Enthused acutely by an expedition of two environmentalists, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins, in 1968, Jeff Johnson sees retracing it as his aim and travels from California to the southern tip of Chile. Jeff talks with both the legends and his heroes too. This surf-mountaineer then plans a tour to Patagonia, Chile and puts climbing the Corcovado Volcano there on the top of his agenda. Here the notion of this documentary originates. Directed by Chris Malloy, 180° South is a 2010 documentary that depicts the strong will and attempt of Jeff to climb the peak of Corcovado. Film starts with the footage of the 1968’s trip of Yvon and Doug and then goes on with one that shot on Jeff’s expedition. Unlike Yvon and Doug who had used a second hand van to travel to the Chile, Jeff takes his vessel named “Sea Bar” to warm waters of Mexico’s Pacific coast.
The movie has some adventure water sports like surfing and sailing to make audience enthralled. Followed by some adverse climate that bestows Jeff an opportunity to witness the rich wildlife on Galapagos Islands, he moves ahead. Unfortunately, the Sea Bar shatters enforcing a pause in his jaunt at Rapa Nui, probably the most far-flung terrain on the earth. There, he encounters a local woman and then his travel partner, Makohe, and reveals the giant carved stone structures called MOAI to the viewers.
The movie has its climax in Patagonia where Jeff finally meets with his heroes - Yvon and Doug. He then endeavors the summit of Corcovado (which unfortunately halts at 200 feet down from the peak). After an unsuccessful attempt to conquer Corcovado, he volunteers in the conservation mission there. This documentary goes a long way with Jeff’s six months pursuit to climb a volcano named Corcavado that is in Chilean Patagonia. The film actually encourages viewer with a message of conservationism depicted in it. Since Jeff’s struggle to protect environment and natural places is also shown in this documentary, it truly has a meaning beyond adventure or just surfing, sailing and climbing.
