Meet Croatia in person – Tesla’s hiking guide for CLDT
December 7, 2018
With new hiking season I came up with new big project. After hiking the PCT and collaborating with Tin Borovčak on two documentaries – “Tesla – Year of the beginning” and “Croatian Long Distance Trail”, and after I have become video production student on the MPA academy in Zagreb, I have decided to film my first solo documentary.
On my lectures people often ask me – why do you hike? Every time I am giving my best to tell them all about my believes and what I hold what is the reason I hike. But, answer has changed thru years. I started as one who searches for God, then I grown to one that seeks his own peace, a afterwards I transformed myself to one that wants to become the best version of himself. But, everybody wants to become the best version of himself, right?
But, there are deeper reasons why do I saunter in the wilderness. Usually alone to hike long distances, to put my self out of comfort zone. This reason is always somehow hidden and it changes. If you ask me now, and in a week again you would get different answer. Moreover, I am still in search for God – whatever that means. Maybe I am just afraid of dying. Maybe I am skeptic who wnats to prove himself that there is a blackout in the moment of death. Yes, I am still in search of peace. I seek my own depths in the spaces that were ours for thousands of years, but from which we fled into steel, glass and concrete. With peace seeking I am also finding my best version. All of that is true, but also my own fog.
This story I came up with primarily because of myself. I want to hear the answer on why do I hike. When I am answering to myself I have greater responsibility. That’s the way it is and this is the reason why I am staring with this adventure which I will film thoroughly.
But, to comprehend something I’ll need to ask others too this same question. First part of the journey I will ask other hikers what they think. Overture of second thoughts will be my wind in the back, because we are essentially all the same – we are people, passengers, visitors of this wonderful planet.
Afterwards I will start my 40 day adventure to find my own answers.
Locations and timetable:
Photo by Siniša Golub, www.golubs.info
My first trip will take place in May and I will hike on almost forgotten Tonto Trail in Grand Canyon. It is 65 miles long. I will be hiking this trail with Matt and his son, and maybe we’ll have one or two surprises. It is secret for now. They will talk to my camera on this trail, and I will film and try to demonstrate beauties of Grand Canyon.
Photo by Siniša Golub, www.golubs.info
Take a look at short video about filming locations:
After Tonto trail we are going towards Pacific Crest Trail where we will catch up with some of PCT hikers. Two Croats will be there also so I plan to take statements from those two 🙂
Pacific Crest Trail, hikers in resting mode.
And then a little break from USA. I will be coming back to Croatia and Croatian Long Distance Trail – national, scenic trail (2109 km). I will try to take statements from CLDT hikers, to hear their stories and to film best shots from some of the best sections of CLDT.
NP Paklenica, Croatian Long Distance Trail
By the end of July peak of project will be on air. Around 25th of July I will be flying to Denver, CO from where I will start my hike on the Colorado Trail. CT is 780 km long trail. I’ll need around 40 days to finish this trail.
WHY Colorado Trail?
This trail goes from Denver to Durango. It surpasses most wild vastness of Colorado state. The trail’s altitude is usually above 3000 m. Highest point of the trail is 4045 m. High altitudes are the reason I have chosen August to hike this trail. Colorado Trail shares 236 miles of trail with CDT.
When I was choosing on which trail I will be filming most of the materials I was in doubts. Three trails were in the game: Arizona Trail, Great Divide Trail and Colorado Trail. Arizona Trail goes thru Grand Canyon and in summer times it can get really hot. I want to hike in summer time so Arizona Trail was out. GDT is wild and it continues from CDT ending point 1200 km into the Canada. GDT is most expensive out of three, there are lots of grizzlies, it is colder and I would need over two months for a thru hike. So, all summed up it was clear – Colorado Trail was the best option for me: short enough so I can cut off my budget, warm enough to avoid snow, cold enough not to get toasted in August, and developed enough so I can control how much I spend.
Finances
Project like this is pretty pricey. I need airplane tickets, to get to trail, food, accommodation here and there, some filming equipment, travel insurance and other stuff. With my own funds I will fund Grand Canyon, Pacific Crest Trail and Croatian Long Distance Trail, but for Colorado Trail I will need to start crowdfunding campaign. It is common thing for filmmakers to raise funds for their movies. So, I am following this same strategy. In a few weeks I will start a crowdfunding campaign and all of you who have faith in my project and myself can buy Why do I hike documentary in presale. Every purchase will be directly incorporated into documentary project.
For now you can sign up on my landing page and get early bird opportunities. Documentary will be out in December of 2019. Thank you.
