02/06/2025
“Dear Mother” A Climber’s Transracial Adoption Story - out now on the YouTube channel and Video On Demand Platforms!
Climber and transracial Asian-American, Cody Kaemmerlen, searches for connection with his birth parents after a near-death fall leaves him shaken and grasping for answers.
Cody Kaemmerlan is a climber adopted out of South Korea in 1984, into rural Tillamook, Oregon. He was raised by a loving family, and thrived in his small town, not fully comprehending what it was like to be a person of color in a white world. After reaching out to the adoption agency, he was left with an email stating his birth mother had no interest in meeting her son. He struggled in adulthood, as he started to experience adversity which produced a cycle of anger, divorce, car accident, and finally a near-death free-soloing fall which became a catalyst for change.
A few years later, the agency reached out with an apology about a file mix-up, stating his birth mother and father would love to meet. Soon after, he begins to process his adoption and identity with the help of the climbing community and close friends.
We follow Cody to South Korea on his mission to meet his mother and father, in hopes of finding resolution and inner peace.
WITH SUPPORT FROM:
Louder Than 11
Mountain Hardwear
A-Lodge
American Alpine Club
Pro-Photo
Coupe Studio
A Louder Than Eleven Production
Presented by American Alpine Club
In Association With Mountain Hardwear
With Support From A-Lodge & Pro Photo Rental
Directed by
Starring .kaemmerlen
Birth Parents Nam Family
Featuring Janet Kaemmerlen, Mike Kaemmerlen, , Suah Yu, Peter Clotfelter-Quenelle,
Assistant Director
Written by Jon Glassberg,
Edited by Jon Glassberg
Assistant Edit
Video by Jon Glassberg, Jessica Glassberg, Sophi Rutherford, Cody Kaemmerlen
Photography Sophi Rutherford, Jessica Glassberg
Music Artlist
Archival Material Provided by Cody Kaemmerlen, Kaemmerlen Family, Joey Maloney
Voice Over Mei Ratz
