Great Netflix Find: "180 Degrees South"

Occasionally you will see little snippets like this. Little reviews about movies, music or other types of media that catch my eye/ear. This time. It's a documentary movie I found on Netflix's Instant Streaming called: "180 (Degrees) South"

It's about a guy named Jeff Johnson who loves surfing and going on adventures. He tries not to stay stationary for too long and in his life and therefore is constantly on the move. One day Jeff learns about the exploits of outdoorsman Yvon Chouinard and his 1968 van trip to Patagonia, South America. Yvon Chouinard became the first and only person to climb to the top of Corcovado, a treacherous mountain in Patagonia. In 2007 Jeff makes it his ambition to go down to Patagonia and climb Corcovado and on the way get in a little surfing.

I have to say I had no idea what to expect when I started watching this. In the end though it was just a really cool story. Jeff spends a lot of time on the water heading to Chile. Along the way he stops on Rapa Nui (Aka Easter Island)  where they spend time to mend the boat that they were on meeting a new friend along the way, gaining a new respect for the Island, its culture, and the lessons learned from its history.

Ultimately they make it to Chile and take a small boat to Patagonia and finally the base of Corcovado. While in Chile they meet up with Yvon who has been living there for quite some time. Him and his wife have worked hard to buy land in the area as well as parts of Argentina to keep it as preserve land. Before Jeff leaves for Corcovado, Yvon decides to join them on the trip and go up the mountain.

This movie is just a great watch. It's quite inspiring. Watching this made me want to visit Rapa Nui even more than the first time I learned about the island. Either way though, a great little find on Netflix and a suggested watch. Stay tuned as I will periodically find some great little gems like this and let you know.