REI Presents: Frank and the Tower

The first time REI member Frank Sanders saw Devils Tower was in the sudden brilliance of a lightning strike. It sent a wave of anxiety through him, but the next day he climbed The Tower. Forty-three years later, he’s repeated that act more than 2,000 times and learned a thing or two about going up and not growing old.
Learn more about Frank and the film:
blog.rei.com/cl...

[@TheEled34]

Frank has also hosted hundreds of touring cyclists over the many years. My stay at Devils Tower Lodge this summer was unmistakably one of the highlights of my 7,000-mile tour around the US and Canada. What an inspiration to be our authentic selves and enjoy our limited time here. Cannot thank you enough for hosting me. I hope I make it back to the Lodge some time soon. Please keep it as sacred as it was in the summer of 2023. Godspeed

[@AswonMagroot]

Frank put me, and my then climbing partner, up in his place in the winter of 2002. He took pity on a couple of guys from Colorado who showed up to climb the Tower in the middle of winter when all the campsites were closed and there was no place to stay. Maybe pity isn't the right word. There was the opportunity to make a human connection and I doubt the guy has ever turned that down. He even cooked us dinner that night and sent us on to the base of the Tower with a full stomach the morning of the climb. Frank is a prince, a saint. I hope you see this message, Frank. I hope you understand that your generosity and stories have stayed with me for these sixteen years.

[@opiethrice8746]

I met Frank today. I'm a Librarian and he came in and played Gershwin on our Piano for everyone coming through. Beautiful music man, I hope to meet you again!!

[@chrishoppe2714]

I met Frank in September of 2006. I was climbing the tower with my friends and fellow guides transitioning our guiding company from one owner to another. Frank was inspirational, kind, funny, and just a blast to share the top of the tower with. He came walking up to our group with cornrows and a tie dye shirt soloing laps on the tower and rapping down. Such a great guy and ambassador for climbing, I feel lucky to have spent those few moments with him.

[@deannilvalli6579]

This is a truly brilliant film. The photography, the audio, the music, the narration, the FEELING. I wish I could make a film as great as this!

[@TheAndresalex]

hands down, best film about life and climbing! thank you Frank

[@markmirabella4066]

alex this is great, but have you seen Meru?

[@uhh1436]

Don't know ya...........but love ya dude. Keep on climbing ;)

[@nk6197]

The Mountains are calling and I must go. The call of the mountains intensified every second I was watching this.

[@martybunyan12]

Absolutely AWESOME! I have watched this many times and it still gives me chills every time.

[@johancakep]

That's one of the most energetic and ecstatic old man I've ever seen.

[@PopeOnDope]

Well, this was unexpected...I dont climb but this film left a hell of an impact, mostly due to this extraordinary man. Thank you for making an sharing this. Frank is a real inspiration for doing what you love - man, he sure looks happy..Very well done.

[@tekmin1]

Frank has been coming to the gym I work for the past week and he has been one of the coolest guys to talk to!

[@johancakep]

How's it going for him? Does he still climb?

[@Sheety33]

This was pure magic. Enjoyed every second of this short film. Way to go REI.

[@carioca56]

Thanks a lot REI and all those resposible (directors) for telling us about Frank

[@mrc2482]

Frank I met you a few weeks ago. I came to shower but it was snowing so I “showered “ in the sink. I live in my minivan. I’m grateful for this video and for your sobriety and for mine. Hiking is how I sober myself I’ve hiked all across America traveling from trail to trail. Was a pleasure meeting you and I can’t wait to meet you again. I use to climb too! I will again someday and I’ll be on that tower with you !

[@miketomilowitz2043]

"The tower wants to be climbed; and it will show you exactly where to put your hands, and where to put your feet." It thought this was quite profound!

[@Innerspiritmanagement]

So wonderful to see someone so truly enjoy life and really get what it is about, Keep climbing Frank

[@ericcox6764]

Climbing Devil's Tower in 2003 was okay I guess. Meeting Frank Sanders was something I will always remember. One of the greatest people I've ever met. "Blessed are those who achieve their dreams"

[@christinemahoney4334]

It was an honor to meet you today, Frank! Rock on! 🙌

[@90MicMac]

This is really nicely made guys. Recent (ish) fan of Duct Tape Then Beer, and Semi-Rad, and this is just lovely. Thanks for your work & passion.

[@marcclarke8986]

Wow !!!! Respect ... Finding your place ... it is so easy to let that slip by. Thank You for this great production 👏🏻

[@huffpapi3597]

This was absolutely beautiful.. Long live Frank. Climb on brother.

[@duzer]

Love this story, so well done!

[@idaklymr]

15 seconds in and I want to get to know this guy

[@joshuadonovan3812]

Frank is a legend! The tower is not the same without him…

[@Gamling1000]

Hands down, best film about meaning of life!

[@jessieorth6368]

I just met Frank. He was so kind.

[@juanmanband]

This is so inspiring, loved it.

[@Olympia_Outdoors]

Great job with another amazing film.

[@RuvimAbaras]

Thank you!

[@alanmansfield664]

Thanks Frank. Thanks REI. Gave away the alcohol molecule five years ago. No regrets except I wish I had never started as like cigarettes it was a mere mask for anxiety and depression. Oh well it took me forty years and now I have insight I did not have at fifteen and later. No regrets about the people I meet. The outdoors, go outside and play.

[@rei]

Thanks for the kind words, Alan!

[@butlerdawgs78]

That's an incredible guy, story, and life!

[@clifjo123]

Keep Climbin' Frank - The tower is magical place

[@chrischapman699]

YoungOldGuy food for this

[@chrischapman699]

YoungOldGuy 0 g when pinky 00 poo

[@JOHNNYHAULAWAY]

amazing story... Ok ok,,,, I will go for a trail run today.. thanks for the motivation

[@elbonian1166]

My new hero! How could vote thumbs down to this??

[@K13-v1t]

Frank is one awesome cool dude A true rockstar and awesome narrator.

[@alsin1597]

I've cried..

[@fabiolalove9072]

amazing and inspirational..

[@traviskopet349]

these are awesome! keep them coming.

[@BlazingHorizon]

The Bob Ross of the climbing world.

[@patmonahan1]

You go Frank.

[@StickmanWilmingtonNC]

Enjoyed!

[@trackisgood]

Thanks for sharing this story. Hope to make it out to climb the tower in fall this year, or spring of '19 Also just wondering what is the classical song on piano at 8:15, before Linus & Lucy?

[@isabel9322]

really loved this video!

[@chipgroff9664]

It's uncanny how our lives can parallel with others that you don't know.

[@jefferyjohneverett]

Amazing simply amazing 💪🏽

[@frontierflyer]

I want to be like Frank!

[@jamesgross3152]

Does anybody know the name of the song at the opening scene? Amazing intro.

[@clarkansas6590]

Very good

[@Merriwood19]

Love it, very nice, but the music is too loud - hard to hear Frank's words which are so meaningful.

[@k0ba_]

Such a cool video

[@tritondriver1]

He belongs to my list of " Heavy Bros"

[@sj_estudio]

Magnifico esse vídeo.

[@RonvinceBom]

Bravo!

[@adrianalvarado7407]

nice technical song. my new super hero. iz a sober happy sob too. in the test of time ill be like this man

[@Dave73nl]

Great!

[@adventurecampingtours]

Why no captions?

[@BayAreaLakers]

Anyone know the name of the song that Frank plays in the beginning?

[@JohnGlueck]

I think Cast Your Fate to the Wind, Vice Guaraldi

[@joemulgrew]

The kind of man you want to meet.

[@ANT-ER]

NICE INTRO!!!

[@trongnguyen147]

Your decision to stop being drunk after 33 years is so damn true.

[@nickl3861]

Ka is like a wheel

[@Tribaltourist]

Great story. Keep climbing until you can go no more!

[@blackdogwildtrails3123]

Frank was only 62 when this was filmed? Jeez...I thought he was about 82! I was thinking, not bad for an old guy.

[@camplethargic8]

Liana Kirk! 4:56

[@noyb1386]

Frank, I climbed with you in 1993, after first meeting you on the bench in front of the store at Devils Tower. The person in this video, a self-absorbed blowhard, is not the person I had met and climbed with. Where you were once drunk on alcohol, you're now drunk on yourself. I've seen weed do this to a person. Sayanora!

[@gst013]

Thanks for the bitter, somewhat hateful and bizarrely preachy response to this nice video about Frank and the tower. Sad to see this level of negativity on such a positive story. Sayonara indeed...

[@ThisSentenceIsFalse]

The projection is strong in this one.

[@guitarmike37308]

Frank sounds chill enough to me.

[@gbem1]

A bit cringey colonial with the pilgrim statement, but otherwise a nice documentary about finding one's center.