a KZbin climbing series by this guy...where he visits major crags and interviews local legends...

[@EricBatesImages]

Daaaaang that would be fun!

[@JonathanElwell]

Nice work! Cool meeting you guys and sneaking into the film with our sweet aid bouldering. Keep rocking that 5.fun, my favorite grade!

[@EricBatesImages]

You guys were rocking it, practicing out in the rain. Big respect, thanks for being cool with us having a camera in your face!

[@JonathanElwell]

@@EricBatesImages As someone that has frequently put a camera in peoples faces I get it! Great job on the film, also big respect to you on toting all the camera gear around (and up!)

[@ChadSilva]

I've been hoping this would find its way to you!!

[@bazcardinal1176]

Absolutely agree with your philosophy. I would love to climb in the Gunk's and run into you. Brilliant short doc.

[@EricBatesImages]

Heck yea!

[@rowanstalnaker5275]

loved this! i love the tone of this film, and the emphasis on fun and enjoyment/ community building :) chad seems like a legend!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks! Happy to have made an uplifting doc. Chad's a great dude, hope you get to climb with him sometime!

[@joshsactiveadventures5611]

Fantastic! Have fun and share your passions.

[@EricBatesImages]

Right? That's what it's all about!

[@gallimaufry5281]

This is awesome. Climbing is about community at the end of the day. Well done to you Chad 🎉

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks! Chad is doing good stuff down in the Gunks!

[@ChadSilva]

Thank you!!

[@micholmendonca4908]

Yeah dude! I am gonna say hi when I see you next spring! Thanks

[@trevorlately]

well done yall beautiful film about our favorite place

[@EricBatesImages]

Quickly becoming my favorite place too, it was my first time climbing in the Gunks when I went down to film this. You've got some fantastic routes down there!

[@jwsea9229]

Awesome FUN little film Eric! Chad has got it going and really showing all the goodness of climbing. Excellent adventure Chad!😀😄😊

[@EricBatesImages]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardgorlin5221]

I love Chad and I love this community. This made my week ❤

[@EricBatesImages]

THank you! I feel lucky to have discovered it

[@ChadSilva]

RICH YOU ARE TOO SWEET

[@johnsolo123]

Great video Chad, and pleasure to meet you. Thanks for the work your doing at my beloved Gunks!

[@EricBatesImages]

I met him on a climb in Yosemite and he invited me to his place, which resulted in this film. Felt luck to have crossed him on that multipitch as well!

[@ChadSilva]

It's hard to not love the Gunks!

[@louismorrissey5750]

Absolutely lovely video!!!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you so much!

[@lebulba]

Loved this, sent it to like everyone I climb with.

[@EricBatesImages]

Ahhh thanks!

[@513KennyG]

This is freaking amazing. Thank you Chad and thank you Eric!!!!!

[@EricBatesImages]

🙏

[@bengordon2330]

Yes. Thank you Chad. Thank you Eric.

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!

[@crazychrisadventures]

I love it! Keep it going!

[@EricBatesImages]

Will do!

[@MidnightHouse74]

Thanks for this I really needed it

[@EricBatesImages]

Glad to hear it!

[@nopro_films]

nice story and super good cinematography!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you! 🙏

[@benjaminjdoyle]

Thank you Chad!

[@EricBatesImages]

He's doing great work!

[@CDStudios]

This was truly killer!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!

[@nathanielhamovitz4010]

This is so sweet! Hell yeah

[@EricBatesImages]

Yea!

[@JesseJiryuDavis]

Great video. Chad's the best.

[@EricBatesImages]

No doubt!

[@szabolcskiraly6323]

Huge congrats, just keep on sending 😊🎉

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you! You too!

[@DougSandburg]

I’m hooked on your shorts!

[@EricBatesImages]

Custom patches!

[@EricBatesImages]

Oh wait, my short films or Chad's pants? I assumed you meant his pants since they're rad haha.

[@Ross.Kirtley]

Well, I could have watched another hour of this!

[@EricBatesImages]

Ahh thanks. I had a lot more great footage but I made this for a contest that only allows 6 minutes max (and everything has to be filmed in 24 hours)

[@derekdac]

I love the ownership!

[@EricBatesImages]

✊

[@mattmastrandrea3965]

What a nice little film :)

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you!

[@schulme123]

Great little film, Eric! Subbed!!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks so much!

[@datengu]

Mike is great, what a guy

[@EricBatesImages]

For real! And the odds that he was there while I was filming Chad was too good to be true

[@JimmySendsSometimes]

I've heard Chad's name so many times climbing at the Gunks but we haven't met yet. Hope we can climb together one day! Nice documentary.

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you, he’s always out there, you’ll spot him eventually!

[@chaintuts]

Love this!

[@EricBatesImages]

THanks!

[@erinbeagrie1596]

What an inspiring guy!

[@EricBatesImages]

Right?!

[@kid5Media]

Thanks!

[@masterfiddler11]

Life goals.

[@EricBatesImages]

Move to the Gunks, climb every day, be a good human.

[@SavonWyant]

Great philosophy! Big sends will always be cool but the every day sessions at the crag are just as important.

[@EricBatesImages]

Agreed!

[@MMillan]

super nice! 👏🏻

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@billlundeen4983]

Yes! A climbing film about real climbing days. Didn’t see ANY big biceps or super cool lingo… Right on, Chad!

[@EricBatesImages]

Big biceps get plenty of coverage already haha

[@ChadSilva]

Right on!!

[@billlundeen4983]

Yes, for sure. Thanks for this excellent video, Eric!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you! Credit goes to Chad too though, he actually caught my partner's belay device in Yosemite and it sparked a conversation and an invitation to his place in NY. One thing led to another and this was the result. Serendipity!

[@nicolasvarillon]

Awesome work man !

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks Nico! You want to join me filming on the wall for the next one?

[@stealiedan]

Yeah, this is rad!!

[@EricBatesImages]

🙏

[@theempath]

Now i wanna fly to New York just to climb the Gunks

[@EricBatesImages]

It was my first time down there, it’s amazing! Super fun lines at every grade, a million routes, short approach. If you climb trad it’s a paradise for sure.

[@ericsauber7175]

Love this

[@EricBatesImages]

Appreciate it!

[@arthurrunyan5785]

Thank you!!!

[@EricBatesImages]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@argenisperez]

I love this.🤟

[@Bananakid11]

infectiously humble :)

[@EricBatesImages]

For real!

[@tristanmayfield4851]

I suddenly have a very strong urge to visit the Gunks and Chad...

[@EricBatesImages]

Haha I’m afraid he’s going to get bombarded

[@ChadSilva]

Please do!

[@harry3734]

Amazing

[@EricBatesImages]

Thank you!

[@LincolnKnowlesandCompany]

This is a sick video. Love the graphics and tone. Would love to work with you on something in the future!!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks! I worked hard to make original graphics like the carabiners and credits. Hit me up sometime! I'm based in Montreal, love to collaborate. @ericbatesimages on instagram

[@EricBatesImages]

Heck yea! Where are you based? Also, I appreciate the graphics mention, I tried to go the extra mile making the custom lower thirds and credits sequence. Cheers!

[@mthudon]

Yeah, this is how it should be!

[@EricBatesImages]

Woot wooot

[@thislazaruslife]

yay Chad!!!

[@EricBatesImages]

He's the man!

[@m.more89]

wholesome

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!

[@MattGCollura]

I want to go to the gunks and climb with you so bad. I don’t live far at all. In New Jersey by the Delaware water gap

[@EricBatesImages]

Make it happen next season, the climbing is great there!

[@Lared4life]

damn i need to go here

[@EricBatesImages]

Heck yea!

[@calebscott7263]

Haha love it!!!

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!

[@michaelkirkpatrick6984]

Based on

[@travelersworldcafellc7036]

hooray! the rule of 3's JEFF LOWE! the day yer friends and the route yer on.. FUCK 5.14 I'm here for fun with my friends... Stonemasters unite

[@EricBatesImages]

Love it

[@kidkique]

Maybe a new thumbnail

[@EricBatesImages]

Why do you say that? Ill be honest im already self conscious of it because i enlarged it from a vertical photo using generative fill and i think its sloppy haha. But wondering if that was the angle you were coming from or if it was something else?

[@kid5Media]

The approaches look too hard.

[@EricBatesImages]

Lol

[@ActiveAlexis]

aw this is so cute I love it

[@EricBatesImages]

Thanks!