Bringing a 1976 Yosemite mystery home, “High Ground” captures the untold story of the Camp 4 climbers who turned a high-country plane crash into mountain folklore.
Yosemite Cinema announced the exclusive world premiere of High Ground, a gripping new documentary from four-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker Daniel Sharp. This highly anticipated film explores the intersection of myth and memory surrounding the famous 1976 plane crash in Yosemite National Park, and the daring Camp 4 climbers who became the center of a local legend.
The world premiere event will take place on September 5, beginning with an opening red carpet reception at 6 p.m., followed by the first global screening at 7. Notably, Yosemite Cinema is the first theatre in the world to show the feature film, offering an unmatched experience for the mountain community and climbing enthusiasts alike.
High Ground delves into the “local legend” of a drug-smuggling plane that crashed into a frozen lake deep in Yosemite’s high country. While Park Rangers assumed the cargo was safely hidden under the ice until spring, the athletic climbers of Yosemite’s Camp 4 heard the rumors, ventured into the winter wilderness, and emerged with stories and wealth that would grow for 50 years.
The film features Ken Yager, the founder of the Yosemite Climbing Museum, and a participant in the original recovery mission, as he confronts the gap between the truth and the myths that defined a generation.
“I came to this story chasing an adventure, but what I found was something far more human” Sharp said. “These are the last voices of a disappearing generation, and I felt a profound responsibility to honor the complexity of what they lived through, not just the legend they left behind.”
The premiere event will feature appearances by Sharp and Yager, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with the creators and subjects of this eight-year production. Tickets are now available for the September 5 premiere at www.yosemitecinema.com/movie/high-ground.