[Video] The Making Of An Epic Backpacking Documentary

Why does a group of creative artists take their gear on a 230 mile, 25 day backpacking trip? The Muir Project is why. This team not only creates masterful images in remote places, but they're able to endure rough terrain and heavy packs. Hiking for 25 days with a 75lb pack is crazy, but the images are certainly worth it. This is the video for the behind the scenes featurette for the Muir Project documentary, "Mile...Mile & A Half".

Here is the teaser piece that they released a few months ago. I can't wait for this to come out!

So what do you think? Have you ever taken more than just your DSLR on a long hiking trip? Did any bears eat your wind muff? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Mike Wilkinson's picture

Mike Wilkinson is an award-winning video director with his company Wilkinson Visual, currently based out of Lexington, Kentucky. Mike has been working in production for over 10 years as a shooter, editor, and producer. His passion lies in outdoor adventures, documentary filmmaking, photography, and locally-sourced food and beer.

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15 Comments

I'm into ultralight backpacking so I only take my point and shoot with me. I even take extra keys off my keychain to lighten my load! 

What camera they use for filming this ?

Surprisingly a combination of the Nikon D7000 and Canon 5d Mark II. With 70% of the video shots coming from the Nikon. Very nice work. 

I'm loving all these adventurous posts, keep it up!

Who pays for all of this?

Wow!!! this is awesome!! I started the JMT about two weeks after they started crazy! and yes 75lbs is way too much weight, I brought along just a point and shoot, that would have been awesome to be part of this project though!!!

Great video!!! I want to do something similar to this but on the Trans-America trail. it starting in northwest Tennessee and ends at the Pacific Ocean in southwest Oregon! 

Really great video's! These spots exist in Europe too. Maybe I should gather a group of enthousiasts to do the same :-).

im doing something similar in mexico this summer on a week long mission trip

Really make me want to travell..But how do you deal about the battery for one complete month? O_o Bring 45 of them? 

charger + solar panel.

Thanks so much for sharing our video.  To answer Eduardo, it was all out of our own pockets.  We wanted to hike the trail and figured out a way to document it along the way.  To answer Simon's inquiry on battery power, we had about 3 batteries per camera, but carried a solar charger with us.  We also had a few parks we'd pass through where a full AC charge was available.  We hope you enjoyed the Featurette.  Look for more videos in the coming months. -The Muir Project

Reminds me of my 2 weeks in Hawaii...I paid more money on my camping gear to save weight so I could bring more photography gear along. Wilderness is the real beauty!

I thought hiking with a 5D and 24-70 was enough!

Today, we released the first official trailer for the film.  Hope you enjoy! -The Muir Project

http://vimeo.com/36675195