A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides(2026)
He conquered the mountains, then showed us the way
A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides Synopsis
A gripping look at mountain guiding and its deep roots in the legacy of Paul Petzoldt — founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School and North America’s oldest guide service, Exum. The film weaves the story of a modern climb gone wrong with the life of Petzoldt, a pioneer who scaled K2, set records on the Matterhorn, trained soldiers to fight Nazis in the Alps, and defined adventure itself. Featuring today’s mountain guides alongside rare archival footage and breathtaking cinematography from Wyoming and France, this feature-length documentary explores risk, grit, mentorship, and the enduring call of the mountains.
A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides (2026) is a documentary film directed by Mat Hames, released on January 17, 2026 with a runtime of 1h 27m. It stars Paul Petzoldt, Glenn Exum, Jessica Baker and Brenton Reagan. Viewers rate it 10.0 out of 10 across 1 ratings.
- Director:
- Mat Hames
- Producers:
- Laura Utt
- Production:
- Wyoming PBS, Alpheus Media
- Status:
- Released
A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides Cast & Crew
Main cast
Paul Petzoldt
Glenn Exum
as Himself
- Jessica Baker
Jessica Baker
as Herself
- Brenton Reagan
Brenton Reagan
- Morgan McGlashon
Morgan McGlashon
Key crew
Directed by Mat Hames, produced by Laura Utt.
Explore more Documentary titles
A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides Reviews & Ratings
Average viewer score of 10.0/10 from 1 ratings.
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A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides online?
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A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides (2026) does not have a confirmed streaming, rental or digital purchase option listed for your region yet. Availability is refreshed regularly, so check back for updates.
Who stars in A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides?
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The main cast of A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides (2026) includes Paul Petzoldt, Glenn Exum, Jessica Baker, Brenton Reagan and Morgan McGlashon. The film was directed by Mat Hames. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides released?
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A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides was released on January 17, 2026 and runs for 1h 27m.
Is A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides worth watching?
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A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides (2026) holds an average rating of 10.0 out of 10 from 1 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy documentary films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.