Ron Kauk

Acting

Ron Kauk

Born

1957-11-23 (68)

Place of birth

Redwood City, California, USA

Known for

Acting

Credits

16 titles

Ron Kauk, born September 23, 1957, in Redwood City, California, is an American professional climber. He is a pioneer of rock climbing and a resident of Camp 4 in Yosemite National Park. Ron Kauk's first experiences with rock climbing date back to when he was fourteen, when he hiked through Yosemite on a school backpacking trip. That same summer, he and his brother enrolled in a climbing course in Tuolumne Meadows. "In town, I climbed the school walls, did at least 100 pull-ups a day, and practically memorized the Yosemite route guidebook." During the summer of 1973, Ron spent his weekends in Yosemite and was drawn to the "Stonemasters," a group of climbers who stayed at Camp 4 in tents and…

Known for

Vertical Frontier poster
9.0

From John Muir in the 1860s to today's super-athletes, Vertical Frontier tells the rich and captivating saga of these free-spirited climbers whose contributions to the techniques, equipment, and ethics of mountaineering enabled them to be the first to conquer Yosemite's legendary big walls. Illustrated with spectacular footage, both old and new, shot on these granite walls, the story is told by the climbers whose artistry and relentless determination helped launch a sport now enjoyed by millions around the world, including David Brower, Warren Harding, Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Tom Frost, Jim Bridwell, Lynn Hill, Hans Florine, Dean Potter, and many others. Their epic feats range from the first ascent of El Capitan, which took 45 days over a year and a half, to today's speed climbers who complete the same route in under three hours.

Vertical Frontier

2002

Valley Uprising poster
7.7

In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service. And up on the walls, generation after generation has pushed the limits of climbing, vying amongst each other for supremacy on Yosemite's cliffs. "Valley Uprising" is the riveting, unforgettable tale of this bold rock climbing tradition in Yosemite National Park: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity -- and the laws of the land.

Valley Uprising

2014

Masters of Stone 1 poster
10.0

Masters of stone I is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in City Of Rocks and American Fork Canyon. It was directed by Eric Perlman in 1991 and produced by Perlman Productions. It is a part of the series Masters of stone (1/6). It features Ron Kauk, Tony Yaniro, Dan Osman, John Bachar, Todd Skinner, Boone Speed and others.

Masters of Stone 1

1991

The Search for Freedom poster
7.2

THE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM is the story of a cultural revolution fueled by the human desire to live in the moment and do what makes you feel the most alive. We discover how an electrifying new world came about through pure energy and imagination and the infinite possibilities of self-expression available to anyone willing to drop in. This documentary, written and directed by Jon Long (IMAX® Extreme), is a visceral, visual experience told through the eyes some of the brightest pioneers, legends, visionaries and champions of surfing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, mountain biking and more.

The Search for Freedom

2015

Masters of Stone IV - Pure Force poster
10.0

DAN OSMAN Speed Free-Solo / Major Air RON KAUK5.14b Yosemite and Tuolumne CA CHRIS SHARMA5.13d Mickey's Beach and Pinnacles CA ALEX HUBER 5.14d Siurana SPAIN JOHN BACHAR 5.12 Solo Red Rocks NV KATIE BROWN5.13+ Red River Gorge KY JB TRIBOUT AND BOBBI BENSMAN: Rifle CO

Masters of Stone IV - Pure Force

1997

Arrowhead poster
10.0

Climber Patrick Edlinger visits various climbing areas in the American West, including Joshua Tree (routes and bouldering), Yosemite (bouldering), Hueco Tanks (bouldering), and Smith Rock (routes). He is seen climbing alongside Russ Clune, Ron Kauk, Jean-Paul Lemercier, and Todd Skinner in numerous sequences accompanied by Native American-inspired music composed by Benoît Fromanger. Less well-known than his two previous films, "La Vie au bout des doigts" and "Opéra Vertical," it remains a benchmark for all climbing enthusiasts and admirers of Edlinger, the world's most famous climber. His familiar voice provides narration throughout many sequences with iconic phrases that encapsulate the man, such as: "Climbing, this useless thing to which I dedicate my life."

Arrowhead

1989

Film credits

2010s · 4 titles

Valley Uprising poster
7.7

In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service. And up on the walls, generation after generation has pushed the limits of climbing, vying amongst each other for supremacy on Yosemite's cliffs. "Valley Uprising" is the riveting, unforgettable tale of this bold rock climbing tradition in Yosemite National Park: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity -- and the laws of the land.

Valley Uprising

2014

The Search for Freedom poster
7.2

THE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM is the story of a cultural revolution fueled by the human desire to live in the moment and do what makes you feel the most alive. We discover how an electrifying new world came about through pure energy and imagination and the infinite possibilities of self-expression available to anyone willing to drop in. This documentary, written and directed by Jon Long (IMAX® Extreme), is a visceral, visual experience told through the eyes some of the brightest pioneers, legends, visionaries and champions of surfing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, mountain biking and more.

The Search for Freedom

2015

John Gill Across Time poster
NR

This is a gorgeous ode about rock climbing and time passing, with John Gill, the spiritual genius, at its center. Remarkable voices emerge to paint the picture of the great master boulderer, John Gill. Individuals who have been part of it all, such as Ron Kauk, Rich Goldstone, Tom Higgins, Royal Robbins, John Sherman, and filmmaker Pat Ament himself. New footage uncovered of Gill enriches these images, and his voice too comes alive with detailed analysis of some of his iconic climbs. As deep and touching as the first film, 'The disciples of Gill', this second incarnation continues but stands alone as well, as a work of art itself.

John Gill Across Time

2012

Assault on El Capitan poster
NR

The story of Wings of Steel is part legend and part myth. The first ascent team spent 39 days climbing the controversial route. The result - death threats, physical assaults and a slander campaign that polarized the climbing community for over 30 years.

Assault on El Capitan

2013

2000s · 3 titles

Vertical Frontier poster
9.0

From John Muir in the 1860s to today's super-athletes, Vertical Frontier tells the rich and captivating saga of these free-spirited climbers whose contributions to the techniques, equipment, and ethics of mountaineering enabled them to be the first to conquer Yosemite's legendary big walls. Illustrated with spectacular footage, both old and new, shot on these granite walls, the story is told by the climbers whose artistry and relentless determination helped launch a sport now enjoyed by millions around the world, including David Brower, Warren Harding, Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Tom Frost, Jim Bridwell, Lynn Hill, Hans Florine, Dean Potter, and many others. Their epic feats range from the first ascent of El Capitan, which took 45 days over a year and a half, to today's speed climbers who complete the same route in under three hours.

Vertical Frontier

2002

Jim Bridwell, The Yosemite Living Legend poster
10.0

Jim Bridwell was one of the best climbers in the world in the 70s, 80s. The documentary chronicles Bridwell's career from those early days to his final ascents in 2001. The film traces Jim Bridwell's journey through numerous interviews with other legendary free climbing personalities such as Leo Houlding and Ron Kauk. See him climb some of Yosemite's historic routes with today's young climbers paying homage to this true legend of free climbing. In an unpublished document from 1981, he is seen in one of his famous Zodiac ascents in El Capitan with and Fred East.

Jim Bridwell, The Yosemite Living Legend

2005

Dosage III poster
7.5

Dosage III has it all: Top climbers, exotic locations, historic first ascents, and a variety of styles (bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, and deep water soloing).

Dosage III

2005

1990s · 5 titles

Masters of Stone 1 poster
10.0

Masters of stone I is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in City Of Rocks and American Fork Canyon. It was directed by Eric Perlman in 1991 and produced by Perlman Productions. It is a part of the series Masters of stone (1/6). It features Ron Kauk, Tony Yaniro, Dan Osman, John Bachar, Todd Skinner, Boone Speed and others.

Masters of Stone 1

1991

Masters of Stone IV - Pure Force poster
10.0

DAN OSMAN Speed Free-Solo / Major Air RON KAUK5.14b Yosemite and Tuolumne CA CHRIS SHARMA5.13d Mickey's Beach and Pinnacles CA ALEX HUBER 5.14d Siurana SPAIN JOHN BACHAR 5.12 Solo Red Rocks NV KATIE BROWN5.13+ Red River Gorge KY JB TRIBOUT AND BOBBI BENSMAN: Rifle CO

Masters of Stone IV - Pure Force

1997

Masters of Stone II - Hard Rock poster
9.0

Masters of Stone I & II feature 2 hours of climbing action in renowned locations including Yosemite, The Needles, Smith Rock, American Fork, Owens River, City Of Rocks, Donner Summit, Wild Iris, Red Rocks, Mt. Charleston and more. This is classic "old school" climbing at its best.

Masters of Stone II - Hard Rock

1993

Totem poster
10.0

Two climbers, a photographer and an eagle in the western setting of Monument Valley, USA. The climbers, who are experts, reveal the secrets of their acrobatic skill. The photographer is the spectator who often involuntarily creates comical situations.

Totem

1990

The Wall Crawler: The Verticle Adventures of Alain Robert poster
10.0

A breathtaking look at The French Spiderman, Alain Robert, a lone climber who scales tall buildings, bridges and cliffs all over the world. His physical training and climbing technique allows him to climb using window sills and frames. From its height of 180 meters, the Citigroup Center in Chicago will be the first of a long series of more than 170 buildings that Alain Robert will climb.

The Wall Crawler: The Verticle Adventures of Alain Robert

1998

1980s · 1 titles