At GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, influencer Beau Martino talks about new film, being a ‘dirtbag’
Content creator talks about his alternative lifestyle and new mockumentary
Courtesy photo
Beau Martino will shed some light on what it’s like to be a climber, content creator and dirtbag, not all in that order. Martino is in town for the annual GoPro Mountain Games and will be a part of the CoLab schedule on Saturday morning and will be screening his new film, “Not Just An Influencer” at Chasing Rabbits on Saturday afternoon.
While at the CoLab, Martino will be answering questions based on his vast travels. Questions like what’s the worst meal you’ve had out on the trail? Any romantic encounters out on the trail? He’ll also address his dirtbag status.
“I believe the term ‘dirtbag’ originated in the ’50s or ’60s with climbers hanging out in Yosemite Valley. The term really meant someone who would eschew traditional society or a traditional career or life path in order to pursue their passion,” Martino said. “I no longer live in my car, but for four years, from 2020 up until through 2023, I was living in my car traveling around rock climbing.”
Martino would live simply, traveling from crag to crag, chasing ideal temperatures and weather.
“So, I like to joke that, I was an amateur climber, but a professional dirtbag. I did that full time,” Martino said. “People would call me a climbing influencer or a content creator. But, once again, I joke that I was never paid because of my climbing ability. I was paid because I would make jokes about climbing and dirtbag culture.”
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“Not Just an Influencer” is a documentary, or rather a mockumentary where Martino pokes fun at the serious sport of climbing and the seemingly superficial profession of influencer.
“Climbing is such a hard sport with a bunch of people who really work hard to do it. It’s a sport that really takes itself seriously. And influencing is notorious for kind of the opposite. Faking things or doing things for ‘likes’ or doing things just for the visibility versus climbing, which is you’re doing it for the love of the sport,” Martino said. “So, these two things are at odds with each other and I figure if anyone can make a comedy out of it, I can.”
Martino does understand where seriousness fits into the sport of climbing.
“Yes, it can be dangerous, it is a serious sport. You can get injured. It is hard. But there’s also room for comedy,” Martino said. “And this is the film that came out of it, a mockumentary about an influencer trying to prove to the climbing community that he really belongs.”
Martino does actually belong in the climbing world. He has been doing the sport since 2015 and has climbed iconic faces in the Western United States, the Canadian Rockies, Southeast Asia, South America and more. But, as he says, he does it just for kicks and isn’t making any money off the sport.
“I’m just out there having fun and making jokes along the way,” Martino said.
Catch Dirtbag Confessions with Beau Martino at the CoLab stage at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday and then see his film, “Not Just an Influencer” at Chasing Rabbits. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Saturday and you can get your free ticket at MountainGames.com/Art.
