Freakin' sweet video, Chris! My girlfriend and I hiked the JMT in the summer of '15, and this brought back some amazing memories. Thank you for letting all of us tag along on your awesome journey!
I spend more time than I would like to admit watching hiking videos on UA-cam and I don't comment on any of them, I just enjoy watching them particularly during the winter when I cannot be on the trail, but this video right here was so well done I felt it was time to comment because you deserve it. Seriously, excellent video and congratulations on your completion of the JMT and I appreciate you taking the time to create this and share with all of us. I leave for the South Lake loop over Bishop and Muir pass on Wednesday next week and I can't wait!
Nice. Glad you had a good time. There are so many beautiful places in the Sierra. I did the JMT in 2015 then went back last year for a loop of my own design that started on the High Sierra Trail. I can't get enough of the Sierra. Planning on a 280 mile hike for 2017 that will hit most of the places I walked right by when doing the JMT in 2015. Keep it up and teach - actually let - your kids love nature and hiking.
After doing Mount Whitney for the first time last year I really enjoyed watching this video, gave me good vibes. I would love to do something like this but who the hell am I kidding, I picked up the love of hiking in my later years and my knee is starting to revolt. I hope you and your beautiful kids have a great time in the future hiking thru Forrester pass.
i'm so impressed by this - my husband and i hiked onion valley to whitney portal 10 years ago. forester pass killed us. i don't know how you got from forester to guitar lake in one day. and to get from the lake to the portal in one day - you guys were slaying it. we collapsed at trail camp and i was in bed by 6 pm. mad props! love this video - thanks for bringing it all back. man do i miss the sierras!
stunning! we're from the east coast and live at like 700 ft above sea level, so it was BRUTAL. the JMT is on my bucket list. what did you use to film the video? we're heading to iceland later this year and i'm in search of a backup camera for stills and video. thanks again for the memories!
Nicki Fenderson I used a little GoPro hero 4 Black edition, and a Sony rx100m4. Super nice and portable. Though I'm considering upgrading to the Sony A7r2 after chatting with the Muir Project guys.
I loved your film!!! the graphics were great ...thanks so much for sharing. I did the trail in 2015 and it's so nice to see how you labeled all the peaks and passes for a very nice trip down memory lane. Namaste! kate
That was so awesome! Thanks! I can't get enough and it put butterflies in my stomach to think that in 226 days, I will begin my Journey on the JMT!! EEK!!
Awesome video! I've watched it several times. I've never seen someone with editing experience hike the JMT, so this is a nice change. Honestly, this is probably the best account of the trail that I've yet found. Most people are like, "this is my experience," and nothing else. You actually put trail info and landmarks and stuff, and it's much more informative that way. Goodonya!
I must have passed you as I headed north from Rae Lakes on Sept. 8th! I can't wait to do the entire JMT, videos like yours inspire me to do it earlier than later. Thank you for sharing it with us all
I was just doing a East-West trip from Onion Valley to Road's End, via Rae Lakes. We may have spoken at the Wood Creek Bridge, most hikers remember my giant straw hat (not pictured).
Applause, applause, applause, applause.. Your creative skills on this video and the final outcome was just amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I only hope one day to have videos this freaking good. Subbed and liked!
Chris is Awesome...videography, stills, music, post production, editing. Damn, this vid was a professional as it gets. My congrats. I hope you do more. As a 40+ year survivor from network TV in Hollyweird I know what's good and what isn't. This video was GREAT. Just top notch production value. A lot of work to shoot and edit and it shows. Congrats.
Thanks so much Frederick! I learned a lot of lessons from this for sure. I've got another trip planned in April where I'll be using all new camera gear. So I expect that to be a step up as far as quality. :)
Thanks Chris, I really enjoyed your video! Your hike seemed very similar to mine in 2014. About the same time of year and very similar itinerary. I didn't get to summit Mt Whitney though. I had a storm on the last night too, but it was a big long thunderstorm that lasted well into the next day. The hike up to, and over Trail Crest was treacherous enough, so I decided to play it safe and continue down to the Portal instead of risking my life heading to the summit. A very difficult decision, but "gethomeitis" got the better of me and I decided not to wait it out and take an extra day to summit. Glad you made it! Cheers!
Great video. Just what I needed to fill my hiking fix at the start of winter. It was great to see those places again. Hiked the JMT in 14' and am ready to go back again. The toughest part for me, as well, was missing the family.
what an epic adventure brother I so want to do what you did. also you did an a amazing job on filming and editing I am so impressed keep up the good work and happy trails.
Since everyone else is commenting on the footage, etc... i'd just like to make a comment about the music. It was beautiful and perfectly complimented the scenery. I loved it
Thanks Skylar! I'm guessing I spent a good 150+ hours tracking and mixing the soundtrack in my spare bedroom. Glad to hear it's being noticed. :) I've actually been working on the soundtrack for my next project. This time in Colorado with a well known individual in the outdoor industry. :)
Your videos are awesome and I love the music you produce! I have done most of the JMT and it is so fun to relive it through your lens. I’m looking forward to future productions!
Chris...this is without a doubt the best video Ive seen hiking the JMT.....youve done an excellent job....thank you for sharing your awesome journey and your private thoughts of your beautiful family....I know you were yearning to get home...but I couldnt help but wonder if you were sad that it was over....such a dream come true !!!
Great adventure and video! I did it NOBO in 2019, 8/28-9/12 from Horseshoe Meadows summit ting Whitney at 6pm on day #2. Unforgettable adventure for sure. Congratulations!
Thanks! Crazy coincidence, I actually saw your pocket cocktails video a while back and thought it was hilarious! I even showed my wife. Glad I didn’t buy that stuff. ;)
Curtis MiLLER wow hey dude! Nice meeting ya out there! The HST doc is coming along. I’m still shooting interviews for it. It will be released May 5th. Long way out, but this one should be really good. :)
I've watched a lot of videos on the JMT (as it's a dream hike of mine). 12 minutes in and easily one of the most enjoyable I've watched. Really liking your edit style. Earned a sub for sure. Looking forward to checking out more.
Great video, Chris. I thru-hiked the JMT in 2014 and was on trail (section hiking) this year about the same time as you, but don't think we crossed paths. Nice to see that BPL helped sponsored you since I'm a lifetime member, but haven't been on as much lately. You must have put in ALOT of hours editing with all of the special effects...labor of love, eh? Nice that you added the gear and tech details...no weights??? ;) . I really enjoyed the nighttime shot with stars between Mather and Pinchot (@ 23:50). Thanks for the Christmas present!
Hey! Glad ya liked it! Yep it was a good 350 hours. Mostly because of the learning curve and the soundtrack stuff. Here's my gear list: lighterpack.com/r/6p6i2h I indulged a bit, so it was a bit heavier than I hoped. At its heaviest I was 35lbs out of MTR. Yeah I was impressed that my little sony rx100 picked up the milkyway so well. I took a TON of night sky time lapses. Most didn't turn out. I wish I could remember the settings for the ones that did! I think it was ISO1600, F1.8 and 30 sec exposures. I think.
I have to say...the editing and quality of this film is very impressive. But above all, I am impressed with your ability to hike this trail solo! the planning before the trip teaches us all how to succeed on a trail like the JMT!
Awesome perspective and great video! I am headed out in August 2017 and really looking forward to it. Looks like you had roughly the same planned camps as me, so I was glad to see some of your footage out there! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us!
Well it's been said a thousand times already I'm sure, but that was fabulous in every sense of the word. Great editing & design. Great story telling - I take my hat off to you Chris :) Looks like a great hike as well. Certainly on my list!
I think that may not be Mount Lyell at 3:57, as there is a permanent snowfield on the north side and I believe a ridge blocks Lyell from sight at Donohue Pass. The top of Lyell may be visible second from the right at 3:52, though -- not 100% sure. Also, excellent video. Even if I stepped up my game when it comes to documenting outdoor pursuits, I think this would still be an order of magnitude better.
Scott Barnes Interesting, I'll check into that. I been over Donahue 3 times now and ya think I'd get it right by now. ;) My big mess up was "Bushnell Point" on day 1. Apparently it's "Bunnell point." Oops.
great video, really nice camping spots.....i kind of enjoyed the one pic of the lake and peak with the the drawing of the clouds in the sky and the fish jumping out of the water haha......how was the weather at night for the most part when u did this late aug/beginning sept ....i actually was going to do this last aug 2016 forn aug 12 to sept 6ish...had my permit and resupplies at tmeadows, reds mtr and onion valley but the people i was going with decided to turn into someone different than i had hiked with and got to know over the previous 8 months, anyway happy trails, i will be starting aug 1...
loved this! found it via your post on the FB JMT group. i think it was the first JMT video my kids actually wanted to sit through with me. we're hoping to do it as a family in '18 when they're 16, 14, and 11...if my daughter can get over the idea of having to use a cat hole.
Andy Beecham I've got the same hopes! In 7-8 years I'm hoping my wife and kids will be up to it! Actually, the main motivation for making this movie was to show my kids.
Thanks so much Deanna! This is really the project that started me down the film making path and changed my life in so many ways. There’s a pretty big announcement coming soon, so if you’re interested you can follow Outmersive films on social media. It should be announced within 2 weeks at latest.
Really nice video! How do you like the arcteryx rain jacket? The arcteryx staff say that it's not meant for 'backpacking' due to heavy loads and abrasion wearing down the material quickly. Do you think it'd be true for ultralight loads?
Jimmy Zhang Oops sorry for the late reply. The Arcteryx Norvan SL was awesome. No abrasion issues yet. However it's only seen 4-5 trips, and very little rain. 95% of the time it stayed in my pack.
Jimmy Zhang Just saw the last part of your message. I thinks it's ok for UL loads for trips with a small/medium chance of rain. For very wet trips I might opt for the zPacks challenger instead. Light, but seems a little tougher.
Very cool man! I love the personal aspects of your story. Your family, etc. I'm looking to tackle this beast next year and I'll miss my family the most too. Just got back from a 9 day solo Trek in Peru. It was heaven.
Thanks! Yes the hardest part was definitely being away from the kids. Thank goodness for sat phones so at least I knew they were ok. Good luck on the JMT! It's awesome!
It started with "Chris is awesome" and I thought, here we go, but fucking hell what a production. This is the best produced JMT video I've ever watched, superb (and informative in places). Great stuff you made me hit subscribe!
Watching this video again, because I just got permits! As always, great video. But hey I'm looking into the arch haul and the bearikade. How did the horizontal aluminum bar in the middle of the pack work with the bear canister? Was there ever any fear of it bending with the pressure from the canister?
Zero at the time this was made. Didn’t even get my feet wet. But this year is a higher snow year, so I’d watch out for Bear creek, evolution creek, and maybe a few others.
Chris, thank you for an amazing journey. Cathy and I are two months away from a long planned week in Yosemite valley and we have daily hikes planned. Your trip has me dreaming of taking on the entire JMT someday. BTW the music was awesome, too. Blessings to you a and yours.
Looks likea lot of time spent with those animations and motion tracked titles and graphics. This is probably the craftiest edit I've seen of someone's experience with the JMT. Well done!
+WasatchWill Thanks! I'm still learning FCPX, so every trick I learned at the time ended up in the finished product. ;) Since then I've learned a lot. But... it's funny. Despite the amateur quality of this project, it will likely always be my favorite because it represents such an amazing part of my life.
How did you film the video of the stars and the shooting stars towards the beginning? Is that some kind of time lapse option on your camera? Also, how did you pack the bearikade in that arc haul? was there enough room for it without it rubbing on the pack? How did the Norvan jacket end up working out for you?
+aklags Hi there. I used the Sony rx100 iv with the time lapse app installed that I downloaded from the Sony playmemories store. Worked great. If I remember right, I set 30 sec exposures, F1.8, and ISO1600. I used a tiny ultrapod for a tripod. I had to clean up some ISO noise in post with an app by neatvideo.com. As for the Arc Haul, I had the Bearikade vertical in my pack. Fit fine with plenty of room for a big stuff sack next to it, and my water bladder on top. The bearikades do have a sharp-ish edge that have cut through 3 of my packs now. (Others include a ULA catalyst, and a custom Zimmerbuilt pack). Luckily it's minor and a little patch of duct tape on the inside of the pack resolves that. The Norvan SL was great for me. Breathes VERY well. Didn't wet out. Best hood I've ever had. Zipper is nice and smooth. No durability issues yet. However I hit very little rain so I didn't wear it much. Some others on BackpackingLight.com have noticed some zipper leakage so it may be wise to find that thread if you want more opinions.
Wow, 3 weeks away from home? That's badass! I remember being deployed during Desert Storm thinking about how hard it would be to be gone for an entire 3 weeks with only occasional internet and a sat phone.
Yep my High Sierra Trail project is definitely the biggest one yet. It will premiere at this event: switchbackshowcase.ticketleap.com then enter the film festival circuit after that.
Hey Chris! Awesome video! We started following each other on Instagram so I figured I'd check out your video. Really great work. I love the animation. You started about two weeks after I finished up last year. It was nice seeing a lot of familiar places. I camped on that same ridge over Mono Creek. It was one of my favourite spots. Great sense of humour too! Keep up the good work :)
Craig Martin Thanks dude! I actually remember seeing your video last year and I shared it on FB! That darn song got stuck in my head. IN YO NATIONAL FOREST!!!!!
Great video Chris. I see you're a ZPacks fan like me. I'm planning on Tahoe to Whitney in August 2017. I also have the Arc Haul pack but haven't used it with a bear can yet. How did the Bearikade work in the Arc Haul?
At its peak I had 7 days of food in the bearikade. Mostly couscous, Olive oil, cheese, tortillas, probars, Powerbars, energy gels, peanut butter m&m's, almonds, and simply snackin jerky. My appetite was small at elevation, so I had extra food, and ended up losing 13 lbs on the trip. Next time I'll probably lower my calorie intake to 2200-ish per day and just plan on losing some chub. :)
Great video! I really enjoyed it! I will likely be hitting you up with random questions over the next few months with questions about a JMT thru! And thanks for the shout out!
Very engaging and visually interesting film particularly with the animations and just generally really well edited, plus quite good music. One water question- you carried a mini Sawyer and a 3l Platypus. Did you always purify? How much did you usually carry?
Suffern Podiatry Hi there! Yep I always purified using a sawyer mini on an evernew bladder. (Evernew threading mates well with Sawyer minis.) My main water bladder for drinking was the 3 liter platy. Slightly excessive setup, so I'll probably simplify next time. I mailed myself a fresh sawyer mini at VVR and was glad I did. The flow slows down after a while. Many are happier with a mini and a few smart water bottles. But I personally don't drink enough unless I have the bladder nozzle dangling in front of me. I'm kind of weird like that.
Awesome video! I am glad I stumbled upon it. Great production too really liked the effects and music you did to go along with your epic journey. I can't wait to do the JMT someday. I do have a few question. Why did you decide to go alone? How did you keep all your electronic gear charged?
James McMillan Thanks! Backpacking with friends is fun, and I enjoy that sometimes. Going alone just feels more relaxing and detoxing. I'm an anxious person by nature, and I have a stressful job. Hanging out in the mountains by myself let's me chill out and refocus on stuff that matters. As for batteries, I carried a bunch of spares (cheap on Amazon) and resupplied them along the way. I only recharged them once at VVR. I averaged a GoPro battery per day, and an rx100 battery every ~1.5 days.
jemadmonkey Heya! I'm working on another film project for a trip I just finished in Colorado. It turns out I was planning to create a gear video for that, and the gear is 90% the same as what I used on the JMT. Should be released in mid May-ish. :)
Thanks dude! I'm working on a new project now called "Alcove". It's a HUGE jump in quality as I'm now using pro camera gear. I'm also releasing a gear video on May 22nd here: vimeo.com/chrisisawesome
Phenomenal video. So unique. So enjoyable. Completely inspirational. Thanks for sharing! 🌿🍂🌲🐿🦟🐝🦅🦋⛰🗺⛺️
Freakin' sweet video, Chris! My girlfriend and I hiked the JMT in the summer of '15, and this brought back some amazing memories. Thank you for letting all of us tag along on your awesome journey!
I did 2007 and 2014 hikes North to South 19 days both times. I love your video….great memories !
You are such a great visual storyteller. It was nice to be on the journey with you!
Absolutely fantastic.
You helped me accomplish a goal, virtually. Thank you!
What an amazing trip, thanks for taking me along.
Yep is was awesome!! I was blessed to have the opportunity to go. :)
I spend more time than I would like to admit watching hiking videos on UA-cam and I don't comment on any of them, I just enjoy watching them particularly during the winter when I cannot be on the trail, but this video right here was so well done I felt it was time to comment because you deserve it. Seriously, excellent video and congratulations on your completion of the JMT and I appreciate you taking the time to create this and share with all of us. I leave for the South Lake loop over Bishop and Muir pass on Wednesday next week and I can't wait!
Thanks Mike! Have fun on your trip! Bishop and Muir should be exciting this time of year with all the snow so be safe.
hamsterfish I'm scared, lol
So well done. Thank you for the love and time you put into this. Best to you and your family.
Thanks Lawrence!
Nice. Glad you had a good time. There are so many beautiful places in the Sierra. I did the JMT in 2015 then went back last year for a loop of my own design that started on the High Sierra Trail. I can't get enough of the Sierra. Planning on a 280 mile hike for 2017 that will hit most of the places I walked right by when doing the JMT in 2015. Keep it up and teach - actually let - your kids love nature and hiking.
After doing Mount Whitney for the first time last year I really enjoyed watching this video, gave me good vibes. I would love to do something like this but who the hell am I kidding, I picked up the love of hiking in my later years and my knee is starting to revolt. I hope you and your beautiful kids have a great time in the future hiking thru Forrester pass.
Really awesome video! Thanks for taking me along with you!
Wow and an amazing journey and has inspired me to get out and enjoy life once again. TY for taking me along...
Mickey B Anytime! I’ve got more projects underway so stay tuned. :)
i'm so impressed by this - my husband and i hiked onion valley to whitney portal 10 years ago. forester pass killed us. i don't know how you got from forester to guitar lake in one day. and to get from the lake to the portal in one day - you guys were slaying it. we collapsed at trail camp and i was in bed by 6 pm. mad props! love this video - thanks for bringing it all back. man do i miss the sierras!
Nicki Fenderson Thanks Nikki! Yep Forester is no joke! Beautiful though huh?
stunning! we're from the east coast and live at like 700 ft above sea level, so it was BRUTAL. the JMT is on my bucket list. what did you use to film the video? we're heading to iceland later this year and i'm in search of a backup camera for stills and video. thanks again for the memories!
Nicki Fenderson I used a little GoPro hero 4 Black edition, and a Sony rx100m4. Super nice and portable. Though I'm considering upgrading to the Sony A7r2 after chatting with the Muir Project guys.
Thanks for this Chris. Brought back a lot of really great memories.
Chris, thank you for putting all that together. Incredible video!
Absolutely outstanding video. And I've seen them all. Great job Chris!
MrDrDemento Thanks dude!
I loved your film!!! the graphics were great ...thanks so much for sharing. I did the trail in 2015 and it's so nice to see how you labeled all the peaks and passes for a very nice trip down memory lane. Namaste!
kate
Outstanding work Chris.
Grunt in a Hammock Thanks man!
That was so awesome! Thanks! I can't get enough and it put butterflies in my stomach to think that in 226 days, I will begin my Journey on the JMT!! EEK!!
Awesome video! I've watched it several times. I've never seen someone with editing experience hike the JMT, so this is a nice change. Honestly, this is probably the best account of the trail that I've yet found. Most people are like, "this is my experience," and nothing else. You actually put trail info and landmarks and stuff, and it's much more informative that way. Goodonya!
I must have passed you as I headed north from Rae Lakes on Sept. 8th! I can't wait to do the entire JMT, videos like yours inspire me to do it earlier than later. Thank you for sharing it with us all
hodgdog Heya! Hard to tell from your pic, but you kind of look familiar. Did we chat just north of Mather?
I was just doing a East-West trip from Onion Valley to Road's End, via Rae Lakes. We may have spoken at the Wood Creek Bridge, most hikers remember my giant straw hat (not pictured).
Applause, applause, applause, applause.. Your creative skills on this video and the final outcome was just amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I only hope one day to have videos this freaking good. Subbed and liked!
Don P Thanks so much Don! I'm still learning this video stuff so I think I'll get better with each project. :)
Chris is Awesome...videography, stills, music, post production, editing. Damn, this vid was a professional as it gets. My congrats. I hope you do more. As a 40+ year survivor from network TV in Hollyweird I know what's good and what isn't. This video was GREAT. Just top notch production value. A lot of work to shoot and edit and it shows. Congrats.
Thanks so much Frederick! I learned a lot of lessons from this for sure. I've got another trip planned in April where I'll be using all new camera gear. So I expect that to be a step up as far as quality. :)
Looking forward, maybe with that video you could list the new year...tnx
Thanks Chris, I really enjoyed your video! Your hike seemed very similar to mine in 2014. About the same time of year and very similar itinerary. I didn't get to summit Mt Whitney though. I had a storm on the last night too, but it was a big long thunderstorm that lasted well into the next day. The hike up to, and over Trail Crest was treacherous enough, so I decided to play it safe and continue down to the Portal instead of risking my life heading to the summit. A very difficult decision, but "gethomeitis" got the better of me and I decided not to wait it out and take an extra day to summit. Glad you made it! Cheers!
Great video. Just what I needed to fill my hiking fix at the start of winter. It was great to see those places again. Hiked the JMT in 14' and am ready to go back again. The toughest part for me, as well, was missing the family.
WOW CHRIS! Fantastic job capturing your hike and thank you so much for sharing it with us. Amazing job editing!!!
BF
Thanks dude! It was awesome hiking with ya in Florida.
what an epic adventure brother I so want to do what you did. also you did an a amazing job on filming and editing I am so impressed keep up the good work and happy trails.
Since everyone else is commenting on the footage, etc... i'd just like to make a comment about the music. It was beautiful and perfectly complimented the scenery. I loved it
Thanks Skylar! I'm guessing I spent a good 150+ hours tracking and mixing the soundtrack in my spare bedroom. Glad to hear it's being noticed. :) I've actually been working on the soundtrack for my next project. This time in Colorado with a well known individual in the outdoor industry. :)
Excellent video, graphics, video and info. Tough solo walk...looking fwd to my trip !
Larry Kaminski Thanks! You're gunna LOVE it! And if you're anything like me, you'll miss it afterward!
I finally watched the whole thing, and was completely captivated. I love his video and I can't wait to hike the JMT someday. Thank you!
+Doug Johnson glad ya liked it! I've got new stuff in the works if you're interested: vimeo.com/chrisisawesome
Yes- I can't wait!
Amazing editing...a lot of value added. Great video and narration. Can’t wait till I get my turn to do this beautiful trail.
Your videos are awesome and I love the music you produce! I have done most of the JMT and it is so fun to relive it through your lens. I’m looking forward to future productions!
thank you for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed that.
sdcaeastcountyfamily Glad ya liked it! :)
Excellent video! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome video man, looking forward to getting off the FT and checking your entire library out at home on my monitor
Thanks! Hope your back is feeling better.
Chris...this is without a doubt the best video Ive seen hiking the JMT.....youve done an excellent job....thank you for sharing your awesome journey and your private thoughts of your beautiful family....I know you were yearning to get home...but I couldnt help but wonder if you were sad that it was over....such a dream come true !!!
This is one of the best videos on here for the JMT! Thanks
Great adventure and video!
I did it NOBO in 2019, 8/28-9/12 from Horseshoe Meadows summit ting Whitney at 6pm on day #2.
Unforgettable adventure for sure.
Congratulations!
That section where you placed the footage your kids in the sky over the mountains was a fantastic edit.
Uriah Graves Thanks! That part was kind of a big deal to me. My kids loved it too!
Wow, fantastic video! I was a bit intimidated by the length of the video at first, but you kept the audience captivated from start to finish! Awesome!
So I started chucking at the horse talk bit, but full-on lost it at the gobbling chips clip.
This was awesome, thank you for sharing!
Thanks! Crazy coincidence, I actually saw your pocket cocktails video a while back and thought it was hilarious! I even showed my wife. Glad I didn’t buy that stuff. ;)
@@OutmersiveFilms Thank you so much!
That was kind of the first time I'd made a video and actually felt not incredibly embarrassed by it.
Hey Chris! I hope all is well. I hope production on the HST video is coming along. I am looking forward to seeing it. - Curtis
Curtis MiLLER wow hey dude! Nice meeting ya out there! The HST doc is coming along. I’m still shooting interviews for it. It will be released May 5th. Long way out, but this one should be really good. :)
I've watched a lot of videos on the JMT (as it's a dream hike of mine). 12 minutes in and easily one of the most enjoyable I've watched. Really liking your edit style. Earned a sub for sure. Looking forward to checking out more.
Thanks! So glad ya liked it.
Great video, Chris. I thru-hiked the JMT in 2014 and was on trail (section hiking) this year about the same time as you, but don't think we crossed paths. Nice to see that BPL helped sponsored you since I'm a lifetime member, but haven't been on as much lately. You must have put in ALOT of hours editing with all of the special effects...labor of love, eh? Nice that you added the gear and tech details...no weights??? ;) . I really enjoyed the nighttime shot with stars between Mather and Pinchot (@ 23:50). Thanks for the Christmas present!
Hey! Glad ya liked it! Yep it was a good 350 hours. Mostly because of the learning curve and the soundtrack stuff. Here's my gear list: lighterpack.com/r/6p6i2h I indulged a bit, so it was a bit heavier than I hoped. At its heaviest I was 35lbs out of MTR.
Yeah I was impressed that my little sony rx100 picked up the milkyway so well. I took a TON of night sky time lapses. Most didn't turn out. I wish I could remember the settings for the ones that did! I think it was ISO1600, F1.8 and 30 sec exposures. I think.
And yes, BPL has been very kind and supportive of my little project. Look for an article soon!
Chris, great video. I hope to hike the jmt .
Manuel Herrera Thanks! It takes a little planning but it's totally worth it! I hope to do it again. Maybe 2018.
Nice video Chris. I think I was finishing up my NoBo hike just as you were starting yours. Small world.
I have to say...the editing and quality of this film is very impressive. But above all, I am impressed with your ability to hike this trail solo! the planning before the trip teaches us all how to succeed on a trail like the JMT!
That was fantastic!! Thank you for sharing, I can only imagine the work it took.
Thanks! Yep this was my first film effort . It took foooorever to make this since I had no real editing experience at the time.
Awesome perspective and great video! I am headed out in August 2017 and really looking forward to it. Looks like you had roughly the same planned camps as me, so I was glad to see some of your footage out there! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us!
I want to do this hike! Thank you SO much for sharing!
WOW! The editing of your video is Outstanding!!
Thanks!
Well done Chris. Amazing.
Incredible video! The audio, video, editing, narration, everything was fantastic.
That was really well done. Thanks for sharing!
Great video.... I am surprised you don't have more subscribers.... you earned a loyal follower here though! Keep up the good work.
Thanks! I hear that a lot. Maybe someday more people will start liking my stuff. :)
Well it's been said a thousand times already I'm sure, but that was fabulous in every sense of the word. Great editing & design. Great story telling - I take my hat off to you Chris :) Looks like a great hike as well. Certainly on my list!
JP_SABO Thanks! :)
I think that may not be Mount Lyell at 3:57, as there is a permanent snowfield on the north side and I believe a ridge blocks Lyell from sight at Donohue Pass. The top of Lyell may be visible second from the right at 3:52, though -- not 100% sure.
Also, excellent video. Even if I stepped up my game when it comes to documenting outdoor pursuits, I think this would still be an order of magnitude better.
Scott Barnes Interesting, I'll check into that. I been over Donahue 3 times now and ya think I'd get it right by now. ;) My big mess up was "Bushnell Point" on day 1. Apparently it's "Bunnell point." Oops.
Scott Barnes Nope I got it right! Was starting to question myself for a second. goo.gl/images/WQy0yz
I still screwed up Bunnell point though. ;)
Loved your video! Bringing back the memories👍🏼
Pam Pinder Thanks Pam!
great video, really nice camping spots.....i kind of enjoyed the one pic of the lake and peak with the the drawing of the clouds in the sky and the fish jumping out of the water haha......how was the weather at night for the most part when u did this late aug/beginning sept ....i actually was going to do this last aug 2016 forn aug 12 to sept 6ish...had my permit and resupplies at tmeadows, reds mtr and onion valley but the people i was going with decided to turn into someone different than i had hiked with and got to know over the previous 8 months, anyway happy trails, i will be starting aug 1...
brian simpkins Heya! The nights were pretty cool. I'd guess 45-30F.
Excellent video! I'm glad it popped up in my UA-cam suggestions.
loved this! found it via your post on the FB JMT group. i think it was the first JMT video my kids actually wanted to sit through with me. we're hoping to do it as a family in '18 when they're 16, 14, and 11...if my daughter can get over the idea of having to use a cat hole.
Andy Beecham I've got the same hopes! In 7-8 years I'm hoping my wife and kids will be up to it! Actually, the main motivation for making this movie was to show my kids.
Quality video. Very creative way to feature JMT. Thank you.
Thanks so much Deanna! This is really the project that started me down the film making path and changed my life in so many ways. There’s a pretty big announcement coming soon, so if you’re interested you can follow Outmersive films on social media. It should be announced within 2 weeks at latest.
Fantastic video!
Really nice video! How do you like the arcteryx rain jacket? The arcteryx staff say that it's not meant for 'backpacking' due to heavy loads and abrasion wearing down the material quickly. Do you think it'd be true for ultralight loads?
Jimmy Zhang Oops sorry for the late reply. The Arcteryx Norvan SL was awesome. No abrasion issues yet. However it's only seen 4-5 trips, and very little rain. 95% of the time it stayed in my pack.
Jimmy Zhang Just saw the last part of your message. I thinks it's ok for UL loads for trips with a small/medium chance of rain. For very wet trips I might opt for the zPacks challenger instead. Light, but seems a little tougher.
As soon as the shot showing the sunrise from Mt. Whitney hit, I was awestruck.
Uriah ذ ؤيؤ
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Is the song in the beginning (from the 2:00-4:00 mark) an original? It’s amazing! Very shoegaze-y
Thanks! Yep. All those songs were written and recorded in my spare bedroom. :)
Very cool man! I love the personal aspects of your story. Your family, etc. I'm looking to tackle this beast next year and I'll miss my family the most too. Just got back from a 9 day solo Trek in Peru. It was heaven.
Thanks! Yes the hardest part was definitely being away from the kids. Thank goodness for sat phones so at least I knew they were ok. Good luck on the JMT! It's awesome!
enjoyed your editing and the creative way you added text. I'd like to see a video on your process if you ever feel compelled to share a tutorial
Adam Gibbs Thanks! Interesting idea. The process is loooong, so it may be hard to sum up in a video, but I'll give it some thought.
It started with "Chris is awesome" and I thought, here we go, but fucking hell what a production. This is the best produced JMT video I've ever watched, superb (and informative in places). Great stuff you made me hit subscribe!
Awesome video, I love it !
Watching this video again, because I just got permits! As always, great video. But hey I'm looking into the arch haul and the bearikade. How did the horizontal aluminum bar in the middle of the pack work with the bear canister? Was there ever any fear of it bending with the pressure from the canister?
A Real I had the same concern before buying it, but it was great. No issues at all with the bearikade weekender. :)
How many streams did you have to cross that were knee to waist deep?
Zero at the time this was made. Didn’t even get my feet wet. But this year is a higher snow year, so I’d watch out for Bear creek, evolution creek, and maybe a few others.
How the the tent work out, also howany liters is your pack?
Tent was amazing, and it’s seen several dozen trips since then and is still holding up like a champ. The Zpacks Arc haul pack is 62L I believe.
Chris, thank you for an amazing journey. Cathy and I are two months away from a long planned week in Yosemite valley and we have daily hikes planned. Your trip has me dreaming of taking on the entire JMT someday. BTW the music was awesome, too. Blessings to you a and yours.
Looks likea lot of time spent with those animations and motion tracked titles and graphics. This is probably the craftiest edit I've seen of someone's experience with the JMT. Well done!
+WasatchWill Thanks! I'm still learning FCPX, so every trick I learned at the time ended up in the finished product. ;) Since then I've learned a lot. But... it's funny. Despite the amateur quality of this project, it will likely always be my favorite because it represents such an amazing part of my life.
Ya a great epic time on the JMP THANK YOU Just may see you on the trail and I will say thank you for showing me the way. JoP
So Cool! Hamsterfish The the JMT is on my bucket list. Thanks for the great video!
How did you film the video of the stars and the shooting stars towards the beginning? Is that some kind of time lapse option on your camera? Also, how did you pack the bearikade in that arc haul? was there enough room for it without it rubbing on the pack? How did the Norvan jacket end up working out for you?
+aklags Hi there. I used the Sony rx100 iv with the time lapse app installed that I downloaded from the Sony playmemories store. Worked great. If I remember right, I set 30 sec exposures, F1.8, and ISO1600. I used a tiny ultrapod for a tripod. I had to clean up some ISO noise in post with an app by neatvideo.com.
As for the Arc Haul, I had the Bearikade vertical in my pack. Fit fine with plenty of room for a big stuff sack next to it, and my water bladder on top. The bearikades do have a sharp-ish edge that have cut through 3 of my packs now. (Others include a ULA catalyst, and a custom Zimmerbuilt pack). Luckily it's minor and a little patch of duct tape on the inside of the pack resolves that.
The Norvan SL was great for me. Breathes VERY well. Didn't wet out. Best hood I've ever had. Zipper is nice and smooth. No durability issues yet. However I hit very little rain so I didn't wear it much. Some others on BackpackingLight.com have noticed some zipper leakage so it may be wise to find that thread if you want more opinions.
Cool video :) and nice editing :)
jdjd 0 Thanks!
Great video! Would love to do JMT one day. Need to train first and still have some kind of heights fear I should probably get rid of :P
Francis Chouquet Thanks! The heights aren't actually that bad. Just a few areas of exposure around Forester pass and Whitney.
hamsterfish that is what I understood. Thanks for answering :-)
Wow, 3 weeks away from home? That's badass! I remember being deployed during Desert Storm thinking about how hard it would be to be gone for an entire 3 weeks with only occasional internet and a sat phone.
roaddog1m I think we can safely assume that what you did for our country was way more badass. Thanks so much and happy Veterans Day weekend!
Well done, Chris!
Wait, what??! You're doing a video on the HAT?
Cool! Can't wait to see it. I'm sure it will be very helpful in our planning for this summer :-)
HST... not HAT... dumb auto correct strikes again:-(
Yep my High Sierra Trail project is definitely the biggest one yet. It will premiere at this event: switchbackshowcase.ticketleap.com then enter the film festival circuit after that.
Hey Chris! Awesome video! We started following each other on Instagram so I figured I'd check out your video. Really great work. I love the animation. You started about two weeks after I finished up last year. It was nice seeing a lot of familiar places. I camped on that same ridge over Mono Creek. It was one of my favourite spots. Great sense of humour too! Keep up the good work :)
Craig Martin Thanks dude! I actually remember seeing your video last year and I shared it on FB! That darn song got stuck in my head. IN YO NATIONAL FOREST!!!!!
Great shots, great edit! Well done!
Great video Chris. I see you're a ZPacks fan like me. I'm planning on Tahoe to Whitney in August 2017. I also have the Arc Haul pack but haven't used it with a bear can yet. How did the Bearikade work in the Arc Haul?
Heya! The Arc Haul worked awesome with the bearikade. No issues. :)
How many meals & what type of meals did you fit into that weekender?
At its peak I had 7 days of food in the bearikade. Mostly couscous, Olive oil, cheese, tortillas, probars, Powerbars, energy gels, peanut butter m&m's, almonds, and simply snackin jerky. My appetite was small at elevation, so I had extra food, and ended up losing 13 lbs on the trip. Next time I'll probably lower my calorie intake to 2200-ish per day and just plan on losing some chub. :)
Great video! I really enjoyed it! I will likely be hitting you up with random questions over the next few months with questions about a JMT thru! And thanks for the shout out!
Thanks Stick! Heck yeah feel free to ping me anytime. :)
i watch a LOT of JMT/hiking videos.. WOW this is a good one. Amazing production quality and fantastic scenes
potatothorn Thanks! Glad ya liked it. :) I just upgraded my camera gear so expect the next one to be waaaay better. :) Next project starts in 2 weeks.
wow, how much bettre can it get? ! looking forward to the next one
Most Excellent, Chris! Definitely one of my favourite JMT videos! Curious what you are using to label those features - love that!!
Thanks! I used a variety of plugins from ripple media and Motionvfx for those.
I absolutely love your videos and the editing that you put into them! It makes me want to get in the woods and start hiking! Thank you!
You’re very welcome. Glad ya like them!
Great video
I LOVED it Chris. My Son and his friend are going for it, later this year. Awesome:)👍🏽💖
Very engaging and visually interesting film particularly with the animations and just generally really well edited, plus quite good music. One water question- you carried a mini Sawyer and a 3l Platypus. Did you always purify? How much did you usually carry?
Suffern Podiatry Hi there! Yep I always purified using a sawyer mini on an evernew bladder. (Evernew threading mates well with Sawyer minis.)
My main water bladder for drinking was the 3 liter platy. Slightly excessive setup, so I'll probably simplify next time. I mailed myself a fresh sawyer mini at VVR and was glad I did. The flow slows down after a while. Many are happier with a mini and a few smart water bottles. But I personally don't drink enough unless I have the bladder nozzle dangling in front of me. I'm kind of weird like that.
Good stuff! Tempted to do something similar on the AT this year. Kudos!
Good luck on the AT! If you make a vid on it definitely send it over! I’m more active on the outmersive FB and IG
hey Chris nice video very nice thanks
Awesome video! I am glad I stumbled upon it. Great production too really liked the effects and music you did to go along with your epic journey. I can't wait to do the JMT someday.
I do have a few question.
Why did you decide to go alone?
How did you keep all your electronic gear charged?
James McMillan Thanks! Backpacking with friends is fun, and I enjoy that sometimes. Going alone just feels more relaxing and detoxing. I'm an anxious person by nature, and I have a stressful job. Hanging out in the mountains by myself let's me chill out and refocus on stuff that matters.
As for batteries, I carried a bunch of spares (cheap on Amazon) and resupplied them along the way. I only recharged them once at VVR. I averaged a GoPro battery per day, and an rx100 battery every ~1.5 days.
Any chance of you doing a gear review?
jemadmonkey Heya! I'm working on another film project for a trip I just finished in Colorado. It turns out I was planning to create a gear video for that, and the gear is 90% the same as what I used on the JMT. Should be released in mid May-ish. :)
+jemadmonkey Heads up, gear overview video now up on Vimeo.com/chrisisawesome
Thank you Chris. I watched it right after you posted. Great vid!
Thanks for the video. Did you really manage to camp by yourself that much?
Paul Jenkins Yep! Many times I went off trail 100 yards or so and found some great spots without anyone nearby.
Those weren't horses at Reds Meadows. ;)
He told me he was a horse. He lied!!!!
Yep, mule's. The bastage pulled your lariat..lol
btw, dug your video, nice gear too.
Thanks dude! I'm working on a new project now called "Alcove". It's a HUGE jump in quality as I'm now using pro camera gear. I'm also releasing a gear video on May 22nd here: vimeo.com/chrisisawesome
Very nice!