Hiking
Watch Films Exploring the Benefits of Hitting the Trail
What gets you outdoors? Judging by our past Festival Selections, there are a ton of different motivators encouraging people from all walks of life to go for a hike. So, whether it’s to better mental health, encourage conservation, challenge your physical limits, or find community, know you’re in good company. Scroll down to begin streaming some of these inspiring stories!
Sponsored by the Capital Hiking Club
Interested in sponsoring a Watch Now Playlist? Contact Alice Sadler (alice@dceff.org)
Constant Thought
Festival Year: 2020
When the traditional methods of coping with trauma don’t work, what options do you have left? Brandon Kuehn, an Iraq War veteran, believes the best way to face a range of trauma is to reach for literal physical summits — and he isn’t alone.
Matt Mikkelsen & Palmer Morse | US | 14 min.
Venture Out
Festival Year: 2020
The Venture Out Project (TVOP), founded by Perry Cohen, is a nonprofit organization that brings LGBTQ folks together outdoors on wilderness trips. In sharing Perry’s story and hearing from the other TVOP participants, we get a glimpse into the life-saving community bonds that are being forged as a result of Perry’s work.
Jamie DiNicola, Matt Mikkelsen & Palmer Morse | US | 15 min.
Born Curious
Festival Year: 2023
J.R. Harris is an explorer, psychologist, and self proclaimed “curious dude.” Always has been, always will be. Even now at “like, a hundred and twenty years old” he’s not really a sit on the beach sipping margaritas kind of guy. He unwinds by getting WAY out there.
Julia de Guzman | US | 19 min.
Barefoot: The Mark Baumer Story
Festival Year: 2021
The late writer and activist Mark Baumer walked barefoot for over 100 days to protest climate change. In a voice praised as “reminiscent of Andy Kaufman,” Baumer narrates his walk in self-recorded videos, sharing his offbeat take on life and how we all can make a difference.
Julie Sokolow | US | 11 min.
A Walk Through the Land of a Thousand Hills
Festival Year: 2020
Claver Ntoyinkima shares the secrets of Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda as he guides us through the forest. With almost 300 bird species, over 1,000 plant species, and dozens of large and small mammals, it is one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
Chema Domenech | US | 11 min.
Sponsor
The Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit recreational organization that aims to provide the Washington, DC metropolitan area with safe, quality hiking and outdoor activities, and to promote fellowship, the sport of hiking, and love and respect for natural environments.
Click here to learn more and sign up for a hike!
