Epic Fall from Film Freja's Back

All-round climber Freja Shannon is back again for 2024. In the late alpine season of 2023 Freja took a serious fall on the committing North Face of the Droites in the French Alps resulting in a broken back. This film tell’s Freja’s story of initial horror and doubts to a full physical recovery. In Freja’s inimitable style and despite the physio’s prognosis, Freja returns to walking and then climbing in an unusually short time frame.

We follow the ups and downs of Freja’s rehabilitation, go on a near calamatus ascent of The Forbes Arete (Aiguille du Chardonnet) which sets up the main objective in the Swiss Alps. Here Freja attempts an ascent of ‘Ave Ceasar’ an immaculate 7c trad route on the spectacular Petit Clocher du Portalet. Whilst physically recovered, as the story transpires it seems the psycological aspects of such a traumatic event may take more time to heal.