Saving Canada - The Mountain

By Peder Ourom, December 2024

The Mountain

The first segment of the commercial to be shot was scheduled for the summit of Mt. Rexford, I believe in order to have the rugged beauty of Mt. Slesse (the Matterhorn of the Coast Range), in the background. So, we got in the limo and drove up the logging roads to the trailhead, located outside Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley. Most of the production crew were not with us on this prep day, as they were organizing the helicopter filming, and probably trying to come up with a story board. They were not mountain savvy, and appreciated our advice and help now that we had moved into the mountains.

Although this was a beautiful and well-chosen location, the rough road we drove up was nasty on the vehicle. Cadillacs are not really a top choice for back road BC climbing trips, and it soon became apparent as to why. The vehicle of choice of the production team had a few flaws. The minimal clearance and huge turning radius of the monster vehicles resulted in many impacts on the frame and body, and they were not exactly in mint condition when returned. Negotiating the tight switchbacks up to the trailhead, the front wheels were often turned uphill, while the rear wheels remained in their muddy ruts. The plush vehicle interiors made us feel like movie stars, and the incredulous glances of the other vehicle drivers was priceless. Additionally, unlike our own beaters at the time, the switches and heaters and lights actually worked.

We then hiked up the trail with minimal loads, as the helicopter was to transport all the equipment, including camping, climbing, and wardrobe, that was required to complete the shoot. Fortunately, Rexford features nice weathered granite rock, and a spire like summit with excellent bivy locations. This is the opposite of the rotten rock on Slesse, with its lightning shattered summit. This was a wonderful choice by Dave, as another chore he had taken on was location scout.

After a helicopter equipment drop off in a high meadow, we picked up the gear and climbed a few mid fifth class pitches to the summit. We then had the most excellent mountain dinner we had ever had, wrapped in foil and still warm. We could have been attempting Everest in the 1930s, except instead of champagne, we had cold beer! In the morning, Tami and John dressed up for the shoot, and prepared for the action sequence to be filmed. Makeup, wardrobe, and the camera team were assisted out of the chopper, and were now standing on a very exposed mountain top, probably for the first time in their lives. The helicopter then returned to the valley, a door was removed, and the belted in camera man was ready to go.

Peter and I were the “riggers” and were hiding out of shot in little crevices, on the adjacent sub-peak. To our surprise the helicopter then arrived early, before the morning fog had cleared. The producer and his film crew then started to swear in that unique theatrical Hollywood producer kind of style. Some of the expressions I had never heard before.

The helicopter continued to circle until the clouds had lifted, and then all was declared ready for the second take. The actual money shot was a climber reaching out from the summit, with an outstretched hand, and pulling up the second climber to the summit. This was the Canadians helping other Canadians money shot, this was repeated a few times, until the director and camera operator decided that it was a wrap. As there was no way of viewing a video feed at the time, the result was not completely certain until the film was developed. The film was sent down to LA for overnight processing, and upon review, was confirmed to be of excellent quality.

Most of the equipment was then loaded into the helicopter, and we had an enjoyable descent off the peak, down the trail, and back to the logging road. The plush seats were very nice on the return drive, and helped cushion the blow of the suspensions repeatedly bottoming out.

So, a combination of Squamish climbers and MEC hippies had saved the country from breaking up. To this day, Dave, John, Peter, Tami, and I, are still waiting for the recognition that we deserve, such as an Order of Canada! We saved Canada, and don’t you forget it. A celebration dinner, another hotel night, and payment in $100 bills, finished off our deluxe alpine adventure in style.

The result was a big hit. Canadians pulling together, helping each other out, reaching for the summit. A historic marketing achievement, completed to perfection. It was used hundreds, if not thousands, of times across the country. I am not sure if it was clear if Quebec was the helping hand on the summit, or the rest of Canada, or if it matters.

Unfortunately, no copies or reproductions of this production exist.

Dave has attempted to find a copy of this commercial mountain film shoot, but has had no luck. With no digitization possible at the time, and the production company soon disappearing, no film record exists of this commercial. I still have a few slides from the shoot, and they are probably the only images that remain from the week. I am more than happy to pass them along to the Canadian Government, when our names arrive at the top of the Order of Canada list. After all, saving Canada from Pierre’s political blunder is something to be proud of. Neither the CBC nor the NFB was involved, just some hippie climbers and a LA production company, paid for by the Canadian Government. You will have to take my word for it.