"Still Alive" — When Climbing Becomes A Question of Survival
October 10 2024
Indoor and Outdoor Climbing
An accomplished climber and route setter who has fought for his life; get to know @klaaswillems in his inspiring film, "Still Alive”. This work has already been recognized in multiple notable international festivals, such as the Banff Film Festival, Rencontres du Cinéma de Montagne, the Kendal Mountain Festival the Alpin des Diablerets International Film Festival.
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For Klaas Willems, Climbing Is a Way of Life
"My whole life has been a fight. Doctors didn't think I had a good chance of growing old. Dealing with cystic fibrosis, cancer, and my own mind… growing up, I never felt like I was where I needed to be.
With climbing, I found my escape from the negative downward spiral — especially with bolting and climbing my own lines. You can give this specific rock your own story without thinking about the grade. Every struggle, physical or mental, is happening in your own mind. When I gave the route, "Still Alive", this story, it helped me push my limits and ignore the negative voices in my head. I am capable of climbing this! I can live longer!"
"No matter the odds, there is always a possibility"
"I never thought I would make it past the age of 25. Now, I'm 37 and it’s all thanks to the support I have from good friends, and a healthy dose of stubbornness — I refuse to give up!
I’m very grateful to Santino for documenting my story in the most honest way. Our goal was to inspire others that are dealing with their own struggles; to show that no matter the odds, there is always a possibility. No matter how small the objective, you gotta keep trying. Bukowski said it best, "Find what you love and let it kill you".
"I don't love cystic fibrosis. I don't love cancer. I love climbing, and I love life! Like all of us, there will come a day that I don’t win the battle. I learned to accept that many years ago. But at least I’ve made my life worth living. And that's all that matters. I tried... and I'm still alive!"