Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion The Muir Project: Mile Mile and a Half

Many of you may have already heard about the documentary called "Mile Mile & A Half" from REI, Adventure 16, and other various hiking websites but in case you haven't...check out this video!! http://themuirproject.com/video3

A group of filmmakers hiked the JMT last year and documented it with incredible photography/cinematography - it is truly inspiring! When I watched the most recent trailer and saw the 'backside' Whitney from Trail Crest to the Hut, I got so emotional because I recognized it!! We were there (3 weeks today!!) and I can honestly say that it was a life changing experience for me. All of which may have never happened if I hadn't found this and the WPS board and been motivated by all you with your own amazing stories and pictures! I know that there is more to hiking than Mt. Whitney, but I am glad that mountain has brought us all together.

Heather

Thanks for posting that, Heather.

Can you tell us... Is this a project to create a feature-length movie, or IS it done now, or what?

The trailers have such short sound and picture shots, leaves me want to see the real thing.

...and seeing your post made me recall, Harvey posted something last year:   Muir Project video

Thanks Steve!

They are working on making a full length documentary and are asking for help/funding with the production fees to get the movie made. Here is the link to their fund raiser on kickstarter - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/them...entary?ref=live

I believe I saw Harvey's post last year as well (maybe that is how I stumbled on this project to begin with!) and then kept up with them via Facebook. I also can't wait to see the whole movie once it is done

This project was mentioned again recently. Thought I'd check out the site again. Their website shows people have pledged $85,403 toward a goal of $78,100. Hmmmm.... that's over $7k above the target! Wishing we could see a feature length video.

Their Vimeo site shows nine short videos. I think I'll embed each one here. They are fun to watch. If you have hiked all or part of the JMT, you will recognize many of the locations.

Here's their Kickstarter.com fundraiser website:
MILE... MILE & A HALF (a feature documentary) by The Muir Project

The first video:

A full length DVD will be a treat!

The Muir Project: Behind-the-scenes Featurette

THE MUIR PROJECT - BTS FEATURETTE from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

woopwooop! Looks like fun. Can't wait for next summer to spend a week on part of the trail to also include Whitney.
Yeah, Baby :grin:

JMT Campfire Performance

Bernard Chadwick & Paul Bessenbacher perform an original composition around the campfire at Lower Vidette Meadow.

This picture appears to be another music session at Outpost Camp on the Main Mt Whitney Trail.

                   

Great photo and sound quality. I'm looking forward to the finished film!

Also, one our our rangers, Bob Keenan, did a film a few years back: Message From the Mountains that was pretty good. Doesn't seem to be in stock anywhere. If anyone's interested, write me and I'll send you Bob's address.

Thanks for posting this!

g.

All of these videos can be watched expanded to full screen. The definition is awesome. Here's yet another of their videos:

MILE... MILE & A HALF (trailer 1)

MILE... MILE & A HALF (trailer 1) from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

The first trailer for the documentary, MILE... MILE & A HALF: A Journey Along The John Muir Trail.

Official Website: www.themuirproject.com

The Muir Project key players/hikers: Jason Fitzpatrick (Co-Director/DP), Ric Serena (Co-Director/DP), Jennifer Serena (Still Photographer/Producer), Durand Trench (Location Sound Recordist), Zee Hatley (Camera Operator), Paul Bessenbacher (Music Composer), Bernard Chadwick (Music Composer) and David & Kelly Finlay (Colorado-based teachers)

Music: Emoto Music
Composer: Paul Bessenbacher
Executive Producer: Paul Schultz
Music Supervisor: Lindsay Froemke

Any of you in San Diego (or close enough to make the drive worth it)...

Their doing a "happy hour/preview" talk type gathering on Saturday, January 19th at the San Diego A16 store!!! Momma and I will be there!!!!!


http://www.adventure16.com/events.asp?itemid=174&submit=getrecord&recordid=195

SoCalGirl, thanks for the notice. I'm going to try to make it down on Jan 19th.

Sure Wazzu!!! Hope to see you there!!!

Barbara and Chris, if you go, maybe you can find out:  When will their full-length movie/video be released? I sure want to see it.

Here's their "trailer 2" ...I think the initial image is the river crossing near McClure Meadow. Anyone else recognize it?

MILE... MILE & A HALF (trailer 2) from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

The second trailer for the documentary, MILE... MILE & A HALF: A Journey Along The John Muir Trail.

A group of filmmakers, photographers, writers, musicians & artists leave their daily lives to hike the John Muir Trail & bring it back to share. 219 miles. 25 days. Come walk with us.

MILE... MILE & A HALF (a feature documentary)

music composed by Paul Bessenbacher
courtesy of Emoto Music
©2012, The Muir Project

Steve, I'm going for sure and I'll share whatever information I get about release dates!!!! No problemo!!!

Don't recognize the r. crossing, but the earlier one, the B&W is just south of Forrester Pass, s. ridge of CalTech Peak to the right, yes?

Steve I just got off the phone with Ric/Jen Serena and learned that the DVD will hopefully be available in Spring, ie late March or in April. Ric said they had no price yet but that the DVD would be available in the Store which is located on their website. There are a few items already listed in the Store which some may wish to purchase now but I am sure many are waiting for the DVD. I want to buy 2.

I am sure Chris will see them at the show Jan 19th and will be able to confirm this info and let us know also.

Thanks for the info, Ernie.

Here's another video, #6: The Muir Project - Range of Light.
This video is just music and views -- no talking.

The Muir Project - Range of Light from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

A group of filmmakers, photographers, writers, musicians & artists leave their daily lives to hike the John Muir Trail & bring it back to share. 219 miles. 25 days. Come walk with us.

MILE... MILE & A HALF (a feature documentary)

CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR WORK: www.themuirproject.com
PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/pages/The-Muir-Project/240615075966884

music composed by Paul Bessenbacher
courtesy of Emoto Music
©2012, The Muir Project

Regarding the river crossing picture above, here's my picture of McClure Meadow. I think the river crossing is a half mile or so down-river to the west.


McClure Meadow -- taken 6-23-08.

It was a fantastic event at Adventure 16. There is no specific date for the DVD. The movie is being shown at some film festivals, as they are trying to line up a distributor. They (the film group) are saying a late spring 2013 release.

The musicians in the movie were at the event last night, and they played several songs. Very good duo that perform under the name Opus Orange.

Along with the film clips, there was stories from the group, live music, FREE pizza, BEER, wine, popcorn, chips & dips, cheese & crackers, and other assorted snacks. The store manager mentioned it was one of the biggest crowds for an in-store event.

Evolution Meadow at the old JMT crossing, looking downriver (west). Best place to cross at high water.

Terrific photography -- a bunch of images from Evolution Basin (they're also crossing just above Evolution Lake). Other fun places in Kings that I recognize.

Not sure where the gnarly, waist high crossing is. Bear Creek? Maybe the current JMT crossing below Evolution Meadow, but not sure. That year everything was high water. Glad they made that one without mishap. Waist deep in that current could go badly pretty easy... .

Gotta talk to them about the tents on meadows, though... .

g.

Wazzu....I wish I would have read this thread before today...I would have offered to drive us both down to A16 for this event last night.

I have watched two of the videos several times...I so want to be there with them. One of these days I will hike the JMT...maybe not all at once...maybe in parts on different dates.

Funny...I've been online shopping for a couple of weeks now for a xylophone....it was a pleasant surprise to see the guy playing the xylophone in these videos...I paused the video to get a good look at his...I found this 8-note xylophone online and will get it for a starter while I'm learning...in the video the tone quality is pretty good for an inexpensive instrument. Xylophones come in a wide range of prices and can get very expensive.

I am not super knowledgeable about the JMT.....I thought the trail through Little Yosemite Valley was part of the JMT. The campfire scene reminded me of the backpackers camp above Nevada Falls mainly because campfires are allowed there. I haven't hiked a lot lately but where I have hiked I generally see signs that no open fires are allowed. Are hikers allowed to have campfires along the JMT back country? That thought worries me because not all campers are efficient at dousing / putting out fires effectively.


Ha..ha....I just had to laugh at myself...what is there to learning the xylophone....especially when there are only 8-notes....my brother is learning the ukulele...maybe he and I can JAM together....should be fun...sure is a pleasant sounding instrument ...it compliments the wilderness well.

Good luck with the xylophone, Lynn-a-roo!

Here's another video from The Muir Project:

ALMOST THERE 40:  40 second promotional piece for the documentary, MILE... MILE & A HALF: A Journey Along The John Muir Trail.

And don't forget, Sheldon Neill from Project Yosemite, was also there! It was, as my daughter put it, a room full of awesome!

Kandy, thanks for mentioning Sheldon Neil.

He posted his video on WhitneyZone (_here_).

It is worth watching if you haven't seen it. The most beautiful 4 minutes you will see. ...use full screen, with the music playing.

Checking the stats, it has been played 3.1 million times!

One more from The Muir Project:

The Muir Project's Nothing But Time (GoPro HD)
"The GoProHD Camera was an invaluable part of our camera arsenal along the John Muir Trail in 2011. Enjoy this short selection of some of the footage we captured with the camera during our journey."

This one features the music by Opus Orange, "nothing but time".



I don't care for the rapid-fire view switching of this video.

My wife and I just missed this group by 2 days in July 2011. We finished the northern section from Mammoth to Yosemite on July 8, two days before this team left from Yosemite heading to Whitney on July 10. We went back to Mammoth and hiked south to a favorite hot springs and heard about them on the trail from other hikers. They were moving pretty slow with all that gear and tons of snow, so we never saw them. I was hoping they would get the film out in time for the Sundance Festival, good excuse to go, but it didn't happen. Which goes to prove a corollary to Wagga's theory, "no moving pictures, it doesn't happened." Plan to finish the rest of the JMT this summer.

OK. Buried in their Facebook page is identifying the location of this photo with the outhouse riser:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=5...&permPage=1

I think you have to cycle through the images to come up with this:



Not too many places it could be but I've never seen a toilet like that in Sequoia Kings -- though I could have missed it somehow... . Still seems a little like Dollar Lake, but no response from them.

g.

Dollar Lake is my best guess also. It's a hard one for sure.

George, I just can't place it either. The background ridge/slope brings to mind the Devils Postpile area, or north or south of it. A good puzzle!

Facebook people are making guesses here. (not sure if that link will work.)

Anyone recognize themselves in this picture? I am assuming it is from Saturday's San Diego Adventure 16 gathering.

I looks like a toilet, but it's actually an early model wag bag, left behind like so many others. This model came with a strap for easy carrying back to the trailhead, but they were prone to leaking and quite heavy.
The new models look attractive along side the trail and they serve an important safety purpose. In a white-out, the smell can lead people back down the trail like bread crumbs.

Funny how there is such a variety of toilets in wilderness areas.

Edit: Answer is here.   Map here (approx. loc.)

Regarding the pic from A16 Saturday night . . . that was taken while Opus Orange was playing. You can see them facing the audience at the front under the screen. I'm in front of the lady with the animal print, my daughter is to the left of me. One of the raffle prizes was one of the 16x16 prints on the far end of the wall (behind the speaker), taken by Jen Serena. I was so bummed my name wasn't drawn! There were lots of people standing behind the group sitting in chairs, and in front of the chairs sitting on the floor as well.

That A16 brings back lots of memories when I lived in San Diego. Told some friends about this event but they couldn't make it.

I think it's going to be a fun and inspiring movie. Did they show more of the movie than the trailers online?

Opus Orange & Scoring for Mile... Mile & A Half

My Mom, Wazzu and I were directly behind the guy in the yellow shirt. We originally thought we were going to have a pretty good chance of winning something in the drawing... then the other 100+ people showed up!!!

It was supposed to be a secret! I'm a hiker just like everyone else, nothing more. Maybe just a little bit of creativity in there.

The event was great! Sadly, I was only there for the ending, but PB did an awesome job performing--along with his gang. They shared stories, did a raffle, and had wicked panoramas on display. I was even privileged enough to take one home:



I've seen a rough cut of the film, and its nothing less than extraordinary. I contributed to their Kickstarter when it was going and can't wait for the Blue-ray.

Last of the Muir Project's short videos:

Kolby Kirk: Journaling for MILE... MILE & A HALF

Kolby Kirk: Journaling for MILE... MILE & A HALF from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

This was shown at the event at San Diego A16. I absolutely love the fact that Kolby is also a hiker, who basically traveled the same trails, etc. as the Muir Project crew. His renderings truly are from the heart of experience.

Kolby Kirk didn't hike with the Muir Project people. He was heading north on the PCT, and they only crossed paths. But he joined the group after completing the PCT.

Here's an entertaining video of Kolby from his trip -- Hundreds of self-portrait shots taken on his trip.

Condor's PCT Adventure in 3 Minutes
"Recorded on the Pacific Crest Trail during the 2011 thu hiking season. 159 days, 1,700 miles hiked, and ninety pounds lost. Make sure you watch it all the way to the end."

Condor's PCT Adventure in 3 Minutes from Kolby Kirk on Vimeo.

The Muir Project collaborated with Project Yosemite to create this teaser for Colin Delehanty's and Sheldon Neill's second time-lapse video, "Yosemite HD II."

CLIMB from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

The Muir Project just posted on Facebook that the World Premiere of "Mile...Mile & A Half" will be on Saturday, June 1st (National Trails Day) at 5 PM in Hollywood at the Chinese Theatre. The tickets are $11 each with a $1 service charge, seating is first come first serve.

After seeing all the trailers - I can't wait to see the full documentary, I am sure it will not disappoint. We'll be there!

Dances with Films

We bought our tickets last night! Cannot wait!

They've released more dates for the full public screenings of the movie!!!!

http://themuirproject.com/events/

Of particular interest is the August 23rd viewing at the A16 in San Diego (not listed on the above page, but on the email they sent out!!!)!! Am I going to be there? You betcha!!!!

You're lucky, Chris! I wonder if it will ever make it to such a remote place as Fresno.

Kandy, have you seen the movie? How long is it?

We saw the movie on Saturday (and got the DVD in the mail the day before). It is about 85 minutes long and I thought was amazing! I wish it was longer, that there was more footage but I realize they wanted to show the best of what they shot. They said at the Q&A afterward that they would have spend more time at some of their favorite places.

Steve,
The movie is amazing! We saw it Saturday as well, and also bought enough DVDs to complete our Christmas shopping list! As mrshherrera said, the only draw back was it left you wanting more. The same goes for the CD by Opus Orange. I don't know how close Emeryville is to Fresno, but they are showing it the Clif Bar HQ on June 14 at 7:30. They will also be in Sacramento the next day.
Not only is the movie a must-see, but the crew is simply the nicest group of people you could ever want to meet. Jen Serena recognized us from the A16 event in San Diego in January. Really? After meeting how many people this past year?
I hope you get to see it!
Kandy

We were there on Saturday as well. I laughed, I cried, I was in total awe. I had to buy the DVD and CD and I cannot wait to share this amazing movie with my kids. I walked away inspired and longing for the Sierra's in general.

Hi Brandy,
How much does the DVD cost?
For those of us not near a showing is it possible to simply purchase the DVD?
I do not see this option on their web site. Perhaps they are still working out distribution?
Thanks!

It was $20. I read somewhere that sales are limited to events for now. Something about online sales making them ineligible for future film festivals and possibly messing up future distribution deals.

Maybe someone can pick one up for you at the next showing? I am so happy that I bought it, I'm already itching to watch it again. Thankfully I have friends and family who are eager to view as well!

Ok, then next person going to a show, please buy one for me! I'll reimburse you for the shipping, too.

I'll be at the June 14th showing if you want I an pick up and extra copy

I would also very much like a DVD. Of course I will pay all costs.

It's so worth getting your hands on. I watched it with two of my kids yesterday and I'll be showing it to some girlfriends on Thursday night. The extra features are great too.

RenoFrank and I each got the DVD through a friend here who attended in San Diego. Was definitely good to watch, only there is no way they could capture all the beautiful places of the journey. It is truly jam-packed with scenery and interesting discussion, regardless.

WHA member Paul sent me this notice. Wish I could attend, but Thousand Oaks is still too far to go. Sure would like to meet the participants.

Here's the link

Mile...Mile And A Half - Thousand Oaks
Presented by Debra Fontana and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund
Monday, September 30 5:30pm - 7:03pm
in Thousand Oaks, CA at Regency Janss Marketplace 9 $11.00 General

Muir Project - Mile...Mile and a Half will be shown in Colorado twice. Sept 15th in Golden, FREE showing for anyone. Sept 16th in Colorado Springs at the Stargazer Theater. Check the Muir Project site and click on events which will take you to the Colorado information sites.

I'll be going for my 2nd viewing as I flew out to Seattle for the large gathering there and saw it with some friends.

The Muir Project people have posted a new short video:

A Weekend at Muir Trail Ranch from The Muir Project on Vimeo.

Second prize was two weekends.