Welcome to our new series “Origins” — a fun video concept developed with the crew at Evolv Shoes, and also sponsored by Mountain Gear. “Origins” focuses on climbing’s rich history, following top athletes of today as they team up with their heroes from the past, and attempt to climb the iconic (and iconoclastic) routes of earlier generations.

The First “Origins” episode features two climbing stars: Kurt Smith, who put up some badass routes in Joshua Tree in 1988, and Chris Lindner, who was sending 5.12 routes when he was 5 years old. In this “Origins” episode, Chris sets out to climb Kurts slab test-piece on The Dunce Cap, UNREPEATED for 22 years — right in the heart of J-Tree climbing.

Directed by Rob Frost, and filmed by Frost with Russell Holcomb, this is a short film about Chris journey to do the second ascent of this forgotten Joshua Tree classic.

Stay tuned for more “Origins” episodes online and on the 2010 REEL ROCK Film Tour.