SUPER futuristic climbing

There’s a video contest over at Mellow Climbing, which means one thing: a fresh drop of dirtbag cinema, where chalky fingers meet moody soundtracks, and every flannel-clad hero gets their shot at onscreen glory. I dove into all four submissions—and came out with opinions, takes, and an irrational urge to develop boulders in the Appalachian backwoods.

Here’s a breakdown of the contenders.

1. Before the Send – Work-in-Progress Energy

This video has a theme of boulder development—scrubbing holds, deciphering sequences, and making something out of seemingly nothing. It’s got the bones of a good story, but the skin’s a little rough.

The visuals aren’t super polished, and the editing occasionally drifts. But the rawness does lend it a kind of sincerity—like you’re watching a couple friends in the middle of figuring something out, not just with the rock, but maybe with filmmaking, too.

There are real sparks here: moments of puzzling through beta, near-sends, and those beautiful in-between shots where someone just stares at the wall, dreaming up motion. But it feels more like a sketch than a final piece.

Vibe: “We’re gonna make this work, even if we don’t know how yet.”

2. Wrestling with Elephants – Chalky Hugs and Chill Ascents

This one is just fun. Like, campfire-in-your-soul, lip-smiles-all-around fun.

There’s no high drama. No crushing V17s. No existential dirtbagging. Just friends romping through pretty landscapes, climbing pretty rocks, and clearly having a pretty great time. It’s almost aggressively chill, like a Patagonia commercial if Patagonia also sold beanbag chairs and oat milk lattes.

There’s a freedom here that’s refreshing. Nobody’s proving anything. Nobody’s bleeding into a kneebar. It’s movement for movement’s sake—a hang with bonus grip strength.

Vibe: Summer camp for adult climbers.

3.Utah Update – Beanies, Baggy Pants, and Beta Dumping

This one rolls in with that classic post-sesh high energy: hard sends, fast cuts, and the unmistakable aesthetic of dudes who definitely moonboard on rest days.

You know the type. The boulders are burly and the effort is real. There’s some real climbing here—problems that demand respect and core tension—and it’s fun to watch strong climbers make big moves look breezy.

But compared to the other entries, Utah Update plays it safe. It’s a well-made climbing reel, but doesn’t break form or offer a new angle. Think of it as the reliable power spotter of the group—it’s not taking creative risks, but it’s doing solid work.

Vibe: That one homie who never skips beanie day.

4. Appalachian Lines – Less Spray, More Soul

If you’ve ever brushed moss off a boulder with a stick brush and a dream, Appalachian Lines is going to hit you right in the feels. It’s quiet. It’s deliberate. It’s about walking into the woods, seeing a hunk of stone no one’s touched, and deciding, “Yeah, this matters.”

Visually, it’s easily the strongest of the bunch. Every shot feels composed. The pacing gives you room to breathe. There’s no filler—just a well-crafted rhythm of scouting, cleaning, trying, and finally unlocking movement that didn’t exist yesterday.

But what really sets it apart is the restraint. This isn’t a flex piece. It’s not begging for likes. It’s honest. Grounded. You can feel the respect for the rock, the land, the process. It’s a love letter to climbing—not the crowds or the cameras, but the solitude and curiosity that keep us bushwhacking for new lines.

Vibe: A meditation on new blocks, told with stories and brush strokes.

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Final Thoughts: Who Topped Out the Edit?

Each of these shorts has something to offer—from chill hangs to raw sends to thoughtful progression. But if we’re awarding the crown for Best Overall Vibes, it’s Appalachian Lines all the way for us over here at SUPER Futuristic.

It didn’t need the hardest climbs or flashiest fits. It just told a quiet, beautiful story—and that, sometimes, is the hardest thing to pull off.

Go vote at https://mellowclimbing.com/pages/rock-games