GR20 – One Step At A Time
Being among Europe’s toughest and most challenging long distance hiking trails, the “Grande Randonnée 20” on Corse crosses the French island’s mountain range from North to South. The path leads over exposed ridgelines and deep valleys, featuring stunning panoramic views and dense magical forests. After having walked the northern part of the trail in 2010, I knew I had to come back and walk the whole distance. Although hiking was my number one priority, as I was obsessed with walking every single step of the 180km path, I still brought my DSLR camera and a small tripod. Whenever the conditions would allow it, I took pictures for this movie. These three weeks, however, had it all: Huts being closed because of potential forest fires and hikers being rescued because of incredibly swollen rivers. Thanks to these droughts, floodings, storms and ice most of the pictures taken for this timelapse movie were near the lodges. So, while successfully solo-hiking the whole trail southbound despite the sometimes nasty weather, I cannot say I succeeded in portraying the trail’s true beauty, unfortunately. You will have to go there and see for your own eventually… Until then, I hope you enjoy this movie.
The whole idea was inspired mainly by the breathtaking video “Yosemite HD” by the Yosemite Project (hence the same music: M83‘s “Outro”). Obviously I did not want to carry a Dolly or any other automated tripod with me (not that I could afford one…), so I just used my Canon 5D MKII with the TC-80 N3 timer and the smallest Cullman tripod that was able to hold my Canon 16-35mm lens. The wind was blowing so strong at times that I had to secure the small tripod with huge rucks. This was my first time ever experimenting with time lapse and, in hindsight, I learned quite a bunch about which settings work under certain circumstances and I am looking forward to photographing my next timelapse movie – wherever that may be – and (hopefully) seeing some improvements.
I want to thank Vincent from Casa Alta in Vizzavona for receiving my food drop, Fabian and Stijn for lending me their swimming trunks after the wind took my spare-underwear, Nelis for the book I never finished and Hans for the longest taxi ride of my life. Hugs go out to all of you.
