In the winter of 2013 filmmaker Chris Galloway set out to thru hike the Appalachian Trail starting on Springer Mountain, Georgia and walking over 2,000 miles to reach Mount Katahdin, Maine.

In the course of his seven month trek, Frost (as he came to be known on the trail) trudged through deep snow drifts on the Smoky Mountain crest, savored a brief Appalachian spring, and battled clouds of mosquitoes in a record-breaking rainy summer. He experienced grief, growth, and triumph, from the joy of getting engaged to the pain of a family tragedy. Along the way he formed deep bonds of friendship with other travelers making their own journeys on the trail.

The Long Start to the Journey reveals the Appalachian Trail through the lens of one man’s journey across it. It is a personal narrative that also digs deep into the history of the A.T. — the vision and values that inspired generations of volunteers to build this iconic trail. This is a story of the impact that the A.T. has on those who walk it… of why wilderness is something essential for humans in the modern world.

Disclosure: I participated in a crowdfunding campaign sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to help get this film financed. Chris and Larissa Galloway worked tirelessly for more than two years to make the end result happen. Perhaps his 2,000 mile hike was the easiest, and most relaxing part of the endeavor.

About the Production Team

One of the things that appealed to me about helping to fund this project was that Chris Galloway is a local boy, a writer, photographer, and filmmaker based out of Black Mountain, NC. He started out telling river stories with his award-winning film The Green Race Movie, a documentary about a class V kayak race in the mountains of North Carolina. Taking a quiet, patient approach to filmmaking, Chris is drawn to stories of creativity, culture, and outdoor adventure. His independent production company Horizonline Pictures has produced work for clients ranging from summer camps to tech startups to some of the largest brands in the outdoor industry. Here he is on day 1 at Springer Mountain.

Larissa Galloway, known as “Sunshine” on the trail, is a two-time A.T. thru-hiker (2004 and ‘05) and currently works as a nurse in the NICU at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. While supporting Chris on his hike, Sunshine covered over 350 miles of the trail with him, helping to document the journey and providing valuable insight and advice along the way. When not visiting Chris on the trail, Sunshine was content-manager for the production, downloading memory cards as he shipped them home, then returning them by mail with letters and chocolate.

Phil Moore is the front man for the band Bowerbirds. He and his partner/co-creator Beth Tacular live in a cabin they built in the North Carolina woods where they work on music, art, and raising their new baby boy, Autry. Phil wrote original music for The Long Start to the Journey, and he created a selection of songs that add a rich bed of emotion and intrigue beneath the storyline of the film.

The Film

Recent major motion pictures like Wild and A Walk In the Woods have brought national attention to America’s long distance trails. They are both fun and intriguing stories. The thing is, though, the protagonists in each of those stories never actually completed their respective trail. Sure, they traversed long portions, but neither knew the complete set of emotions that must be mastered by those who finish what they start. Chris Galloway is one of those finishers. That should not be minimized.

From the moment I turned on the DVD I realized The Long Start to the Journey is a quality production. The cinematography and still photos are stunning. The editing paints a complete picture. Galloway succeeds in bringing the Appalachian Trail alive. If you’ve never considered hiking even a mile of the A.T., this might be your motivation. If you’ve been there before, Chris reminds you of the beauty that is to be found around every turn. As Sunshine said, “To love the hike you need to see the beauty and appreciate the beauty.” It is so much more than simply beating in miles. “It is a privilege to be out there.”

The long green tunnel through Shenandoah National Park.

Chris took the time to explain the history of the Appalachian Trail. From the ideas and imagination of Benton MacKaye, to the sweat and blood of Myron Avery and the many thousands of volunteers that built and maintain the A.T., this is perhaps the most successful volunteer project in the history of our great country. Still a young man, Chris issued a call to action for those of his generation to become more involved, noticing along his journey that nearly all of the volunteers were of middle age or older.

The film itself is more about life’s journey, not just the trail. Sure, you’re taken through each of the 14 states traversed by the A.T., but videologs are a dime a dozen. With Galloway’s direction and narration, we the audience are led to understand a number of truths. Even if you never go to the wilderness, it is essential just to know it is there. The trail, and its people, lead you to conclude that age, race, gender, and economic status are of less importance. There is truly very little in life that we need, and that family and friends are first among them.

Whether it be visits from family at strategic points along the trail to help boost sagging spirits, or new companions that become life-long friends, the trail provides certitude. Trust on the trail is immediate. It does not come so easily in civilization. Those people you survive the trail with become extremely close to you. They intuitively know you, understand you, feel everything you feel.

Starting his quest in early February, a month earlier than most thru hikers, Galloway experienced the worst of what can be found along the Appalachian Trail as well. Weeks of snow and winter weather through the Great Smoky Mountains, rain seemingly everywhere as spring turned to summer, and the agony and torment of New England mosquitoes. Throughout it all, for the most part he managed to maintain a positive attitude and see the experience for what it was, “Seeing oneself as who you feel like you are and who you want to be.” It can fill even the most demure introvert with supreme confidence.

Thru hiking has a way of drawing people in a transitional period in their life. For Chris, the change was from twenty-something to mature adult, and from bachelor to married man. While in Virginia, famous for giving thru hikers the blues because of the length of the A.T. within the same state, Chris came close to quitting because of pain and suffering from blisters and a bad ankle. Digging deep into his inner reserve, he gutted out the discomfort and never quit. Marketeers will also tell you that Virginia is for Lovers, and so it was on the night at Grayson Highlands where Chris proposed to Sunshine.

Once he reached Vermont and New Hampshire, Chris had the most time of his trek completely to himself. He learned to love the quiet. He described the silence as beautifully as his surroundings. He also described a sense of bewilderment, knowing how much he and his life had changed. The Appalachian Trail isn’t a magical cure-all for our problems. It is, after all, just wilderness. But therein lies the perplexity. It is just wilderness, but it is also ever important wilderness, undeniable wilderness, absolutely necessary wilderness. It is a gift.

Chris Galloway and his family had a glorious reunion and well-earned celebration when he arrived at Mount Katahdin seven months after he started his journey. He had endured a lot, including unspeakable tragedy. He had discovered a lot: about our nation, about the trail and its people, and about himself. As he concluded, “If you go to enjoy the beauty of Nature, and to slow down, you may come away with much more than you looked for.” As the title of this very fine film describes, Chris also realized that he was just at the start of life’s journey.

How Can You See This Film?

The Long Start to the Journey is available from TheATMovie.com on DVD for US$18 and on BluRay for US$25. In my mind, that is a bargain for the entertainment value. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, finding myself smiling any number of times, as well as feeling the cold, feeling the pain, and finally feeling the conquest.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the compelling score by Phil Moore. The songs are what I hear when I’m sitting beside a crystal clear mountain stream, or standing on the tallest pinnacle peering as far as my eye will take me. Moore captured the essence of the wilderness.

The Long Start to the Journey is a fine example of living vicariously through others. If you can’t thru-hike yourself, do it from the comfort of your living room by watching this film. You should at least get some ideas for great day hikes or section hikes, and a deeper appreciation for the level of endeavor and accomplishment by those who find their own journey on the Appalachian Trail.

Here’s a short snippet:

Disclosure: I participated in a crowdfunding campaign sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to help get this film financed. Chris and Larissa Galloway worked tirelessly for more than two years to make the end result happen. Perhaps his 2,000 mile hike was the easiest, and most relaxing part of the endeavor.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Disclosure: The DVD distributor for the Muir Project produced documentary “Mile…Mile and a Half” contacted me to watch this film at no cost to myself. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete a review. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

A group of artists leave their daily lives behind to hike the John Muir Trail and bring back their experiences and inspiration. From Yosemite Valley to the highest point in the contiguous US – Mt. Whitney. 219 miles in 25 days.

In an epic snow year in the High Sierras, they leave their daily lives behind in search of new adventures. They seek the thrill of the trail, the challenge of the miles, and the ability to capture the beauty and wonder of the journey itself.

Along the way, they are joined by musicians, painters, teachers and other adventure-seekers. In the midst of the grandeur and daily grind, they discover what matters most is the opportunity to seek adventure wherever and whenever you can.

What began as an adventure to see if this small band of friends could complete the trail, became the need to capture the experience in order to share the trail with others. Their hope is that you will be so inspired by this film, that you take that first step towards your own adventure. Mile…Mile & A Half is the feature-length documentary of that story. Come see how life on the trail shapes the lives of artists and individuals.

A Merry Band of Adventurers

Happiness! After watching Mile…Mile and a Half I was left with an overwhelming sense of happiness. The friends who took on this daunting task of hiking the 211-mile John Muir Trail and filming a documentary of it to boot, were simply happy people. They were happy before they started. They were happy along the way. And they managed to share that sense of happiness with me as I watched their adventure unfold.

Not always easy to pull off, the sense of togetherness and friendship exhibited by the compatriots who challenged the JMT was genuine and heartfelt. These good friends truly enjoyed being in each others’ company, and sharing the awesomeness of the California wilderness together. It wasn’t forced. It was comfortable and relaxing.

But what makes Mile…Mile and a Half more than just another hiking flick is the professional quality film and sound effort put into the journey. In addition to the stamina required to carry food and other supplies for a 25 day backpack, the filmmakers also carried dozens of pounds of top notch camera and sound equipment to show the gorgeous peaks and valleys, lakes and streams, and emotion of the John Muir Trail.

The JMT Isn’t for Everyone

You will learn in the first 20 minutes that hiking the John Muir Trail isn’t for everyone. It is hard. It’s more than 50,000 feet of elevation change while carrying 50 pounds or more on your back. And the elevation is high; nearly the entire trail is over 7,000 feet, with most of it above 10,000. It will test your legs and lungs, and test your will. In fact, the crew was reduced by one after only five days because of the exertion required.

It’s nearly a month of living in the wilderness and fending for yourself. If you want a shower at the end of the day forget it. Sure you can jump in a pure alpine lake, but it is cold; darn cold. You will cross roaring torrents that may knock even the strongest among us down, or worse. The snow on the high mountain passes is frigid and slick and endless, and your next step may be your last.

A four-week backpacking trip will test your ability to plan and prepare. There are four resupply points along the 211-mile length of the JMT where you can get more food, or first aid, or climbing accessories. You must make your miles to reach your resupply before you run out. Shoot, before you even start you have to plan what is going to be in the resupply buckets when. It is a logistical challenge.

No, the John Muir Trail isn’t for everyone, but if you are up to the challenge the rewards are immeasurable.

The John Muir Trail

The film follows a crew of five great friends from their start at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley to the top of Mt. Whitney, at 14,505 feet the highest point in the lower 48 states. Along the way they pass through Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Devils Postpile National Monument, John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks. The cadre of hikers ebbs and flows as they lose one, gain two, then more… all artists in their own way contributing to the goal of sharing the John Muir Trail with us.

The scenery is simply stunning. The photographers had the dedication to do it right. For the most part the weather cooperated. Of the 25 days spent hiking the trail, only two were truly bad weather days when filming wasn’t possible. On the flip side, they encountered a 200% snow year, so crossing the mountain passes was even more daunting than usual because of the snow pack that remained even in July. The snow, however, contributed to the perspective of the photography.

The JMT also passes bowl after bowl of high alpine lakes, each more beautiful than the previous. Most of their overnight campsites were on the bank of a lake, a truly remarkable joy to wake up to. Whether for an after-hike swim or a crisp refreshing drink for a tired and weary hiker, there isn’t much more revitalizing than an alpine lake.

Morning by an Alpine Lake

Did I Tell You This Was Fun?

Much of the film is comedy gold. This is a bunch of really funny guys, and they know how to have a good time. From the self-effacing commentary, their encounter with a hungry marmot, to the sheer child-like joy they experienced glissading down the snow pack, these friends are relaxed with each other and in their environment.

They put you at ease immediately. Mile…Mile and a Half is a feel good film. Yes, ultimately the film is documenting the John Muir Trail, but it is also about the people. Great friends, and then eventually even strangers, all bond together in a common goal of experiencing the natural wonder that is the High Sierra. I’m not sure the film works as well as it does if the core group were not already so comfortable together.

As someone who is interested in the how part of getting things done, I enjoyed the occasional brief vignettes where they would show how they setup their equipment. The sounds of frogs chirping in the evening, or a babbling mountain stream were recorded to help me feel like I was there as well. Carrying a time-lapse rail all that way certainly was a burden, but definitely added to the quality of the end result.

Sometimes It Is About the Journey

Truly Mile…Mile and a Half is. Yes, it’s a journey on the JMT, but it is also a journey of discovery, and camaraderie. It is a journey that tests your will and your limits, and of taking care of one another, and a journey that offers ample time for quiet reflection and profound awe. The John Muir Trail is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere in the world, and the filmmakers have done an admirable job of displaying that.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Like the hikers, I was somewhat sad when they reached their goal at Mt. Whitney, but happy in having shared their experience. I learned what it can be like to hike the John Muir Trail. If I ever decide to tackle the adventure myself, I am better prepared for what to expect. Oh, and I would love to have a copy of that illustrated journal seen in the film. It rocks!

The crew did a nice job of paying respects to John Muir the man, and I am grateful to all involved in the production of Mile…Mile and a Half for helping us to become stewards of his legacy.

Mile…Mile and a Half is available for download or purchase on BluRay or DVD from the Muir Project website, for download on Amazon, or by contacting the distributor Passion River Films. Why not treat yourself with some of that holiday loot you collected?

Here’s one of several trailers you can view on the Muir Project website:

Disclosure: The DVD distributor for the Muir Project produced documentary “Mile…Mile and a Half” contacted me to watch this film at no cost to myself. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete a review. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.