Mount Kilimanjaro

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Video on the Road

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I am looking to climb Mt Kilimanjaro early next year with a group of mates and have been thinking about documenting the experience into a film. Very early days but am starting to research and develop the idea and what the real story of the film could be rather than blokes walk up mountain, yeah!!!

On the technical level I am trying to think of the best way to shoot such an event. I own gear, AF100,EF lenses, Sennheiser Wireless mics, shotguns, GoPros, etc a very standard documentary kit. I have been filming for the past three years in Cairo, Egypt. I let you know all this just to say I do have an idea of what I am doing.

What I would like to hear is thoughts on the type of gear you would use and how you would use it to capture this event?

There will probably be around 6 of us, none of us are mountaineers, we would be using a company of some kind to help us out, we are not record breakers we are all mid life and this is a bucket list item.

So any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, books, films, how to shoot a travel doc info, whatever let us know and I'd love to have a bit of a conversation about this.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and help.

Cheers.
 
Firstly, I trust you will skip April and May (wettest months).

How about bringing along a slider? Do you feel it would be worth the effort or do you think you could pretty much get close to the same effect during editing?

I hope the other 5 are into videography, otherwise they are likely to get very frustrated with your takes/re-takes - I spent 3 weeks in Australia with my brither in law - my wife and I were into still photography and took 30 rolls x 36 pictures. I don't think he has ever forgiven us.

It would be interesting to hear from you how you will plan the documentary. Script first?

It might be good to read up on climbers' accountsover the years and what their impressions were and then as your group experiences the same views/conditions, interview members of your team to capture how they feel (as expected, quite different)

You could record a documentary about making a documentary on the climb. That might be very interesting.

Sounds like a fascinating adventure.

Do you need an assistant?
 
Hey Kwkeirstead,

I had been thinking a bit about those I would be traveling with and what gear they would bring themselves. As far as I am aware most will be novice to amateur photographers and at a guess will have the likes of 7Ds, 60Ds or their Nikon equivalents. I am also presuming that there will be a few GoPros about as everyone and their dog seems to have one at the moment. I will obviously be enquiring about this as we move along. So on the basis that most of those traveling will in someway be documenting their journey I am hoping that I will be able to get access to their footage and imagery. I would also try and streamline things a bit for any edit by getting formats, etc similar if not the same across the board.

I have been doing a bit of research about the area in regards to environmental concerns, concerns of the amount of people doing the hike and what impact that is having, as well as the effects of tourism on the area as well as thinking of the whole lead up, get fit, skype talks between each other as we are all located in different parts of the world, flights too, meet up, walk, see what happens. Again this could rely a little on others shooting for me and their willingness to do this?

A slider, look to be honest I think I would end up throwing it of the mountain after carrying it for a day or so. Not usually into the DIY, mainly as I am crap at it, but I found this GoPro Time Lapse thingy the other day and thought it could work for some scenery moments mornings, lunch and evening? I am not sure I will take the AF100 due to awkwardness of carrying but have been looking at a Canon XA20? Am open to other thoughts and suggestions though.

Who knows were this thing will go, it could just end up a video for the mates of our experience or maybe something bigger but it's worth a shot to see what we get.

If anyone else has any thoughts or suggestions, links or info I'd love to hear it.

Thanks again.

Cheers.
 
Kim,

I climbed up Kili in early March and can agree with kwkeirstead to not go during rainy season since it will effect your gear (duh) but what you can actually see with the cloud and fog. Weather up on the mountain can change very quickly.

I also agree with kwkeirstead that your friends better be patient because the hikes are long and stopping every so often can be a pain.

As for other recommendations, it all depends on what route you are taking up. The Machame route is the most common and should take 6-7 days. If you go with a reputable company (I can recommend one) the support staff will make the trip super easy. There were six 32-ish year old guys on our trip in pretty good shape and 26 porters, guides and cooks. It was a breeze since they carry almost all of your stuff. The only thing you have to carry during the day is a day pack with rain clothes (poncho is best) and water. Carrying a light tripod or monopod is up to your own fitness level. I went up with a point and shoot, but could have easily made it up with a DSLR and a few lenses. (Wish I new before). Regardless of the route you take, you NEED solar chargers (no power outlets) and/or NEED extra batteries (summit is very cold).

As for story telling, in my humble opinion you should concentrate on the campsites along the way and kinda recap what everyone experienced along the way. Yes the eventual summit is the goal, but like they say, the journey is the fun part. The most picturesque parts of the hike are the actual camp sites and you will have time to do some artsy stuff if you want to.
 
Its been 30 years since I last climbed Kilimanjaro, but if I was making a doc today, I would feature the guides as the story - from the villages where they live, and their working conditions, to how they make the tourists life easier on the climb - that way you can feature your group at the centre of your project, but from a different point of view.
 
My first thought when I read about your post is the need for power. You'll either need lots of batteries or enough solar chargers to keep you going each day. Without power, all the other stuff doesn't matter.
 
The porters are from a tribe called Chaga (not sure of the spelling) very much like the sherpas in Nepal. It is not unusual to see them going up in sneakers and the sort. I agree the filming at the camps and getting recaps of the day is good. Also grabbing some bites from the porters as well. My experience with the Chaga people is one of warmth and friendliness. You can also get some great views in the late afternoon from Moshi before/after you do the trek. Practice with solar chargers well before you go.
 
How about bringing along a slider?
Click to expand...
That was one of my first thoughts but after watching the Paul Gwilliams piece, I'm not so sure there would be time to get those beauty shots if everyone (5 other travelers) are constantly moving forward.

I've been doing some on-again-off-again work in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and I really would love to bring my Zaza Slider ™ but I have to be selective on what gear to travel with.
 
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