A sign marks the Appalachian Trail. (Compass Points Media / flickr) http://www.flickr.com/photos/compasspointsmedia/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
Scott Adams, who runs the Web site PAHikes.com, had a pretty definitive answer when I asked him months ago for Backpacker‘s readers choice edition what he considered to be the top “Life List” trip in the northeast.
The 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine, Adams said.
“The idea that on the east coast, with the high density of population here, we have a trail where you are essentially on your own, and there’s nothing – there’s nothing – is incredible to think about,” he answered. “That we have that ruggedness that’s available to us, I see that as a challenge.”
What hiker or backpacker living in the northeast hasn’t considered the 100 Mile Wilderness, a rickety and remote section of Maine trail passing through high pines, rocky ridges, mirror lakes, bogs, fresh streams and moose habitat? Not a hiker lives in the northeast who isn’t either daunted, challenged or inspired to give it a try, since it may be the longest section of trail without nearby towns this side of the Mississippi River.
Aspiring filmmaker Allegra Hyde has captured the human side of exploring the 100 Mile Wilderness in her impressive movie below. The central figure is her soft-spoken father, who having never previously backpacked into the woods has chosen the 100 Mile Wilderness as the place where he’ll give it the ol’ first try. The film is 23 minutes long, but entertaining, organized and well crafted.
Hyde has filmmaking talent. This isn’t a cliché documentary about wilderness. The Maine woods are tenderly used as backdrop for her father’s trip, and I applaud her for her ability to tell a story with a camera. There’s some humor and cringe-worthy material such as when you see they’re planning to haul 40-pound packs on a 10-day journey. And notice the understated irony as father and daughter pass a large truck hauling cut timber as they approach the trail head.
Bravo, Allegra Hyde! Worthy effort.
Hundred Mile Wilderness (Updated) from Allegra Hyde on Vimeo.
