Patagonia Filmmaking — The Full Circle° Expedition on Volcán Corcovado
Patagonia Adventure Filmmaking — Behind the Scenes of Full Circle°
Inspired by 180° South: The Birth of Full Circle° In 2019, I joined Erich Roepke, Rafael Pease, and my brother Thor Retzlaff on a once-in-a-lifetime Patagonia expedition to attempt the first ski descent of Volcán Corcovado—a remote, jungle-wrapped volcano in southern Chile. Inspired by the legendary film 180° South, which deeply influenced how we view adventure, nature, and purpose, our film Full Circle° aimed to honor that legacy while creating something uniquely our own.
Entering the Jungle: Adventure Filmmaking Begins We began our journey near Chaitén, Chile, catching a ride from local fishermen into the fjords. Dropped on a beach with no road in sight, we hiked rugged coastline before making camp. That first night, torrential rain flooded our gear—a powerful welcome from Patagonia.
From there, we plunged into dense jungle, machetes in hand, hoping to find a route to the base of the volcano. We bushwhacked through leech-infested bogs and canopy-thick forest, sometimes gaining only 100 meters in hours. At one point, we ended up in the treetops without realizing it. It was wild, disorienting, and beautiful.
Redefining the Route — From Jungle to Canyons The original route was impassable, so we pivoted—backtracking and entering a canyon system we hoped would guide us to the snow line. What followed was raw canyoneering: climbing waterfalls, swimming pools of glacier melt, and scrambling through polished volcanic rock.
The terrain finally gave way to alpine as we reached the flanks of Corcovado. The jungle chaos faded behind us, replaced by wind-scoured ridgelines and a snowy silence.
Ice Climbing, Skinning, and the Pursuit of Purpose We transitioned to skis and ice tools, climbing through blue crevasses and steep snowfields. The summit was in reach—but so were our limits. This wasn’t about conquest. It was about questioning: Could the journey matter even if we didn’t summit? Could failure be part of the story? In the end, we skied steep volcanic faces, carved lines on untouched terrain, and felt something bigger than a goal—something like truth.
Behind the Camera: Filming a Patagonia Ski Expedition As filmmakers and athletes, we carried everything ourselves—film and still cameras, drones, lenses, solar panels. Thor, Erich, and I handled cinematography, while Erich directed and documented our evolving narrative. Thro was the Director of Photography while Erich and I also focused on still images.
Shooting in Patagonia tested everything. It rained so much and I have never been so wet. Camera gear and electronics, plus rain equals a bad idea. Gear failed in the wet and cold. Drones fought winds or fell to the ground with torrential rain. We filmed in the jungle, the canyons, and on snow—all without a support crew. Every moment was real. Every shot was earned.
The Wildlife and Isolation of Southern Patagonia Amid the chaos, Patagonia’s wildlife revealed itself. We saw Andean condors soaring above the cliffs and the lush rainforest revealed some not-so-pleasant creatures.. Leeches found their way underneath our clothes constantly while we were in the jungle. The isolation was humbling. There were no trails, no people—just the rhythm of wind, rain, and ice.
Final Thoughts: What Full Circle° Taught Me Full Circle° became more than a film. It was a rite of passage. We didn’t summit—but we found something more meaningful: connection, purpose, and the reminder that adventure isn’t about reaching the top—it’s about what you learn along the way.
Out of my 60+ expeditions across the globe, this journey remains unmatched. The team was all-time. Experiencing this adventure with my best friend, Erich Roepke, my brother Thor Retzlaff and my friend, Rafael Pease is a memory I will cherish forever. It taught me to slow down, listen, and embrace the unknown. It showed me that story lives not just in triumph, but in truth.
Watch the Film
Red Bull: Full Circle° — Corcovado Expedition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL8_sewSFHE&t=44s
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“At the edge of certainty lies the ‘Y’ in the road—where adventure ignites, kindred souls connect, and we’re forged by the fire of discovery.” – Stein Retzlaff
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Beyond filmmaking, I’m here to help you create your next adventure-of-a-lifetime memory. My partners and I lead trips to the most remote corners of the Earth—from Antarctica to the Amazon, Indonesia, Svalbard to the South Pole. Whether you’re looking to collaborate on a film project, need guidance planning an expedition, or simply want to experience a transformative journey—I’m here to help shape something unforgettable.
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→ Arctic Wildlife Filmmaking: Svalbard Stories
Behind the Scenes with Stein Retzlaff
→ View the Antarctica Film Portfolio
→ Inside the Mosaic Studios Expedition Workflow
→ Why Antarctica Is the Ultimate Adventure Film Location
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Suggested Embedded Media:
- Trailer for Full Circle°
- Behind-the-scenes photos from Corcovado
- Aerial footage of Patagonia volcanoes and canyons