Peter,
A couple of weeks ago I bought your DVDs for the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and North
Kaibab trails. The DVDs are wonderful! It is fantastic to have a complete record of
the trail rather than just isolated views --- this makes all the difference in the world.
I had already taken the south side trails, but I learned a lot
about the topography by combining four pieces of information:
my own experience
the DVDs
the topographic maps
Google Earth's 3D views
These really compliment each other rather than repeating information.
In particular, after viewing the DVDs I understand the South Kaibab much better.
I've taken the Half Dome and Whitney Trails and am anxious to
see what the DVDs show. Thanks for producing these DVDs and
making them available at such a reasonable price.
I'm curious how you took those videos. The camera is very steady; surely
you didn't hold it in your hands all the way down and up!
The complete record of the trail is the crucial issue. I'm surprised that it
works so well. Keep making these videos.
Wish I had a similar record of my St. Helens climb (before it blew up).
Richard Koch from Oregon
koch@math.uoregon.edu
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Peter,
Your videos are a fabulous product that make me look forward to
walking on the treadmill, because I don't feel like I am walking
on a treadmill, I feel like I am walking up Mt. Whitney and the
next thing I know I've done a hour long workout!!!
Daniel C. from New York State
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...Just to let you know the DVDs arrived in Yesterday's mail. I got to watch the first DVD and found it to be awesome.
I just put myself right on that trail and loved every minute of it. It is something I would never ever do in person
as I am so afraid of heights.
But really enjoyed doing it this way from the comfort of my couch. Hopefully, I will be able to continue my trip on #2
disc today.
Thanks so much, what a great idea!
Jessee F. in Lebanon, MO
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Hello Pete,
I just got the DVD and it's beautiful! I was once an avid hiker: I've been on
many of the trails in Yosemite- now I am disabled. So your DVD is a breath
of fresh air. I love it.
Are you going to do Yosemite Falls? Please!!!
Thank you so much ~David
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I watched the entire Tape-2 of the Half Dome Hike one night last week and was thrilled by it. You did a wonderful job
in capturing the essence and reality of the Half Dome hike. I fretted and worried that you might think that because
you had not heard from me sooner that I was disappointed. Nothing could be futher from the truth! I just got so busy
with work here and other stuff that I was slow to respond. The tape was wonderful! Indeed, both are!
I even recognized certain distinguishing logs, trees, and boulders at trailside that I have used as brief resting points
along the trail! It was a real thrill to see them! To witness you plodding along though without any significant rest
stops was amazing!
Your camera work up the cables on the backside of Half Dome really captured the essence of the cables! It was
important to allow the camera to swing a bit because the motion of the camera captured the essence of the cable
climb! It is no easy walk-up! The camera captured that message, and the video conveys it!
Best wishes
Bob L.
Hayward, CA
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From Geert in the Netherlands:
Yesterday evening our whole family have watched the first part of the SK down (your sample) and I can assure you
that we had perfect images (no flickering or whatever). Both my daughters kept "screaming"every five minutes "oh
look there, do you remember that, ....."
You understand the complete DvD of this and of course the other trails will be watched as soon as they have arrived.
Really superb. The work you have done to make these images (I can read between the lines that you mailed) is
incredible. What patience.
I told my wife that because there are no interruptions to be seen on the DvD you must have stopped about every
hour. But how many times have you done these trails before you were satisfied with the results. It must be a lot of
times.
As an (advanced) hobby I take slides and know that out of a film of 36 there are perhaps 3 or 4 usable for a series.
The rest is "experience" (different angels/lighting etc.).
Anyway however many times you've done these trails, the result pays off, georgeous is the only word to describe it.
With this effort I can understand that making another DvD/Video could be almost impossible. (Bright Angel up as a
challenge?) After we've seen the DvD's I'll mail you the rest of our opinion (if we're still able to breathe...)
Till then
Geert, Marijke, Kyra and Saskia, Holland
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Hello Peter,
I just wanted to let you know that I received the DVDs and they are FANTASTIC! They brought back some wonderful
memories.
I have hiked down the South Kaibab Trail and back up the Bright Angel Trail twice and I would do it again without
hesitation. Since you did not have the Bright Angel Trail going up, I got this one and it is great! I will enjoy these
time and time again.
Thanks for the fast shipment. I have left positive feedback.
Sandy G. D.
Peter!
Please do keep me in mind if you ever get the Bright Angel Trail going up. I just finished watching ALL of both DVDs
this weekend and it makes me want to go back and hike the trails again.
Thanks again, Sandy G. D.
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Hi, Pete!
I was so happy to find a thread on the Whitney Portal Store site this morning that gave info about your hike DVDs.
I've hiked the Main Whitney Trail the past 2 summers and was hoping to go again this summer. Unfortunately, due to
injuries and inadequate training, I ended up surrendering my 3 passes back to the Wilderness Permit Office
yesterday and I'm feeling a surprising sense of loss at not getting to hike Whitney this year.
And that's why I was particularly happy to see the info about your Whitney Trail DVD. I'm hoping that watching the
DVD with me will inspire my husband to want to attempt the hike next year. Either that or he'll be completely
convinced it's too hard!
Thanks again!
Lisa
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Peter,
I can't wait. I hiked to the top of Half Dome for the first time in Sept 2004 and
I think about it everyday. I am so happy to have found this video so I can relive
the experience. I will probably end up buying the Whitney video also.
Thanks for making the videos. I can't believe I didn't come across them sooner.
Eric R. Ch.
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Dear hikealongpete,
I got the Bright Angel tapes yesterday and just want to compliment the videographer.
It was as thought I was hiking the trail again. Thanks...Waiting for the Kaibab trail...
Michael
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Danny F., commenting on... http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=230073#230073
While doing a search I happened to stumble upon a full length video of the complete uphill hike to Half Dome in
Yosemite. I've watched DVD #1 of 5 Dvds of this video hike and it brings back great memories. Pete has other video
hikes like the Grand Canyon, Zion etc. It's amazing how smooth his videos are considering the terrain. The videos
would be great while on the treadmill or stair stepper or great entertainment for the hiker.
Danny
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Peter,
Well, I hiked the Mt. Whitney hike on my 50th birthday and made it in 12 1/2 hours. I tried to make your time to the
top but my lowland lungs wouldn't allow it. Your DVD helped alleviate a lot of the apprehension I had about the hike.
I'm always both excited and a bit scared of hard hikes but they always turn out well. I'll make a point of
recommending your video to anyone I talk to who is attempting the hike. I probably watched it five times before and
one time after the hike.
Thanks again for your help.
John R.
Rochester, NY
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Dear hikealongpete,
Not enough room in the feedback to tell you how absolutely delighted I am with these DVDs. Thank you SO MUCH for
having the fantastic idea of filming the walk minute by minute in the first place! I am amazed at how steady the
camera is and plenty of gently turning to view the scenery. How did you keep walking backwards at times, to show us
where you had been, without tripping over? Just enough information pops up on the screen to keep the viewer fully
informed and I am amazed at how smooth the image is, considering you were tramping with a camera. You never
faltered once and didn't seem to stop for a drink! I visited this glorious place for the first time when I took a group of
school children (from UK) this Easter. We only saw it from the South Rim, plus a helicopter ride but it was a
life-changing experience. As I sat watching the 1st DVD, knitting from the comfort of my armchair, I felt a child again,
riding on my father's shoulders. I can't wait to view the others. Wonderful-Thank you
Jayne M.
Clanfield Waterlooville, United Kingdom
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