REI Presents: Frank and the Tower 

Frank put me, and my then climbing partner, up in his place in the winter of 2002. He took pity on a couple of guys from Colorado who showed up to climb the Tower in the middle of winter when all the campsites were closed and there was no place to stay. Maybe pity isn't the right word. There was the opportunity to make a human connection and I doubt the guy has ever turned that down. He even cooked us dinner that night and sent us on to the base of the Tower with a full stomach the morning of the climb. Frank is a prince, a saint. I hope you see this message, Frank. I hope you understand that your generosity and stories have stayed with me for these sixteen years.

I met Frank today. I'm a Librarian and he came in and played Gershwin on our Piano for everyone coming through. Beautiful music man, I hope to meet you again!!

Frank has also hosted hundreds of touring cyclists over the many years. My stay at Devils Tower Lodge this summer was unmistakably one of the highlights of my 7,000-mile tour around the US and Canada. What an inspiration to be our authentic selves and enjoy our limited time here. Cannot thank you enough for hosting me. I hope I make it back to the Lodge some time soon. Please keep it as sacred as it was in the summer of 2023. Godspeed

The Mountains are calling and I must go. The call of the mountains intensified every second I was watching this.

I met Frank in September of 2006. I was climbing the tower with my friends and fellow guides transitioning our guiding company from one owner to another. Frank was inspirational, kind, funny, and just a blast to share the top of the tower with. He came walking up to our group with cornrows and a tie dye shirt soloing laps on the tower and rapping down. Such a great guy and ambassador for climbing, I feel lucky to have spent those few moments with him.

hands down, best film about life and climbing! thank you Frank

This is a truly brilliant film. The photography, the audio, the music, the narration, the FEELING. I wish I could make a film as great as this!

That's one of the most energetic and ecstatic old man I've ever seen.

Frank has been coming to the gym I work for the past week and he has been one of the coolest guys to talk to!

Well, this was unexpected...I dont climb but this film left a hell of an impact, mostly due to this extraordinary man. Thank you for making an sharing this. Frank is a real inspiration for doing what you love - man, he sure looks happy..Very well done.

Absolutely AWESOME! I have watched this many times and it still gives me chills every time.

This was pure magic. Enjoyed every second of this short film. Way to go REI.

Thanks a lot REI and all those resposible (directors) for telling us about Frank

Wow !!!! Respect ... Finding your place ... it is so easy to let that slip by. Thank You for this great production 👏🏻

So wonderful to see someone so truly enjoy life and really get what it is about, Keep climbing Frank

This is really nicely made guys. Recent (ish) fan of Duct Tape Then Beer, and Semi-Rad, and this is just lovely. Thanks for your work & passion.

It was an honor to meet you today, Frank! Rock on! 🙌

Climbing Devil's Tower in 2003 was okay I guess. Meeting Frank Sanders was something I will always remember. One of the greatest people I've ever met. "Blessed are those who achieve their dreams"

Frank I met you a few weeks ago. I came to shower but it was snowing so I “showered “ in the sink. I live in my minivan. I’m grateful for this video and for your sobriety and for mine. Hiking is how I sober myself I’ve hiked all across America traveling from trail to trail. Was a pleasure meeting you and I can’t wait to meet you again. I use to climb too! I will again someday and I’ll be on that tower with you !

"The tower wants to be climbed; and it will show you exactly where to put your hands, and where to put your feet." It thought this was quite profound!

This was absolutely beautiful.. Long live Frank. Climb on brother.

Great job with another amazing film.

Love this story, so well done!

Frank is a legend! The tower is not the same without him…

This is so inspiring, loved it.

I just met Frank. He was so kind.

15 seconds in and I want to get to know this guy

Hands down, best film about meaning of life!

amazing story... Ok ok,,,, I will go for a trail run today.. thanks for the motivation

That's an incredible guy, story, and life!

Thanks Frank. Thanks REI. Gave away the alcohol molecule five years ago. No regrets except I wish I had never started as like cigarettes it was a mere mask for anxiety and depression. Oh well it took me forty years and now I have insight I did not have at fifteen and later. No regrets about the people I meet. The outdoors, go outside and play.

these are awesome! keep them coming.

My new hero! How could vote thumbs down to this??

Frank is one awesome cool dude A true rockstar and awesome narrator.

really loved this video!

amazing and inspirational..

Thanks for sharing this story. Hope to make it out to climb the tower in fall this year, or spring of '19 Also just wondering what is the classical song on piano at 8:15, before Linus & Lucy?

Keep Climbin' Frank - The tower is magical place

Does anybody know the name of the song at the opening scene? Amazing intro.

I've cried..

Magnifico esse vídeo.

Enjoyed!

Amazing simply amazing 💪🏽

Why no captions?

You go Frank.

Anyone know the name of the song that Frank plays in the beginning?

Such a cool video

It's uncanny how our lives can parallel with others that you don't know.

The Bob Ross of the climbing world.

Love it, very nice, but the music is too loud - hard to hear Frank's words which are so meaningful.

Very good

Bravo!

nice technical song. my new super hero. iz a sober happy sob too. in the test of time ill be like this man

Great!

NICE INTRO!!!

He belongs to my list of " Heavy Bros"

I want to be like Frank!

Great story. Keep climbing until you can go no more!

The kind of man you want to meet.

Ka is like a wheel

Your decision to stop being drunk after 33 years is so damn true.

Liana Kirk! 4:56

Frank was only 62 when this was filmed? Jeez...I thought he was about 82! I was thinking, not bad for an old guy.

Frank, I climbed with you in 1993, after first meeting you on the bench in front of the store at Devils Tower. The person in this video, a self-absorbed blowhard, is not the person I had met and climbed with. Where you were once drunk on alcohol, you're now drunk on yourself. I've seen weed do this to a person. Sayanora!

A bit cringey colonial with the pilgrim statement, but otherwise a nice documentary about finding one's center.