San Francisco Screening with Special Meaning

21 May

I am so excited to be hosting a screening of “Mile, Mile & A Half” as a fundraiser for the National AIDS Memorial Grove on June 12th in San Francisco at the Westfield Century 9. For the past few years, I have worked as a volunteer with the Grove, helping on work days, in the office, and at the annual gala, so the mission of the Grove is very near and dear to my heart.

In 2011, I was just hiking the John Muir Trail a couple of weeks behind the MMAH team, from July 20th through August 10th. For me, seeing the film brings back memories in sharp detail… from the deep stream crossings to the challenging snow drifts, it is all there on the screen as a video souvenir of my hike. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the JMT as a south-bound hiker. Each pass became higher and higher, and the vistas became more and more incredible. I could just imagine John Muir himself experiencing the sights for the first time.

Two of my most special moments on the JMT were camping near the stone hut at Muir Pass, taking in the majesty of a fiery sunset, along with the breaktaking views from the top of Mt. Whitney, filled with a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. While it is impossible to describe the John Muir Trail fully, it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words… “Mile, Mile & A Half” does an amazing job capturing the majesty and mystery of this wonderful Trail.

I was so inspired by my 200+ mile John Muir Trail hike, I tackled the Appalachian Trail the following summer, becoming the first HIV-positive man to hike over 2,000 miles on that famous footpath. To be perfectly honest… the Appalachian Trail has its moments, but mile for mile, the John Muir Trail has the AT beat. There is nothing as spectacular as the JMT, in my mind.

Through Tugg, we have set up a screening of the documentary, as well as an online fundraiser. Guests can donate anywhere from $10 to $100 to support the work of the Grove, with incentives at every level for each donor on Tugg.com. I hope everyone in the Bay Area will come out to see this fabulous film.

Ross Hayduk
San Francisco, CA