A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides
“He conquered the mountains, then showed us the way”
Synopsis
A gripping look at mountain guiding and its deep roots in the legacy of Paul Petzoldt — founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School and North America’s oldest guide service, Exum. The film weaves the story of a modern climb gone wrong with the life of Petzoldt, a pioneer who scaled K2, set records on the Matterhorn, trained soldiers to fight Nazis in the Alps, and defined adventure itself. Featuring today’s mountain guides alongside rare archival footage and breathtaking cinematography from Wyoming and France, this feature-length documentary explores risk, grit, mentorship, and the enduring call of the mountains.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
July 19, 2026
VOD & Digital Platforms
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Mat Hames
- Original Title
- A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 27m
- Production Studios
- Wyoming PBS, Alpheus Media
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Mat Hames
Sean McQueeney
Beth Hames, Laura Utt, Joanna Kail, Judd Rogers
Department Leadership Roster
Mat Hames
Director
Laura Utt
Producer
Sean McQueeney
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides.
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Frequently Asked Questions About A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides about?
A gripping look at mountain guiding and its deep roots in the legacy of Paul Petzoldt — founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School and North America’s oldest guide service, Exum. The film weaves the story of a modern climb gone wrong with the life of Petzoldt, a pioneer who scaled K2, set records on the Matterhorn, trained soldiers to fight Nazis in the Alps, and defined adventure itself. Featuring today’s mountain guides alongside rare archival footage and breathtaking cinematography from Wyoming and France, this feature-length documentary explores risk, grit, mentorship, and the enduring call of the mountains.
Who directed A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides?
A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides was directed by Mat Hames.
Who stars in A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides?
The principal cast of A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides includes Paul Petzoldt, Glenn Exum, Jessica Baker, Brenton Reagan, Morgan McGlashon.
When was A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides released and how long is it?
A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 1h 27m.