Journey on the Wild Coast

Journey on the Wild Coast, released in 2010, is a compelling documentary capturing exhilarating adventures, intriguing challenges, and breathtaking natural beauty. It's the story of two brave souls, Erin McKittrick and Bretwood “Hig” Higman, who are more than just a married couple; they are daring adventurers, hardcore environmentalists, and seasoned explorers.

The narrative follows a year-long expedition embarked on by Erin and Hig along the unspoiled corridors of the North American wilderness. They traverse the daunting stretch of land from Seattle to the remote corners of Alaska, deciding to undertake the journey on foot, raft, and skis. Their path takes them across threatening glaciers, through dense rainforests, and along the bottom of stormy oceans. Directed by Greg Chaney, the film intimately documents their initiative, not just as adventurers, but as researchers and naturalists who hope to uncover the true impacts of human activities on these largely untouched environments.

Journey on the Wild Coast shines a spotlight on the couple's unwavering resolve and their spirit to defy the odds. The film does not shy away from the everyday realities of surviving in nearly untouched territory, nor does it veil the endless rounds of looming dangers and threatening wildlife they encounter along the way. However, it artfully balances these elements with mesmerizing scenes of awe-inspiring landscapes and the tranquil beauty nestled in the North American terrain.

The adventurers aren't alone in their journey as they meet a variety of intriguing personalities along the way. One of these characters is seasoned Alaskan pilot Bob Christensen III who provides periodic supplies and words of encouragement, although his role isn't entirely focused on their voyage. Unlike many traditional narratives, the film departs from a linear structure of storytelling and weaves in periodic insight and commentary, creating a project that exists somewhere between a personal adventure diary and an academic exploration.

McKittrick and Higman, both scholars with backgrounds in environmental science and geology respectively, bring a unique perspective to their journey. The film provides insight into their compelling observations about the changing landscapes they navigate, offering a voice to the pressing issues of climate change and environmental conservation. The couple's dedication to experiencing and understanding the environment translates into a passionate plea for its preservation and protection.

As self-described 'ground truth seekers', the couple's goal was not just to embark on an adventure, but also to witness firsthand the consequences of climate change, deforestation, and other human activity on these remote, and often neglected, ecosystems. The film thus chronicles not only their physical journey across the continent but also their intellectual journey to understand and communicate the implications of these environmental changes.

Journey on the Wild Coast is a must-watch, not only for adventure enthusiasts, but also for anyone wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the plight of the world's rapidly changing ecosystems. The film acts as a window into their awe, frustration, fears, and discoveries. It unearths human capabilities and willpower, wrinkles of self-doubt, moments of exhilaration, and the unexplainable bond shared by the couple as they navigate their breathtaking, yet harrowing, journey.

In equal measures heartwarming, thrilling, and thought-provoking, the film does not disappoint. It's an authentic depiction of a groundbreaking expedition, one that resounds with profound existential themes, especially the relationship between humans and the environment. The intensity of the couple's endeavor, their immense respect for nature, the close-to-life portrayal of their survival instincts, and the stark beauty of the wild terrain - all come together to make Journey on the Wild Coast a cinematic masterpiece that brings to life an epic voyage of environmental discovery.

Chaney's direction and the breathtaking cinematography work harmoniously to deliver an arresting visual suite of North America's wilderness, seen from a perspective that few have experienced. Overall, Journey on the Wild Coast is a cinematic visualization of the borderlands between adventure and advocacy, nature, and civilization, man, and the wild, enthralling the audiences with a gritty realism that refuses to cloak the struggles and victories of such an expedition. It captures the heart and soul of the rugged wild, and the tenacity of the human spirit when committed to the cause of conservation. Truly an inspiring watch!