I’ve watched a bunch of the hiking documenaries for the PCT and AT and was wondering which are peoples favorites.
One thing I don’t like is how so many of them choose to shoot close ups of blisters. I mean, we get it, everyone gets blisters and they hurt. Do we really need a 10 second close up.
In a related note, many of my friends commented on how many of my pictures from the trail were close ups of food.
Jalan
Full disclosure: I have made a trail documentary that has blister shots.
Which shouldn’t be surprising. Blisters are a part of hiking, for those of us without the sense to stop and treat them before they become blisters.
I think that two things should be considered here: first, that in an attempt to show the whole picture while making a documentary, the bad needs to be included with the good. Torn up feet are one of the most visual representations of that. One could include lots of complaining about various things, but that would actually take a lot more time and be a lot more annoying than a single shot of a foot.
Second, while this is a hiking forum, people should keep in mind that while hikers are a big part of a trail documentary’s target audience, they’re not the only people who will see the film. I know that “WE get it.” But non-hikers need to understand that it’s not all rainbows and ice cream trees. There’s work involved, and pain.
I tried not to overdo it in my film, and (as with the blisters themselves) there are fewer shots as the movie progresses.
Jester
I own 8 videos about the Appalachian Trail. Without a doubt the best one that I have watched is ‘Appalachian Impressions’. And yes they have close ups of blisters.
Bilko
…i mean, it’s “hiking”, right?..however…i think the one that appeals most to my sense of aesthetics (and my hiker trashiness)…and the one i always enjoy watching (and/or listening to) again and again, is weathercarrot’s “PCT 2003”!..(that dude is some kinda artist!)…i really think this version gleans from every aspect of trail life, is artfully created and the music choices are amazing!..thanks, weathercarrot!
maw-ee
This one is easy. The PBS of all AT long distance hiking videos: Circle of Dreams The one you would show your employer to get a leave of absence or to your significant other so they can understand why you would want to do an AT thru-hike.
Warren Doyle
COD is good if you want to have someone hold your hand every step of the way.
If you want to backpack skip it.
Jack
I have not viewed all of the mentioned videos, but just watched ‘Trek’ this weekend. I enjoyed the video and had my daughter watch it with me to help familiarize her with what lies ahead for her Father in 2012 
. I will be lending it to my family and friends as well.
One
Postcard: Good to hear from you again. I was enjoying one of your recent AT journals but I think you had to bail for a family emergency. Hope things worked out.
Jester: I admit I was kind of looking in your direction regarding the blisters comment. I just bought your Wizards DVD and enjoyed it (except for the blisters part). It made me think of all the other blisters I’d seen in the other Documentaries I’d seen.
One of the things I liked and wanted to see more of in your docementary was when you got to Oregon or washington and you talked about getting a little down on the trail. I wanted to see a little more explanation. I also was wondering why you seemed to be hiking solo all of the sudden. To me, thats part of the drama of trail life. The relationships that come and go. Why do some trail partnerships work and others blow up or break down. My impression was that you had a nice group for awhile but then it kind of dissolved.
Most of the documentaries have hints of the personal relationship issues but then gloss over the negatives for privacy reasons I suppose.
I also liked how you had the addendum about SOL (??) finishing up in the snow later in the season.
It sounds like you met a lot of real characters on the trail. I was interested in some of their backstories but I notice that when I hiked, people were very nice and friendly but not too many shared a lot about their previous/real lives. I suppose it may be wrapped up in the whole trail names/anonymity involved in thru hiking. But what does compel a person to check out of the “real” world for 5-6 months to live the life of a trail hobo? Putting aside the standard reasons of leading a simpler life, getting in touch with nature/ having an adventure.
:cheers
jalan
Hey folks, where do I find these documentaries? (I have NatGeo’s “America’s Wildspaces: AT” & go to YouTube often when I need a virtual hike, but don’t know about the others mentioned here.)
Appalachian Impressions:
PCT 2003 (weathercarrot):
Walk Series by Squatch:
Circle of Dreams:
Trek:
Wizards:
<others, especially of other trails such as PCT?>:
trek-or