 I hope you had a chance to see some of the great movies from the Yoga post and are ready for Part II – Hiking!
Hiking is one of the best ways to help you connect with nature and nurture your spirit. Especially in today’s digital age, being outdoors in the wilderness far away from civilization is is the ideal recipe to decompress. Breathing fresh, clean air, and enjoying solitude, gives you a different perspective and will help you recharge your soul. There are also plenty of physical attributes, as you feel physically rejuvenated, and this uplifting exercise also gives you a sense of accomplishment.. Hiking will strengthen your body while feeding your soul; and pushing through steeper terrain will promote cardiovascular fitness and endurance. promoting overall physical well-being. For some historical perspective, Scottish-born, American naturalist John Muir (1838 –1914), was an important early advocate of hiking and preservation of wilderness in the United States. He pushed the U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States. To get a real taste of the activity, the fitness and spiritual value, we’ve pulled together a handful of terrific documentaries you may not know about. From the John Muir tails of California, to the Camino in Spain, these engaging movies will inspire you to plan your next outdoor adventure. The title links you to the film website, where you can watch a trailer and learn more. Watch Now links below each film take you directly to platform to view film. The Long Start to the Journey This film was made on the beautiful (and often harsh) Appalachian Trail, day after day walking and sharing the experience with a cast of real, fascinating personalities who were following their own journeys on the trail. The Long Start to the Journey, a feature film about the Appalachian Trail, is now available to the public on BluRay, DVD, and via digital download! Watch Movie Mile, Mile and a Half In an epic snow year, five friends leave their daily lives behind to hike California’s historic John Muir Trail, a 211-mile stretch from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.). Their goal — complete the journey in 25 days while capturing the amazing sights & sounds they encounter along the way. Inspired by their bond, humor, artistry & dedication, the group continues to grow: to include other artists, musicians & adventure seekers. Before they all reach the summit, hikers and viewers alike affirm the old adage — it’s about the journey, not the destination. Watch Movie Tracks A young woman goes on a 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with four camels and her faithful dog. Watch Movie Tell it on the Mountain It takes a special kind of person to drop everything and walk through the woods for five months. But in a way, these hikers are just like you and me. They have jobs and families, they love their creature comforts. Yet something pulls them to be in nature, to leave everything behind and embark on what’s called a thru-hike. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail involves walking 2,663 miles from Mexico to Canada. The journey lasts from April to October. That translates into about 20 miles a day, every day—on foot. These brave souls face bone-dry deserts, raging rivers, snow-covered mountain passes, mosquitoes, blisters, torrential rains… and the urge to quit. Watch Movie Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago 500 miles on foot. Bunk-beds. Blisters. Stunning landscapes. World-class snorers. Hot searing sun, freezing cold rain. Kindness from strangers. Debilitating injury. Unexpected romance. No toilet paper when you really need it. Profound grief and deep doubt. Hunger. Laughing with new friends. Total exhaustion. You are guaranteed to experience all of this when walking the ancient pilgrim path, the Camino de Santiago. Watch Movie on Amazon Watch Movie on iTunes Great Hiking Trail Resources 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in the US 11 Can't Miss Hiking Trails Best Hikes in America Enjoy the movies, and your next outdoor adventure...and we'll see you next week with Part III where we go Running! |
