The Sacred Mountains of China Kicks Off Travel Film Series
Presented by Bay City Noon Optimist Club
November 11, 2016
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By: Pati LaLonde
Ryan Pyle looks over the city of Kailash
Ryan Pyle and crew dress for the extreme weather conditions as they travel the sacred mountains of China.
Although he makes his home in the big city of Shanghai, China, filmmaker Ryan Pyle never gives up the opportunity to head out into the wilderness with camera in hand.
On Nov. 14 Pyle will make a trip to Bay City to show season one of Extreme Treks: The Sacred Mountains of China, to kick off the Bay City Noon Optimist Club Travel and Adventure Film Series.
A film series, he says that pushed him to his physical limits.
"It had a lot of meaning," he said. "It affected me in a lot of personal ways. Much more so than the motorcycle shows I did for the Travel Channel. There was a lot of risk. I wasn't sure if this kind of show would be a journey that would translate into a TV show. But I had such a positive experience, it was incredible.
"It was physically and mentally challenging as well," he added. "You think, can you do it, walk around the mountains 1,600 feet above sea level, can you keep moving every day in the snow and rain."
He describes it as some of the most authentic and extreme travel experiences ever filmed in China, and life changing.
"Shanghai is a city of 30 million people," he said. "There is no green space. Whenever I have the chance to get out into the wilderness to reconnect with nature and peaceful, beautiful things I do. The culture is different around the sacred mountains, and with the locals, it's more powerful. All these really strong experiences combined and it was life changing for me."
Life changing indeed, given the fact Pyle is a native of Toronto where he played basketball for the University of Toronto.
Describing college life as a wonderful experience, when he graduated he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life.
Twenty-two years ago he moved to China and decided to dedicate his life to traveling the world and telling stories.
"I worked for the New York Times, Time and Newsweek," he said. "I wanted to tell bigger stories and moved to documentary TV. It was a conscience decision. I get to see places people don't get to see and go."
Pyle will do a Q & A after the film.
All eight seasons of Extreme Treks: Sacred Mountains of China will be shown on the Discovery Channel.
The film series continues Jan. 16 with Hawaii & The South Pacific and March 27 with Cuba's Secret Side.
Films begin at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave.
Season tickets are $20 and available at all Bay County branches of Chemical Bank, AAA Travel, 1111 S. Euclid Ave., Herter Music Center, 901 Washington Av.e, and at the State Theatre.
Tickets at the door are $8 per show.
For more information on Pyle check out http://www.ryanpyle.com
Children of KawaKarpo
Pati LaLonde
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Pati is a freelance writer with experience in all things pertaining to Bay County, Michigan.
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