No sound stages were used in the making of this film. There wasn’t a makeup department or trailers or stuntmen. 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.

We set out to make a film that would speak deeply to the people who are closest to the trail and who know it best: the volunteers, hikers, and members of the AT community who have made the trail a part of their lives. Through that aim, we hoped the film would also speak to people who are new to the trail and are fascinated by this enigmatic path. The Long Start to the Journey is an intimate and unflinching depiction of the Appalachian Trail, detailing everything from grotesque blisters to uplifting mountaintop moments. The film also explores the rich history of the A.T.: the early battles that were fought in the trail community to determine what the pathway would be and how those often conflicting visions reflect on the trail today. Through following a complete thru-hike on the trail, viewers experience the range of ecosystems, terrains, and seasons that the A.T. encompasses. They also follow the roller coaster of emotions (trials and triumphs) that filmmaker Chris Gallaway goes through as he makes his 7-month trek with the guidance and support of his girlfriend, Sunshine. This is a true story of the Appalachian Trail. It captures the wonder and excitement of a journey in America’s wilderness.

WRITER, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR

Chris / “Frost”

Writer, photographer, and filmmaker based out of Black Mountain, NC. He started out telling river stories with his award-winning film The Green Race Movie, a documentary about a class V kayak race in the mountains of North Carolina. Taking a quiet, patient approach to filmmaking, Chris is drawn to stories of creativity, culture, and outdoor adventure. His independent production company Horizonline Pictures has produced work for clients ranging from summer camps to tech startups to some of the largest brands in the outdoor industry.

PRODUCER, CAMERA-WOMAN, STAR

Larissa / “Sunshine”

Sunshine is a two-time AT thru-hiker (2004 and ‘05) and currently works as a nurse in the NICU at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. While supporting Chris on his hike Sunshine covered over 350 miles of the trail with him, helping him to document the journey and providing valuable insight and advice along the way. When not visiting Chris on the trail Sunshine was content-manager for the production, downloading memory cards as he shipped them home and returning them by mail with letters and chocolate. Although reluctant to appear on camera, Sunshine became an integral part of the film as her story intertwined with Chris’s. On the trail and in life, Sunshine has been an important influence for Chris in how to take a slower approach and savor the journey.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Ruben & Valerie Rosales

Ruben “Chapinlara” Rosales thru-hiking the AT (at 70 years old) the same year that Chris was on the trail. They first met in the snowed-in Smokies, and they formed a friendship post-holing through 3-foot snow drifts and commiserating through sub-zero nights. Their paths intersected a few times over the months to come as they both made their way north, and months later they were surprised to see each other at Lonesome Lake Hut in the White Mountains. They shared a hair-raising passage across Franconia Ridge as 30-mile-an-hour winds and fog whipped across the mountaintop, and during a brief lull in the adventure Chapinlara sat down to give an interview about his experience. His comments would become the strongest statement in the film about what makes the AT special. “Chapin” and his wife Valerie became central supporters of the film after the trail, helping to see it through to completion (and with Spanish subtitles, in honor of Rubens Guatemalan heritage). Ruben now serves on the board of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. He and Valerie are planning a trek along the Camino de Santiago in 2015.

ORIGINAL MUSIC

Phil Moore

Phil Moore is the front man for the band Bowerbirds. He and his partner/co-creator Beth Tacular live in a cabin they built in the North Carolina woods where they work on music, art, and raising their new baby boy, Autry. Phil wrote original music for The Long Start to the Journey, and he created a selection of songs that add a rich bed of emotion and intrigue beneath the storyline of the film. The soundtrack is filled out with music from artists like Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Aaron Dessner (The National), Takenobu, and Bill Withers. For more about Phil and the Bowerbirds, visit bowerbirds.org.

WEB DEVELOPMENT

David Carroll

David hails from the Pacific Northwest (growing up near Portland, OR) and is a recent transplant to the southeast (Asheville, NC). He started working in web design and development right out of high school and has been learning the craft for over 10 years. He once took a 3,000 mile motorcycle trip from Portland to the Grand Canyon and back. Lately he and his wife Hannah have been exploring the southern Appalachian Mountains (fireflies and rhododendron!). David is responsible for this rich internet home for the film that you are now experiencing.

 Feature-Length Documentary
Running Time: 76 minutes
Country of Origin: United States of America (North Carolina)
Language: English
Shooting Format: HD 1920 x 1080 (filmed on the Nikon D800)
Exhibition Formats: ProRes422HQ, .h264 Quicktime Movie, DVD 16:9 HD, 23.98
2.0 Stereo Mix

Filmed and Produced by Chris and Larissa Gallaway
Executive Producer: Osprey Packs
Featuring Music by: Bowerbirds, Bon Iver, Takenobu, and Bill Withers
Written and Directed by Chris Gallaway