I believe most of the group has seen the phenomenal video, The Muir Project - Kickstart link. Their Home page.

A kickstarter documentary about their fund raising efforts is here, a good page to start reading.

So far this is their progress:

349 Backers
$39,340 pledged of $78,100 goal
35 days to go

This project will only be funded if at least $78,100 is pledged by Friday Sep 28, 3:10am EDT. How Kickstarter works.

They have a bunch of incredible pledge-level "gifts" listed at this page (given above too). See right hand frame. I love the $211 level gift. Pledges are valid at $1 up though. One gets their film at a $35 level.

A Kickstarter FAQ is here: http://www.kickstarter.com/help?ref=footer

The two most important questions and answers are these -- they were on the top of my mind!

1. If I make a pledge, when is my card charged?

If the project you’re backing is successfully funded, your card will be charged when the project reaches its funding deadline. If the project does not reach its funding goal, your card is never charged. That's why we call them pledges.

2. If funding does not succeed do backers pay anything?

Nothing. If funding is unsuccessful, all pledges are canceled and that's that.

For those who have not seen their first video on the JMT, this is it -- the best short video made yet on the JMT trail that is professionally done and with great visual/audio excitement. Link

Thanks all,

Roleigh Martin, Lead Moderator of the Yahoo Group, John Muir Trail (over 1,500 members focused on this trail and more research material than most if not all other web sites).

Edited by marti124 on 08/23/2012 22:15:47 MDT.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=66698&skip_to_post=574749

Thanks Ken, I was not aware of that thread. I responded over there. Some are confused about how kickstarter works and it's hard to find their FAQ, I had to search for awhile before I found it. It eases the confusion one has. Explained more in my response over at the link you provided.

There is still a strong need for more people to support this amazing hiking film.

So far this is their progress:
489
Backers
$51,800
pledged of $78,100 goal
21 days to go
Back This Project

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themuirproject/mile-mile-and-a-half-a-feature-documentary

The Muir Project is up for a voter-supported contest, film project of the week (against a handful of others). They're close to first place -- they need more Yes votes.

Go here:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/vote-for-project-of-the-week-will-it-be-mile-cinemanovel-voice-or-detroit

Link.

Just to be contrary. It seems like so many say the JMT is too crowded. Permits required and all. Does it need any more advertisement to the general population? Or do you think if there is a good film of it people won't have to go?

I've done the JMT every summer now for 5 years straight. Meeting people on the trail I find part of the fun of the hike, you meet the most wonderful people. I do not find it crowded at all. I may only meet about 15-16 people a day, hardly an issue. The JMT allows one to camp anywhere that meets minimum rules: (a) 100 ft off trail, (b) 100 ft from water, (c) 4 miles or farther from a car campsite, (d) no vegetation under your tent. That allows thousands of available camp sites.

The trailhead quotas keep the trail from being overly crowded too.

If the demand gets so strong for the JMT, hikers will discover other trails very similar to the JMT in the Sierras equally suitable too (such as the High Sierra Trail, Sierra High Route, and others).

But JMT hikers love to show off their favorite trail to others and having this made into a film makes that a wonderful show-off.

"I may only meet about 15-16 people a day, hardly an issue."

It is relative isn't it? I find that to be about 15 too many. So spoiled here.

Made it.