Abaporu means “man who eats,” a symbol of transformation and influence. An idea that defines Felipe’s journey.
Some climbs stay with you, not because of the grade, but because of the role they play in who you become. For Felipe Camargo, the line at the center of his new film is one of those rare routes that ties the past and the present together.
A Place That Built a Climber
When asked what drew him to this specific line, Felipe didn’t hesitate. For him, the route’s importance goes far beyond difficulty.
“It’s a special place for me, a place I’ve been going to since I was like 14 years old. It really shaped me as a climber. I learned how to properly sport climb there, how to work on a route. I think my first ever first ascent was there.”
Returning to this crag wasn’t just revisiting a project. It was returning to the place where everything started.
After completing an older project he’d been eyeing for years, a new possibility caught his attention: a harder, more direct start that linked into that same old line.
“I saw the possibility of a harder start into it, and that’s the start I bolted. I bolted it in 2023, tried it a bit last year, and this year it became one of my main focuses.”
The result, this new first ascent, became the heart of the film.
Preparation: A Race Against the Season
The physical and mental preparation for the route mirrored the intensity of the line itself.
“I prepared like I do for any other project, training hard and trying to be ready physically. But mentally, it was a challenge.”
The season was short. Work obligations took up the first part of the year, and by the time Felipe arrived at the crag, time was already working against him.
“I didn’t really have that much time. I was there for like a month and a half, maybe a little under two months, trying it. In the end, it came down to the very last days of the season. I think I did it maybe the last day. So it was a battle mentally for sure.”
Local Energy & Support
Despite the stress of the season, Felipe says he never felt alone on the project. The energy of the local community kept him going.
“There are a lot of people who were supportive and inspiring, but mostly the local climbers from São Paulo. It’s a great community. A lot of climbers live in the town, and it’s always really nice to feel the energy from everyone.”
Whenever he returned to the line, the psyche was unmistakable.
“Everyone is super psyched when I’m there trying a project. I really feel the support.”
That shared excitement and the belief that something meaningful is possible shaped the process as much as the actual climbing.
Inspiring What Comes Next
Felipe hopes the film and the climb amplify something bigger: awareness of an incredible region that deserves more attention on the world stage.
“Hopefully this climb will inspire more people to come to Brazil, other pro climbers too. I hope people come to São Paulo and discover this amazing place.”
Because for him, it’s not just about the route.
“It’s not just the climbing. The whole place is amazing, great community, amazing waterfalls, just a great area to visit, even on rest days.”
Through this film, Felipe invites climbers to experience the landscape, culture, people, and history that shaped his own journey.
A Project That Comes Full Circle
This ascent wasn’t simply about pushing his limits; it was about giving something back to a crag that gave him so much. A harder start. A new line. A story that spans decades.