Navigating THRU (2019)

Some stories take six months and 2,180 miles to tell: Navigating THRU follows the journey of several women as they thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Every year, thousands of people attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, but only 1 in 4 will be successful. Of those who are successful, just 25% are women. Navigating THRU follows several women attempting a thru-hike of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail and discovering what it takes to become "the 25% of the 25%". This film explores the everyday struggles any thru-hiker faces, as well as what it means to be a woman on and off the trail. The terrain type along the trail changes dramatically from state to state, with lush forests, rolling hills, muddy wetlands, rocky cliff sides, and steep balancing acts. This feature length documentary is told using a third person perspective, unique from many hiking films, over the period of nearly six months. During this time, and carrying advice from previous seasoned thru-hikers, filmmakers Lindsay Taylor Jackson and Patrice Kincade lived like and were true thru-hikers. They hauled water and gear, slept in a tent, prepared their own food, scaled new heights, and traversed thousands of miles all with a camera in hand. One camera traveled the entire length of the trail with Cinematographer, Patrice Kincade, who was ready at any moment to capture the trail's unpredictable experiences. Navigating THRU works to represent, make space for, and empower more women in the outdoors.