My Phantom
The 1600-metre Phantom Direct is a bold and challenging alpine ice route on the Grandes Jorasses which was first climbed in 1985. The route has only been traversed a few times and until recently never by a woman.
This short film is not only a report of the first women’s team on this route, but a highly personal story of a climber seeking her place in society and the climbing partner with whom she can feel completely herself.
On the back of her extraordinary climbing accomplishments, Line van den Berg was given a wildcard for Dutch Mountain Film Festival in 2022 for her cinematic diary. Her film was shown at many other mountain film festivals, where she presented her film with passion and enthusiasm.
On Friday 10 May 2023, no more than a week after she had been on the podium at the Alpen Film Festival in Munich, Line – just 30 years old – perished along with two other Dutch mountaineers whilst ascending the Grosshorn (3,754 m) in the Swiss Alps. They were preparing for an expedition to Hui Zom 2 in Pakistan this September, where Line wanted to make a film about a new climbing route. Sadly, My Phantom was to be her last film.
Line, we shall continue to share your message!
