The Movie Star and the Mountain: On Robert Redford’s Sundance Origin Story
I. The first time he sees it, a chord is struck inside him. He is overcome by a kind of excitement he has no words for. The mountain looms above him. Sheer rock walls rise, snow-covered up top with patches
In 1954, a young man named Robert Redford was on his way home from the University of Colorado when he made a life-changing discovery. While driving through the mountains, he came across Timpanogos, a mountain that would hold a special place in his heart. The sheer rock walls, snow-covered peaks, and lush green meadows below the aspens caught his attention, and he found himself drawn to the mountain's beauty.
As he hiked closer to the mountain, Redford noticed a constant flow of water cascading down its sides, leaving behind orange-stained rock. The sound of the water, both powerful and soothing, filled his ears as he stood beneath its might. The experience left a profound impact on him, filling him with a sense of awe and wonder.
Redford realized that Timpanogos was not just a mountain, but a place that would hold a deep significance in his life. He knew that he needed to return to this place, to stand below its majesty and feel connected to something greater than himself. So, he made a vow to himself, promising to return and put a stake down on the property he would later purchase. It would be this same mountain that would shape his life and inspire his future endeavors.
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