Still Climbing... The Film

After starting with around 100 hours of footage from our 6 and half month journey, it has finally been chiseled down to under 2 hours. I'd say it was close to as hard as hiking the Trail itself. I watched so many things so many times over and over again so that I can bring you the best of the best. It's a shame and painful to cut so much. Not to say it won't be on the extras or YouTube in the near future after the release. However, as far as the thick of the film goes, it's now in a manageable spot. And the tough thing is, it's still not complete. There's a lot of tempo work. From where to put in crazy caterpillars to amazing sunsets. Transitions, fades, sound. All the things you won't notice that I will spend so much time on still needs to be added. Things I'll notice every time but you won't notice once.

This has been one of the most challenging things I've ever done. I remember when I first sifted through all the footage. I had my work cut out for me. But before that, building a computer than can handle such a load was a job in itself. Not to mention my actual job where I must make some money as compared to editing for hundreds of hours only hoping and praying the ends justify the means on the financial side. Creating this is going to be every bit worth it to me, that's for sure. But what I ultimately want to do with this film and where I want to go with it is big.

I foresee sometime this summer me going on a road trip to several Trail friends' towns to premiere. Thanks to Gerber, I now have a projector to feasibly show a film. There will have to be some serious planning as I hope to attract local hiking clubs and adventurers alike to these events. I hope to make enough to at least get me to the next spot while donating a portion to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. In addition to entering in film festivals and everything that comes with that. 

All these things enter my head but I haven't time to really look into it all. First things first, get the film completed. THEN set everything else up. Make something people want to see. If it takes longer, so be it. We all want this film to be great and that takes time, care, and thought. I honestly hope to have it ready for Trail Days this year in mid May but that's gonna be tough for two reasons; there's still a good bit to do, and because I'm so focused on creating, there's no time to set a venue up for a premiere. The most I can hope for is bringing the projector and some speakers, pass out some flyers, and a white sheet and set up near the bonfire and show it. How that will happen exactly, I don't know. But again, film first, logistics later. 

The film will be available within a year as far as at home purchases go. I gotta get it out there and get some reviews and hype. I can't wait to see where the film takes us. 

It was a year ago and 13 days since we left out. It's crazy thinking about all the NOBOs that are starting out for the last few and next couple of months. I'm excited for them. I look forward to meeting them at Trail Days. 

We still think about the Trail everyday. Don't think we'll stop. It's fun thinking about "where we were a year ago today" and reliving the days through memory.

I see The Climb to Katahdin is still getting a lot of page views. That's awesome. I hope this blog has helped and inspired others to take the leap and set the date for their own departure and and adventure along the AT. No matter what happens, you won't regret it. You'll always have "that". "That" being the feeling of being in the woods on a specific adventure with a clear beginning and ended with no-telling-what in the middle. Conquering mountain after mountain. Meeting friend after friend and using privy after privy. YOU did that. No one can ever take that away from you. Even if it's for a short while, you still get so much out of every step. 

Good luck and thanks to all. I appreciate your eyes on this page more than you know. I mean over 14,000 people(many multiple times, I realize) have looked at this site at one point or another. I'm truly flattered. Again, I hope you all love the film as much as you do the blog. 

As always, though sometimes few and far between, I'll keep everybody posted on the status of the video. If you "Like" The Climb to Katahdin, you'll get more ongoing information. Updates are easier than blogs.