2000 Miles to Maine
Director:
Producer:
Douglas Morse
Heide Estes
Morse and Estes found some hikers leaving the trail, but became fascinated with all of the hikers they met. From Jack, who got stuck with an angry dog, to Malice and Kentucky, the Cheech and Chong of the A.T., to Matt and Angie, who planned to get married on the trail when they reached Pennsylvania.
On the first day out, Estes and Morse met Chad, an easy going guy in excellent shape who found himself tempted to walk off the trail after just a few days. Hikers like Chad become our eyes and ears on the journey to Maine's Mount Katahdin, more than 2000 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia.
2000 Miles to Maine is perfect for trail enthusiasts and those planning thru hikes, as well as the armchair set who want to get a fascinating glimpse of trail life and culture. A mother lode of information on trip planning, gear selection and the day to day realities of life on the trail.
2000 Miles to Maine Preview
2000 Miles to Maine Gallery
Buy the DVD
All Region DVD
85 minutes with bonus features
$19.95 + p&p
Press reviews and user comments
Review from The Glossy News by Brian White
Watching the trail end without fanfare, without outside praise but rather with overwhelming personal success and gratification gave me hope in the spirit and steadfast resolve of mankind. It's almost tear-jerking, honestly. I will be watching this film again. In fact, if there was a 2000 Miles to Maine book, I'd buy it too. Sometimes I feel sucked into self-doubt, but this was singly the most uplifting true story I've seen since The Rookie and this didn't even have baseball in it.
From Ryan Jordan of Backpacking Light
You'll have to forget about the desire for elegance and need for introspection that plagues most amateur wilderness filmmakers. 2000 Miles to Maine, rather, is a comic adventure requiring some level of identification with thru-hiking mentality, the ability to forgive the faults of imperfect characters, and a complete disregard for the rules followed by more traditional walkumentaries. This is not your typical popcorn and Red Vines kind of movie, and interpreting some of the humor may require a stronger tang than what a glass of wine has to offer. Thru-hikers that walk for a non-living will love it; people who dream about being a thru-hiker will either change their mind after seeing this movie, or quit their job immediately and hit the trail; people who like the solitude of hiking in the remote mountain West may wonder what all of the fuss is about and cringe at the social (dis)graces often found on the AT; finally, don't show this movie to your Mom if you just graduated high school and are heading to Springer: she'll flip out. Then again, for some those fixin' to find themselves outside the reigns of what parental influence can offer, maybe 2000 Miles to Maine will make a perfect Mother's Day gift.
Morality Disclaimer: This film is unrated but contains visual and vocal material that might be construed as inappropriate by some, including PG-rated language, the use of substances deemed unconventional by those living outside of Humboldt County, and the use of backpacking gear that is heavier than a load of PCT horse crap on a wet spring morning. There is no nudity in the film, despite the fact that there is most definitely some nudity on the Appalachian Trail.
Viewers Feedback
The DVD arrived today in great shape. I've already watched it twice! Thanks for your hard work and devotion to the project, and thanks for getting it out to me in such a quick manner. It is a great piece of work!
The vid is cool. it brought back some very deep memories for me and has ignited my soul for another pilgrimage hopefully next year. what i liked best was how you illustrated the authenticity of the trail-- ALL the walks of life (no pun intended), both good and not so good-- the magnetism that this trail holds for people (heald being a prime example), the culture and the glamorization of such an intense undertaking. it is insightful, comical, and among other things, downright inspiring. well i just wanted to say mad props for putting it together. i plan to share it with a lot of my other trailmates so it will definitely get some much deserved exposure.
We have watched the DVD three times. Susan, my wife, and I have hiked the AT from the access trail in Georgia into North Carolina. We laughed at some of the common problems that everyone seems to run into on the first part of the trail. We found the DVD to be great entertainment.
It was an awesome movie and I look forward to giving it to my fiancé. He is in the planning stages of his thru hike and thought your movie was great.
I just finished watching your movie & it was well worth the wait. I'm sure folks are going to enjoy seeing it at Gathering. Thanks.
Thanks so much for the email. I saw your video at the ALDHA gathering and loved it. I am planning a thru hike for next year and every friend and family member thinks im crazy. so i figured id pick up the dvd to show them and give them an idea as to what its all about. All the best.
I loved the video and have showed it to several friends who liked it as well. This has given me a good deal more perspective and will help me decide for sure to do my AT hike next year. I was very impressed.
Just got the DVD Tuesday (thanks for the prompt delivery) and enjoyed it ... especially Will's Dog (we laughed hysterically!). I did and do enjoy the video I've watched it twice so far ... I appreciate you taking the time to document and produce this.
I was at the ATC screening last summer and enjoyed your movie very much. I'm looking forward to seeing it again.
I had bought another DVD & was sorely disappointed....but, this one is FUNNY, entertaining, & lets you meet some of the Characters (thru-hikers, section hikers & day hikers) on the trail. Thanks again. An Excellent job capturing the real sense of the trail.
I would just like to express my thanks for such a wonderful movie. I have read many books on the AT, and section hiked some of it. Thank you for the addition to my collection
Anybody thinking bout hiking the Appalachian trail or any other long trail needs to watch this show, It inspired me to load up my pack and go hiking and camping, Its also a show i can watch over and over and get something new out of it each time. It also feeds the dream in the back of my head that someday i to will set foot on the Appalachian trail.
Within 24 hours of receiving my copy of 2000 Miles to Maine I had watched it three times! Morse's hard work and devotion to the project translates into a captivating documentary following several thru hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The characters are entertaining, the footage is excellent and the production work brings it all together. It is a great piece of work! A must have for any AT enthusiast or wannabe AT enthusiast!
Loved 2000 Miles to Maine....truly inspiring.