There’s a lot to do before a hiking trip. You’ll need to prep your kit, plan your route, and gather nerves of steel. It’s intense stuff, but there’s another, more relaxing top prep tip – the need to watch as many hiking movies as possible.
Admittedly, few hiking depictions on screen even come close to the gruelling reality, but there’s still a lot to be learned from watching your favorite celebs in the wild.
The question is, which hiking movies are most worth your attention? Keep on reading to find out.
# 1 – Wild (2014)
Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Wild’ remains one of the best hiking memoirs out there, and the 2014 movie is also a must-see for any keen hiker. This movie portrays Reese Witherspoon at her best as she depicts Strayed during a long and difficult recovery/grieving process that saw her hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
Perhaps most iconic of all is Strayed’s backpack, which is so large that the other hikers nickname it ‘Monster’. If you’re about to go on your backpacking adventure, Monster is a great reminder of the need to pack carefully and sparsely.
Luckily, apps like Routespunkt make this easier than ever, thanks to a complete backpacking gear planning function.
Just imagine if Strayed had been able to say, ‘I found this app that helps list and track the gear for my backpacking trip.’ She certainly would have avoided a fair few trials! Then again, if she’d been able to fly through the movie without the strife that her long packing list caused her, it wouldn’t have made anywhere near as enjoyable a watching experience!
# 2 – Into the Wild (2007)
Into the Wild is one of the most controversial movies to hit the hiking scene, but whatever you think about Chris McCandless’s fateful trek, it’s hard to hate on Emile Hirsch’s fantastic depiction of his journey. Without shying away from the controversies of this tale, ‘Into the Wild’ perfectly captures the essence of McCandless’s trip, and its notable end quote gives a lesson for all backpackers: ‘Happiness is only real when shared.’
This is a lesson we can learn from McCandless’s entire trip. Sure, shirking society and heading into the wilderness has its appeal, but hikers aren’t islands. For your trip to be successful, you’ll need to interact, collaborate, and most importantly, socialize to secure some of your best memories and experiences.
# 3 – 127 Hours (2010)
Remember when extreme sports enthusiast Aron Ralston found himself trapped under a boulder in Utah for five days? Well, you can watch James Franco reenact the whole thing in ‘127 Hours’.
The film’s themes of enduring human spirit and resourcefulness hold far-reaching value for any hiker. There are also lessons here about how to protect your health by always sharing your plans and estimating trip timelines with loved ones, especially when journeying to remote locations.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by trip preparations or you’re just looking for a little hiking inspo, then it’s a good idea to add these movies to your pre-trip watchlist.
