For as long as he can remember, Robert “Rusty” Bailey knew he would one day climb Mount Everest. Rusty grew on the rocks and taught himself everything he could about big-wall climbing. Along the way he racked up so many first ascents that he lost count. Summiting Mount Everest seemed inevitable. Which is why in 1982 when he was asked to be a part of the first Canadian team to attempt the peak he jumped at the opportunity.

Rusty's Ascent is the culmination of a number of conversations that filmmaker Jordan Halland had with Rusty over the years. It is a meditation on the adventurers remorse, the guilt anyone who makes a career in risking their life feels when they pursue their dream at the expense of their family. Rusty's Ascent does not attempt to answer the question but highlight an individuals story of wrestling with this often undiscussed internal struggle.