[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gravel crunching]
[gentle music continues]
[gravel crunching]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[phone buzzing]
- Erica?
- Oh, thank God, George.
- What's going on?
- George, it's Michael.
- What about Michael?
- He shot himself.
Why would he do this?
I'm with him right now.
Erica, Erica, go next door
and give John the phone.
Go next door and
give John the phone.
[Erica] I can't lose him.
- The police are at the door.
- The police are there?
Oh, okay, just do
what they say, okay?
- Just do what they say.
- Oh, George,
- he loved you so much.
- Erica! Erica!
[Erica] Why did he do this?
I'm gonna be there soon.
Just hold on, hold on.
f*ck! Damn it!
[George yelling]
[truck humming]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music ending]
[birds chirping]
[trunk latch clicks]
Head upstairs, set your
packs on the porch,
and come to the
store to check in.
I posted something to
myself at the post office.
Do you know how far
it is from here?
Four blocks down that
way on your right.
Okay, thank you.
Check in first before
you go down there,
so I don't have to
cover the rules twice.
Yes, sir.
[birds chirping]
Fill out these forms.
Who's paying cash?
Oh, I'm doing the doing
the Katahdin summit only,
two days cash.
Cash, one day, plus the shuttle.
Credit card, and one
day shuttle, thanks.
Now I can show you the
bunkhouse and kitchen
and give you a
rundown if you want.
Oh, that'd be great, thank you.
Thanks.
Now remember packs and
shoes stay on the porch.
- Got it?
- Yes, sir.
- Yeah, got it.
- Yep.
I'll meet you outside
when you're done.
Sure.
And I can walk with
you to the post office.
- Oh.
- Package there too.
That'd be great, yeah.
Thank you, I appreciate that.
[hikers talking
faintly] Okay, thanks.
[birds chirping]
I'll take that.
[apple crunches] Thanks.
We should've done
the Knife Edge.
We can always do it tomorrow.
Yeah, you Army folk wouldn't
be able to keep up with me.
- Shut up!
- We had to carry you.
You had to carry me?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Well, I'm here for
the grand tour.
Packs some shoes
stay on the porch.
If you use the
kitchen, clean it up.
Through there, the
beds, and more upstairs.
And if you see a towel on
the pillow, it's available.
In the morning,
take your sheets,
put 'em in the pillowcase, leave
'em at the foot of the bed.
All right.
And hiker midnight's
around 2100,
so keep it down for
your fellow hikers, hmm?
Okay, sounds good.
That's about it.
- Did you already summit?
- Well-
Are you summiting
or heading to Abol?
Yeah, I was thinking
of summiting tomorrow.
Do you know what time
the shuttle comes?
0700, but you have to
sign up in the store.
And you gotta be on time
or the old man will leave
your a*s to hump your pack
to the campground on your own.
That he will, he will.
Grumpy old man.
Well, I'm ready to
go to the post office
- as soon as you are.
- Sounds good, I'm ready.
Do you know if they sell
any guidebooks there?
- Affirmative.
- Affirmative?
Humping your pack,
military time?
So y'all current
military or are you vets?
- Army.
- All right.
Army all the way.
- All right, -
Trail name's Bacon.
You must be popular
in the sandbox.
- [George chuckles]
- Yeah.
- I'm Army.
- All right.
- Trail name's Peanut.
- Hey.
I'm a Marine, trail
name's Mini Me.
How about you?
Well, I'm Army, but I don't
have a trail name yet.
- Ah, new trail name.
- Well.
Don't worry, your trail
name will find you.
[Peanut] Yeah.
Hey, thank you for your service.
Oh, my pleasure.
[birds chirping]
Well, we're all part of the
same hiker universe now, huh?
- Mhmm.
- I guess we're here
because it connects us
all in similar ways.
I like the sound of that.
Okay, you ready to step off?
Lead the way.
Oh, we're gonna get a
few things at the store,
so we'll see you later.
Okay, nice meeting you both.
- You too.
- All right.
Dude, do you see all
those name tapes?
I saw them when he pulled up.
That's gotta weigh what?
- Like five pounds?
- Yeah.
That's a lot of extra weight
to be carrying up and
down the mountain.
If you can't eat it or drink it,
then it's just
continuous weight.
Yeah, and that's a
lot of mental weight
to carry around too.
True.
[apple crunches]
Are you thru-hiking
for a specific reason?
Well, each one of these
represent a veteran suicide.
Okay, that explains the what.
What's the why?
Well, I guess honoring them,
inspiration, motivation.
I don't know.
All that to do a six-month hike?
Yeah, I guess.
[birds chirping]
Lugging those all
the way to Springer.
What do they weigh?
Like five pounds?
I mean, not to mention
the mental weight.
How are you supposed to
do that whole journey
- thinking about that stuff?
- Hey,
these are my name tapes.
What I do with them is
my business, all right?
You don't need to bother
yourself with 'em.
Fair enough.
Just remember,
the hiker universe is
a unique family too.
The trail will provide.
Help is always there.
That's great to know.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[Peanut] Ew.
Did you just get your
socks in my face, Bacon?
[Peanut] Touched my mouth.
I just wanna say,
sorry about before.
I was being a bit of an a*s.
I was really
focused on this hike
- and said some stupid things.
- Hey.
No harm, friend.
It's not like you're a Marine,
so it's all good, right?
Oh, well, Marines
can be useful too.
I mean, who's gonna make
the Army their coffee?
Ah, yeah, right, guys.
You guys drink decaf, right?
Or is it the chai lattes
that you're drinking now?
Ha, ha, we know Army
coffee isn't great,
but at least we
don't eat crayons.
- [everyone laughing]
- Quality crayons.
Gotta love a good
family squabble, huh?
I miss all this
military family rivalry.
It's nice to see again.
It's still alive and well.
But if you knock on that door,
you better expect a knock back.
Unless it's the Air Force.
Then don't knock before 9:00 AM.
[everyone laughing]
You like that?
Yeah, that's a good
one, that's a good one.
I gotta hand it to the
Marine and the Navy,
they get to see the sunset
off the bow of a ship.
But for those who scored
higher on the ASVAB,
well that's another story.
Settle down, we don't
wanna upset the children.
Nope.
[Mini Me yawns loudly]
I guess Marines don't
wear deodorant either.
Yeah, well, that's what
real men smell like.
Right.
Oh, I'm sorry, did
my combat stretch
scare some of you Army folk?
No?
Well, we'll see who
the children are about,
I'll give you halfway.
Halfway to the summit.
Yeah, take a shower,
eat some glue.
I know they feed
you that in basic.
Yeah, I'm gonna
take you up on that.
I'm gonna take a shower.
I'm gonna eat some glue.
I'm gonna get some markers.
I'm gonna have a feast tonight.
Yeah, I'm gonna call it too.
- Goodnight, y'all.
- Goodnight.
[gentle suspenseful music]
[gentle suspenseful
music continues]
[gentle suspenseful
music continues]
[gentle suspenseful
music continues]
[gentle suspenseful
music continues]
[gentle suspenseful
music continues]
[gentle suspenseful
music continues]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music ending]
Pack 'em in tight, got
a big load this morning.
It's gonna be a
good day to summit.
The forecast is
clear to the horizon.
Well, how does it
usually take to summit?
Usually two to five hours,
depending on if you
just wanna summit
or if you actually
wanna enjoy the hike.
Oh, okay, any chance we can
hire a Sherpa? [chuckles]
I'd be okay with
that. [chuckles]
Hey, hey, Mr. No
Trail Name Yet.
- That's me.
- Enjoy that climb up.
- All right?
- Yeah.
Mm, you should do
the Knife Edge.
- Right?
- Oh my gosh, sure.
Let us know what that's like,
- and take some pictures for me.
- Will do.
- Yeah.
- All right?
- Make sure you have some fun.
- Thank you.
I can hold onto those
name tapes if you'd like.
I promise you they'll be
here when you get back.
No, I appreciate that.
But I made a promise to
some very special people
that these name tapes
don't leave my side.
So they go where I go,
- but thank you.
- I understand, yeah.
Everyone who's going up,
hop in, I'm headed out.
- Enjoy that climb.
- All right.
[everyone chuckles]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
You're the guy with
the name tapes.
Yeah, that's me.
You're thru-hiking, right?
Yeah, well, that's the plan.
I'm gonna give it a shot.
You've become kind of
a celebrity up here.
I mean, what you're doing
is pretty incredible.
Appreciate that.
Well, the further I get along,
the more harebrained this
whole idea seems to be.
I don't recognize this uniform.
- Yeah.
- What is it you do?
It's probably good you
don't recognize it.
I'm part of a search and
rescue or recovery crew,
but we prefer rescue.
That's cool, no, I
appreciate what you do.
It's good to know
you're out there.
I'm headed to the 100-mile
entrance, need a ride?
Well, I wouldn't say
no to a free ride.
That'd be great.
I'm just gonna head in here
and get some toothpaste,
but I'll be out in a minute.
All right, no hurry,
the trail will always
be there for you.
All those represent
a veteran suicide?
[George] Unfortunately, yes.
Every one of these is a veteran.
Each name is a real,
unfortunately, a real suicide.
- Wow, I had no idea.
- That's, yeah, 22 a day.
Thanks again for
the 300-yard ride.
Yeah, happy to help
the strong start.
- Have fun and be careful.
- Yeah, you too.
Hope to see you around.
Maybe, maybe not.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle dramatic music]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music ending]
[lighter clicks]
[birds chirping]
[birds continue chirping]
Hey, it's Mr. No
Trail Name again.
It's good to see you made it
off the mountain, brother.
Well, I hiked all the way up,
and then I rolled
all the way down.
Well, that fight up,
that's what makes the descent
so much more enjoyable.
I don't know what it
is about you Marines
always wanting to
fight up a hill.
But us Army, we like
to get a chopper
to insert us at the
top of the hill,
and then we fight
all the way down.
Hey, but you know why, right?
Well, it's because
you don't send a puppy
to do a devil dog's work, oorah.
- Yeah, all right.
- You're exhausting.
Hey, man, can I bum a smoke?
Yeah, sure, I'll get-
That's fine, I'll just
take this, thanks.
You just saved me about
six minutes of long life.
I appreciate that.
Get.
So are y'all bedding down now?
We're heading to
the next shelter.
We hike at a more
unusual pace than most.
You know, sometimes
slow, but sometimes fast.
We'll meet up with
you again, I'm sure.
All right, sounds good.
- Get.
- Well, you stay safe,
and I'll see y'all
down the trail.
[birds chirping]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
All right.
11 miles secure.
[gentle music]
[gentle bright music]
One step at a time.
[gentle bright music continues]
One step at a time.
[gentle bright music continues]
[water whooshing softly]
[gentle bright music]
[gentle bright music]
[gentle bright music continues]
First day out,
and I'm already ready for
an extraction. [chuckles]
This trail ain't for everyone.
Definitely not for the weak.
Okay, I wouldn't say I'm weak.
I mean, I'm a little
out of shape, but.
Well, many try and many fail.
People shouldn't start
what they can't finish
or have no intention
of finishing.
May be tough to hear.
But out here, the truth
is tough to avoid.
If you face it head on,
you should be good to go.
Well, I appreciate the
unsolicited advice.
Sorry, I didn't get the memo.
That's pretty clear.
I take it you're a veteran.
What's with the name tapes?
Yeah, I'm Army.
These are all veteran suicides.
You're carrying them to
Georgia, if you make it?
Yeah, that's the plan.
Hm.
[birds chirping]
So what are you hiding,
if I may ask?
I ain't hiding anything.
Well, we're all guilty
of hiding something,
not from others but ourselves.
You know, those things
that keep us up at night.
Look, don't take
this the wrong way,
but you're the last person
I feel like sharing
anything with.
I just met you on the trail.
I mean, man, look at you.
You look more like an
anti-w*r protesting hippie
from the '60s than a shrink.
Well, you got that right.
I hate w*r, everything about it.
Then again, only
someone who has seen it
has the experience to hate it.
Oh yeah?
So what does a
hippie from the '60s
have in regards to experience
with this sort of thing?
Combat Marine.
I believe three tours
in Vietnam '72 to '75
- more than qualifies me.
- Oh.
I'm sorry.
I mean, you have a pretty
good disguise there.
Look, I'm sorry,
brother, I mean-
Don't give me that
brother stuff.
That word is used too often
without embracing
its true meaning.
All right.
If you can face the truth
about what you're hiding,
this hiking experience
may not be a waste.
[George scoffs]
Thanks, Doc, how
much do I owe you?
Well, just put
your tender feet up
and get a good
night's rest, Army.
I'm headed out to Abol.
Maybe before you get
to the end or quit,
you might understand
the question
and be able to answer it.
But remember, brother is earned.
And don't fail those you carry!
You chose to take on
that responsibility,
it's up to you to
follow through!
I'm gonna follow
through all right.
I ain't gonna fail 'em.
Don't you worry about 'em.
We'll see about that.
[debris crunching]
[gentle music]
[water whooshing]
[gentle music]
[water whooshing]
[gentle music]
[leaves crunching]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle dramatic music]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle contemplative music]
[gentle contemplative
music continues]
[gentle contemplative
music continues]
[gentle contemplative
music continues]
[gentle contemplative
music continues]
[gentle contemplative
music fading]
[backpack rustling]
[backpack continues rustling]
[trekking poles clicking]
[gentle dramatic music]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[g*n clicks]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[dramatic music]
Here we go.
[dramatic music continues]
- What the hell are you doing?
- Stand down, Army!
Are you f*cking serious, Army?
Okay, change of guard.
Hands off!
- These are mine.
- You didn't seem to be
that devoted to
them a minute ago.
Just don't touch
'em, they're mine.
Those aren't yours.
They're on loan
from their families.
They trusted you, we trusted
you, to carry these memories.
Y'all don't what
you're talking about.
I wouldn't be so
sure about that.
[gentle solemn music]
But now that we have
your full attention,
you're going to collect
yourself and carry on.
But before you do, you need
to have a solid reason.
You had one yesterday,
what was it?
[gentle solemn music]
They're all gone.
I just wanted a chance to
talk him out of it, you know?
Remind him of the
camaraderie we had.
That's a hell of
a way to show it!
Don't mind her, she's
impulsive, just like you.
There is one thing
you haven't found out
about this life yet.
Yeah, what's that, genius?
The trail provides.
[gentle music]
Brother, it's the trail.
Remember, all about the trail.
We're a strong family too.
Yeah, and thank God for that.
Otherwise, we have
your lame Army jokes
to listen to all the time.
I knew y'all were gonna be
a pain in my a*s. [chuckles]
Pain is just weakness
leaving the body, let's go.
Where's my weapon?
It's gone, brother.
That's what we're
gonna do, get gone.
That was a brand new GL*CK.
I just paid 400 bucks for that.
Small price to pay to ensure
you still have a pulse.
Well, that's just f*cked up!
Yeah?
Well, so is what
we just witnessed.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
You don't have a trail
name yet, do you?
No, no I don't.
Keeper, as in
keeper of the names.
Yeah, I like that.
That's it, George
will forever be known,
from this moment
forward on the trail,
- as Keeper.
- Keeper.
Well, I've certainly been
called worse than that.
I just wanna say thank you for
what y'all did for me before.
I really appreciate it.
You're never alone on
this trail, brother.
As a veteran, you're
never alone anywhere.
You gotta remember
that and live it,
- even off trail.
- Thanks.
[gentle music]
I'm just gonna get some water,
I'll see y'all down
the trail soon.
Yes, you will, Keeper.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[debris crunching]
[debris continues crunching]
- Hey there.
- Hey there.
You thru-hiking?
Well, yeah, that's the plan now.
Now? What did you
just decide thru-hike?
Well, you know, kind of
taking it day by day.
Well, in that case,
Shaw's Hostel will meet
you at Jo-Mary Road
with whatever food you pre-order
if you need a resupply.
Well, that sounds pretty cool.
How much does something
like that cost?
50 bucks, plus the cost of food.
Oh dang, would've been
good to know that earlier.
I've already passed
Jo-Mary Road.
Do you know if they
air-drop? [chuckles]
Do you need a little extra?
We just got a resupply.
We have plenty if you need
some to help get you through.
What is it to Shaw's, like
three days or something?
Two or three, depending
how fast you hike.
No, I think I should
be okay, thank you.
Well, this is Snooze and
Tenderfoot, and I'm Honey Badger.
Do you have a trail name?
Those are some pretty
cold trail names.
My trail name is the Keeper,
as in keeper of the memories.
- Their memories?
- Yeah.
These are all veteran suicides,
a little over two week's worth.
Wow, that's sad.
- That's a lot.
- Yeah.
Not to sound insensitive,
but couldn't you put their
names on paper or something?
It seems like a lot
to carry on the trail.
Well, that would've
been a lot easier,
but then we wouldn't be having
this conversation right now.
No, this is my physical
burden to carry these names,
to raise awareness, educate,
and hopefully try to find
some kind of solution.
Why is there one on your pack
and not on the ring
with the others?
Is that a living family member
or someone still serving?
Yeah, that's a fellow veteran,
brother in arms.
He shot himself,
and he's fighting for
his life right now.
Just really hope and pray
I don't have to add his
name to the list soon.
It's super cool what
you're doing, man.
- Bravo.
- Thank you.
I'd be happy to carry
those names for a stretch,
you know, give you
a bit of a break.
My grandpa was a
World w*r II veteran.
It'd be an honor.
I appreciate the offer,
but these names
don't leave my side.
This is my way of standing by
and honoring their memories.
Just the way these four
veterans stood by me
not too long ago.
If it wasn't for
them doing that,
I wouldn't be here right now.
But, you know, I appreciate it.
It's very nice of you.
But, well,
I best be rolling
on out of here.
It was a really
nice meeting, y'all.
Stay safe and see
y'all down the trail.
- Good to meet you.
- Yeah, nice to meet you.
Thanks for what you're doing.
See you down the trail.
[debris crunching]
[phone buzzing]
[phone continues buzzing]
[gentle music]
Wow, you're up early,
sun's not even up.
I had a bad dream.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, yeah, fine.
Don't lie to me, I
need to know for real.
Are you okay out there?
Yeah, yeah, just about to
get up and hit the trail.
But you're coming home, right?
Yeah, after 2,100
miles, I'll be home.
[sighs] So this bad
dream that I had,
babe, you shot yourself.
Wow, why would you have such
a crazy dream like that, huh?
I don't know, when
I dropped you off,
I asked if you were coming back
and you just smiled
and you walked away.
I'm sorry about that.
You know how I am, I
hate to get sentimental.
Oh, I thought I knew you.
But then I had this dream and
things just started lining up.
Lining up?
I had the dream that you
shot yourself on the trail,
I woke up and things
just started lining up.
And after all that
we have been through,
I don't deserve to be lied to.
Babe, the last 19 years,
you've kept me vertical.
You're my world.
Do you promise?
That you are my world?
No, you are such an a*s.
No, promise me that
you are coming home.
I promise.
[birds chirping]
[birds continue chirping]
[lighter clicks]
[birds chirping]
[birds continue chirping]
Erica, it's George.
What's going on?
[Erica] Michael passed
away last night.
What?
Damn it!
f*ck!
Oh sh*t.
[gentle dramatic music]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
Well, I guess you're too
busy healing sick babies,
and lepers, and all that sh*t.
Just couldn't hear my
prayer for that Marine.
[gentle dramatic music]
Guess you got your reasons.
Or maybe you felt you
needed him more up there
than we needed him down here,
and I'll never understand that.
[gentle dramatic music]
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
I guess we just gotta
trust you then, huh?
[gentle dramatic
music continues]
sh*t.
[dramatic music]
[dramatic music continues]
Hey, man, breakfast
is almost ready.
[dramatic music]
Is he all right?
I got his back.
[pack thumps]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
Rest easy, brother.
I got you.
[gentle music]
I ain't got you.
I let you die.
Well done, soldier.
Despite your best efforts,
these damn bodies
just keep piling up,
and up, and up.
[gentle music]
Keeper, are you okay, man?
Grabbed that bag like
you committed a felony.
Just another day
as a grim reaper.
What do you mean by that?
Well, every time I add a
name to this ring here,
I feel like the grim reaper.
That Marine I was telling
you about yesterday
was on life support system.
His cousin just called.
He passed away.
sh*t.
Man.
It's just sh*t, man.
I don't know what to say.
You know what gets me?
Is we volunteer
to go fight a w*r
to defend our country
and defend our comrades,
we come back as heroes,
and the very thing that
they admire us for,
that same f*cking sh*t,
is what gets us in the end.
Every f*cking time!
Look, man, I didn't
know you yesterday
when you came in
with these tapes.
But I gotta give
you a ton of credit
for what you're
doing for us veterans
and family and friends left
in the wake of all these acts.
What we do ain't easy.
But, you know, if you and I
could reach just one person
to convince them
to stick around,
or educate a family member
or friend to lend a hand,
you're not the grim reaper,
man, you're the Keeper.
- The days go on and on.
- Hell yeah.
Grim reaper fears the Marines.
Oo-f*cking-rah!
Now come on, let's
get some breakfast.
Well, I could slap a nun for
some bacon that's for sure.
That's just wrong, man.
- I gotta feed the addiction.
- See you inside.
[gentle bright music]
Well, you stay safe, Troll.
And you keep doing
what you're doing, man.
That's a noble pursuit.
- I appreciate that, brother.
- Absolutely.
[George and Troll] Hike on.
[van cranks and starts]
[gentle bright music]
[van horn honks]
Hooah!
[gentle bright music]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music continues]
[gentle bright music fading]
[gentle dramatic music]
[chopper whooshing]
[gentle dramatic music]
[George] Roadrunner one-seven,
Reaper six-four, just fire.
[Dispatch] Reaper
six-four, just fire.
Target six, Bravo, one,
eight, three, six, six.
[Soldier] Target six, one, four.
[a*tillery whooshing]
[gentle dramatic music]
- [tense music]
- Six-four.
Bravo battery one round,
adjust target Bravo, Romeo,
one, two, one, one, over.
[tense music]
[tank humming]
- [tense music]
- 50 infantry in the open.
Six T-72 tanks, over.
- [tense music]
- Six-four,
50 infantry in the open.
Six T-72s, over.
One round adjust target.
Bravo, Romeo, one,
two, one, one, over.
[Dispatch] Six-four,
Bravo battery,
one round, adjust target.
Bravo, Romeo, one,
two, one, one, over.
[a*tillery whooshes]
Six-four, shot, over.
Shot out.
[tense music]
[m*ssile whooshing]
[tank blasting]
- Six-four, splash, over.
- Splash out.
Good impact,
Roadrunner one-seven.
Enemy position is in the wind.
[tense music]
[tense music continues]
[George breathing heavily]
[birds chirping]
[zipper whizzes]
Oh, you're welcome, by the way.
Oh yeah, what for?
Not waking me earlier?
Nah, for not letting Peanut
mess with you last night.
Whose crazy-a*s monkey is that?
Who do you think?
- Lucifer?
- Worse.
Oh crap, it's yours?
No, I don't own him.
He just likes to
hang out with me
'cause we see the
world in the same way.
Oh yeah, how so?
I like to think of it
like the Incredible Hulk.
Don't make him angry.
You wouldn't like
him when he's angry.
[George] Yeah, I don't think
I'd like him when he's nice.
Could we please act
like the Chair Force
and keep it down until at least
eight o'clock in the morning?
A Marine needs his beauty sleep.
Yeah, well, it's
not working, Mini.
Ah-ha.
How's the trail
treating you so far?
Stangelo got a call.
Yeah, he passed away.
I'm sorry, brother.
But that's why
you're here, right?
And listen, it may get
worse before it gets better,
but you can't quit.
You gotta keep going.
Hey, Keeper?
Monkey and I need some
coffee, chop-chop.
Sure, sure, just let me
clean out this cup here
with my dirty old
trail sock and-
You know what? Nevermind.
- You sure?
- Bacon, would you be so kind?
You two have some serious
issues to work through.
- Oh my god, I'm up!
- What's your problem?
You're a Marine,
not the Air Force.
- Suck it up, cupcake.
- Sh, shh!
Ah, you're so loud.
Why couldn't I have gone
hiking with civilians?
You know that's not
an option for you.
You know I'm gonna
drop-kick that monkey
if it doesn't stop
staring at me.
That would be a death
sentence there, Rambo.
Maybe we should be hiking
with civilians after all, huh?
Mm, that's what I'm saying.
[George laughs]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[George grunting]
- Oh yes, the turtle.
- Yep.
There's a name for every
embarrassing situation out there.
Oh, yeah, you know it.
- Skillet.
- Keeper.
Thanks for your help.
Oh man.
Crap, the name
tapes are all muddy.
Dammit, sh*t.
You know, everything
gets dirty out here.
Oh, no, these are
my security blanket.
Clean or dirty, they're
just name tapes, right?
These are not just name tapes.
These are all the names
of veteran suicides.
Every single one of them.
- Damn.
- I see.
Man, their families entrusted me
to take these all
the way to Georgia.
That's why I'm
doing the thru-hike.
- Here you go.
- Thank you, appreciate it.
[birds chirping]
- You said Keeper?
- That's right.
Keeper, yeah, I heard about you
from four hikers just
south of here yesterday.
Was it three guys and a girl?
Yeah, that's them.
One of 'em's trail
name is Mini Me.
Said I might find you
slacking on the trail.
[laughing] Yeah, yeah, he's
just jealous and envious
of the Army's
superhuman strength.
Plus, I did tell him if I
felt like going on a vacation,
I'd go and do Marine bootcamp.
He didn't like that.
Sounds like you guys
know each other.
Yeah, yeah we do.
Well, appreciate you
helping me out, Skillet.
Yeah, no, anytime, Keeper.
But to be fair, I had to help.
You're in the path of progress.
Just another example of the
Marines saving the Army.
Yeah, okay.
But, I mean, I did find
you're on your back,
so Mini Me might be right
about you slacking off.
I'm definitely being
stalked by Marines.
[Skillet] Oorah!
You stay safe, Skillet.
All right, okay.
2.1 to water and shelter.
All right, let's
just keep on going.
[gentle bright music]
Try not to fall on
your a*s again, Keeper.
[gentle bright music]
[water whooshing softly]
[gentle bright music]
[water whooshing softly]
Ah, that's some
good quality H2O.
Hey there, I'm Bug.
Well, that's my trail name.
- What's yours?
- Hey, Bug.
My trail name is Keeper.
How'd you get that name?
Well, some hikers saw me
carrying these name tapes around,
and they decided
to call me Keeper,
as in keeper of the names.
That's cool, my
mom was a veteran.
- She was a Marine.
- Wow, that's awesome.
Is she around with you?
No, she got sick and died.
Oh gee, I'm sorry
to hear that, Bug.
I'm sure she was a
really strong Marine.
Is there any
other kind? Oorah!
All right, well, I
got my water now,
- I best be getting on.
- Okay, see you, Keeper.
[water whooshing softly]
[birds chirping]
I assume Bug's yours?
Saw him down by
the stream there.
I'm Keeper, that's
my trail name.
Nice to meet you, Keeper.
I'm Long Step, got
the name from my wife
on account of my long
strides on the trail.
Well, you'll be able
to do this trail
in half the time it takes me.
Just think how many steps
it takes me to keep up.
Nice work, buddy.
I'ma go and get some firewood.
- Be careful.
- Okay.
So y'all thru-hiking?
No, just a section
to Harper's Ferry.
My sister-in-law lives there,
she's gonna pick us up.
That's cool.
I don't mean to be too personal,
but Bug was saying that
his mom passed away.
I'm really sorry
for your loss there.
Yeah, thanks, it's
five years ago now.
We were both Marines
stationed together
and one thing led to another,
a year later, Taylor was born.
Well, he's a Marine
in the making.
He ain't got no choice.
Hey, what's with the name tapes?
These are all veteran
suicides, 363 names there.
[soft music]
- Yeah, Taylor found her.
- Sorry, what did you say?
His mom, he found her.
Oh, I thought he said
she she was sick.
No, she picked
him up from school
and set him up
with some cartoons,
told him she was
going for a nap.
Later, he tried to wake her
up 'cause he got hungry,
and when he couldn't wake
her up, he called 911.
Wow, I'm sorry, I didn't know.
Yeah, well, none of us did,
not Taylor, her family, myself.
My little guy stayed by
her side until I got there.
But by the time I
got to the hospital
she was gone, overdose.
You know, my little guy
has not shed a tear once.
Never, not that night.
- That scares me.
- Yeah.
I'm sorry, I don't
even know what to say.
Yeah, well, I wouldn't expect
you to know what to say.
Who needs some wood?
Let there be fire!
[Long Step] Okay, buddy,
come have some dinner.
Oh, soup, yes!
[lighter clicks]
[cigarette crackling softly]
[birds chirping]
Hey, don't mean to bother you.
Oh, man, you ain't no bother.
I'm just sitting here
soaking up the good vibes.
I just wanted to say,
I think it's really
honorable what you're doing.
And, sorry, if I got a
bit short with you before.
Sorry, for getting
too personal with you.
It's all good.
[gentle music]
I hate her, man.
[gentle music continues]
I should say I hate
what she did to us,
what she did to Taylor.
What I hate most is I didn't
get a chance to help save her.
It's not like there
was a neon sign
above her head flashing
help, you know?
Never is and that's the problem.
And as far as not knowing what
to say goes, all good, man.
Words don't help heal anyway.
Yeah, you got that right.
I just wish there was a
better word than I'm sorry.
Man, I hate that word.
I carry these name
tapes, that's my family.
But every step I take,
the angrier I get.
Yeah, well, anger has its place.
And what I've learned is anger
eventually becomes grief,
and that grief
becomes acceptance,
and eventually you move on.
A part of you is still lost.
[gentle dramatic music]
Yeah, this place was
gonna be my exit plan.
I couldn't think of a more
beautiful place in the world
to finally step right off it.
[gentle dramatic music]
If it wasn't for these
four hikers in Millinocket,
man, I wouldn't
be here right now.
When they say the
trail provides,
you know they mean it.
The trail provides.
[gentle dramatic music]
You were gonna commit
suicide on this trail?
Well, I bet these families
you're paying lip service
to would've been at
your funeral and said,
"We're real sorry.
Real sorry you let 'em down."
Step down there, Marine.
I haven't been spoken to
like a private like that
in a long time.
Now I used to feel like that,
but I don't anymore, okay?
I moved on, I'm just saying.
When they say the trail
provides, it provides.
I just don't feel the way
I feel here anywhere else.
[gentle music]
That's the feeling of comfort,
knowing someone's got your back.
You see Taylor and I
have been coming here
for four years now,
and this trail has
a way of healing.
[gentle music]
Really has done wonders for us.
Yeah, it's comfortable.
Yeah, how else do you explain
two veterans like us spilling
their guts over stuff
I've never spoken
to my family about?
Hell, two hours ago, we
didn't even know each other.
- Yeah.
- That's comfort.
Well, you see,
they don't have any frame
of reference, you know?
They don't know what it's like.
But you and I, we
know what it's like.
You know you're not alone.
You know someone's
always got your six,
on and off the trail.
All right?
That's right.
No, I appreciate you
opening up to me like that
and sharing with
me, it means a lot.
And, you know, I think
you're gonna be all right.
You and Bug.
He's got a good
Marine for a dad.
He's gonna grow up to be a
fine young man, and yeah.
Thanks, brother.
[gentle music]
- Sleep well, Keeper.
- Yeah, all right.
[soft music]
[soft music continues]
[soft music continues]
[soft music continues]
Amazing, isn't it?
- What is?
- All this.
It never stops changing.
All four seasons, it
just keeps cycling,
surviving and becoming
something different,
next day, next season.
[soft music]
Yeah, Mother Nature
is a curious creature.
I don't think that tree
got the memo. [chuckles]
Curiosity and survival are
one in the same, my friend.
You have to keep surviving
to see what's next.
That's true.
Reminds me, gotta
take my sanity pills.
Gotta have 'em with food,
keep me on the, you know,
straight and narrow. [chuckles]
Definitely don't neglect those.
I did one time and
it didn't end well.
I never really
believed in medication.
I learned quickly that
whatever keeps you happy
in the moment is
always worth a try.
Yeah, that's good.
Well, I'll leave you to it.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
What do you think?
About what?
That he'll make it.
The trail?
And those name tapes.
They've stuck with me
since we started all this.
Seeing one I guess
ain't much of a shock,
but seeing them all together
reminds me how much
of a horrible world
it can really be.
I know we're supposed
to be in that species,
but we can do a lot
of damage too, huh?
[gentle music]
Yeah, we can.
[gentle music]
The kids.
[gentle music]
That's what eats at me the most.
The kids, man.
[gentle music]
Don't get me wrong,
I love my uniform,
I'd step back in
it in a heartbeat,
but when it's all over,
they just expect
us to come back,
pick up the pieces,
dust 'em off,
put 'em back together again.
And sometimes those pieces
don't fit anymore, huh?
No, they don't.
[gentle music]
I think he'll make it.
We'll find out soon enough.
Come on, let's get
back to the trail.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music fading]
[George breathing heavily]
[George breathing heavily]
[George continues
breathing heavily]
[door rattles]
Hey, just dropping the
kids off at the pool here.
[door rattles]
Occupied! Damn.
- [suspenseful music]
- Go away, bear!
Get outta here!
[bear growling]
Get outta here, bear, go, go!
- [bear growling]
- Go on, bear, get!
[bear growling]
[outhouse thumps] Whoa, whoa!
[Helpful Hiker]
You should be okay!
Bears don't eat crap!
[Unhelpful Hiker] But they
do eat hikers taking a crap.
[Helpful Hiker] I said
get outta here, bear!
[bear growls]
[grass crunching]
[gentle suspenseful music]
[door creaking]
[gentle suspenseful music]
Hey, that was crazy, huh?
Did you even go?
Yeah, yeah, as soon as that bear
started hitting the
door there, I froze up.
I don't think I'm gonna
go for another year.
Hey, my trail name-
Whoa, who's the
one that was giving
all that bad advice there?
- That would be me.
- Ah, okay, right.
Just a public service message.
Okay, okay, so I don't care
what your trail name was before.
Your trail name
is Unhelpful Hiker
and you're Helpful Hiker.
And I'm Keeper.
I think you should join
us in the shelter tonight.
Yeah.
Could be a good idea.
You okay way back there?
Oh yeah, you got a
full shelter tonight.
[twigs cracking]
Just me, had to brush my
teeth before I hit the sack.
Besides, I don't think bears
watch "Kung Fu Theatre."
Well, I don't wanna
end up in a big pile
of steaming lump of bear sh*t.
I wouldn't worry about that.
They usually don't eat you.
They just maul you
and you die slow.
Shh.
I'ma get my Skittles out here
and pour 'em all over you,
'cause I know bears
like Skittles.
- Hey, goodnight, Boo-Boo.
- Yeah, shut up.
[light switch clicks]
[traffic whooshing]
Okay.
[wrappers crinkling]
Is this gonna be all for you?
- Cigarettes there, please.
- Mhmm.
[George] That's it, thanks.
Isn't it tough to
smoke and hike?
Well, these aren't
actually for me.
They're for this little
evil monkey and its handler.
Yeah, right.
[plastic bag crinkling]
You're a thru-hiker, aren't you?
Yeah, that's right,
I'm heading south.
How's it been?
Well, this part of the trail
must've been blazed out
by some pretty sadistic folk.
But, according to the map,
I should be hitting
the summit real soon.
So it's pretty good.
Well, you brought it
on yourself, you know?
Take a couple months,
mark 2,000 miles,
but you coulda let
the airport do it
and get you there in two hours.
Save the knees,
avoid the blisters.
Yeah.
When you're done, no one
can take that experience
away from you.
That's true.
Thank you.
[plastic bag crinkling]
All right, well,
again, y'all stay safe,
and I'll see you around.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How much is that?
- All right, let me see.
[gentle music]
Keeper.
Hey, Bug.
Ah, you're almost
at Harper's Ferry.
- You are a hiking machine.
- You too.
Hey, Keeper, good to see
you still on the trail.
- Yeah.
- Almost halfway there, huh?
Yeah, just gets easier each day.
I just wish there
wasn't so many summits
between here and there, but
other than that, pretty good.
Goes with the territory, right?
Hover any of your food bags,
some bear terror reported
in this area recently.
Save the food, the
bears are coming!
Come on, man, get to the choppa!
Bug, come back here with dinner.
I was just messing around, Dad.
There's no bears.
There's no choppa.
Hey, don't mess with a
man's dinner, all right?
You are not helping.
Called for support,
gotta support the troops.
Facts.
Hey, I will tie you
to the bear pole
if you make one more
move on my Skittles, boy.
What are you gonna do
with all the name tapes
when you finish the hike?
Well, that's a
good question, Bug,
and I've been thinking
about that long and hard.
What I think I'm gonna
do is put the name tapes
in a nice little frame with
an inscription that says,
"Hiked in spirit, the
Appalachian Trail,"
with a start and finish date,
then I'm gonna send 'em
back to their families.
Cool.
- Yeah.
- Hey,
we're moving out
in three minutes.
Tomorrow night his aunt's
gonna have a talk to him
about his mom, so.
Yeah, I think he already knows.
Well, we're about to do the
last leg to Harper's Ferry.
So wanted to say it's been
great to get to know you,
and thank you for doing quite
the justice to an injustice.
Well, I appreciate it,
and nice getting to know
you and Bug as well.
I think y'all are gonna be okay.
As will you, Keeper.
All right, Bug, let's go.
- Hey, Bug.
- Hmm.
If I don't see you again,
I just wanna say
it's being an honor
and an inspiration
getting to know you.
You take care of
your old man, okay?
He's not as strong as
you, he's just a Marine.
[Bug and George laughing]
[gentle music]
Oh, thanks.
All right, Bug, let's roll out.
[Bug] Okay.
[gentle music]
Take care, Keeper.
Bye, Keeper!
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[soft guitar music]
[soft guitar music continues]
[everyone claps softly]
Thanks.
That was a beautiful song.
Thanks.
- That's a beautiful dog.
- Thanks, he's a sweetie.
He eats better than I do.
[laughs] He earns it.
He keeps me pushing forward.
How far you both come?
We're just doing two weeks.
We've been sectioning
for about two years now
whenever we get time.
Are you all thru-hikers?
Section with wife and kids.
Yeah, I'm thru-hiking,
heading south.
You should hit the NOBO
bubble in a couple of weeks.
Yeah, I hear shelter
space is at a premium.
Yeah, that's why
Mister and I tent.
Shelters fill up quick
and the mice love that,
but Mister never sleeps
with mice around.
I hear you.
I got one more song
before hiker's midnight
if y'all are interested.
- Sure.
- Yeah, sounds good.
[fire crackling]
[gentle music]
[gentle music]
Hey, I saw those names on your
pack when I was walking by.
What are those about?
These are all veteran suicides.
363 names there.
Makes up for about
16 1/2 days worth.
It's like 22 a day.
Yeah, your math is good.
Counts for about half
the suicides in America,
but the military is only
about 1% of the population.
- That's horrible.
- Yeah.
If you don't mind me asking,
why are you carrying them?
Well, it's changed since
I started, I've changed.
I just don't know anymore.
Does that mean you don't
wanna carry them anymore?
No, no, no, I mean,
that's my family there.
I'm carrying these names
all the way to the end.
I just don't know if what I'm
doing is making a difference.
I just can't seem to
stop this pandemic.
My cousin committed suicide,
and we were both 19.
To this day, I still wonder why.
I'm really sorry about that.
Yeah, it affects us all.
[gentle music]
I just don't know if what
I'm doing makes a difference.
Or, maybe I'm just numb to it.
I think awareness
is worth something.
Letting people
know how important
it is to be there
for each other.
Mister here is always there
for me, on or off trail,
good days or bad,
I'm never alone.
Maybe we could learn
something from that.
Maybe I should fire my
shrink and buy a dog.
It'll be a lot cheaper.
I know you're already
carrying a lot
and my cousin wasn't a veteran,
but could I ask you to
carry her name with you too?
Oh, absolutely, it
would be my honor.
Well, more than that,
it would be my duty.
I took an oath to
protect and defend.
But where were we
when they needed help?
[gentle music]
Just remember, you're
never alone, never.
[gentle music]
Gonna take care of Memory
all the way to Georgia.
Thanks, Keeper.
- Have a great day.
- Yeah, you too.
Come on.
[gentle music]
[birds chirping]
[laughing] All right,
hold on to that story.
- Hey, how you doing?
- [coughs] All right.
Yeah, I just wanted to
get a room for the night,
and maybe need to
go to the hospital.
I'm not feeling too good.
Okay, not a problem.
Let's have you sign in
and we'll get a shuttle
to take you into town, okay?
I appreciate it.
And here,
- call this number.
- Cool.
And we'll send a shuttle
back out and pick you up.
- Oh great.
- No charge.
Oh, thank you very much.
You're welcome.
[George coughs]
All right, where were we?
[pen scratching paper]
[George exhales deeply]
What the hell?
[everyone laughing]
What are y'all doing here?
We saw your pack at the hostel.
They told us you'd be here,
so we wanted to see if
you really were sick.
Or just slacking off.
[clears throat] No,
I feel like crap.
What's that, Mr. Monkey?
Yeah, you're right, I think
he looks like crap too.
- Very funny.
- George?
Thank you.
Geez.
So, George, what seems
to be the problem?
Well, I think it might be a
bit of a cold or something,
but I just wanna
get it checked out
before I head back to the trail.
I can only assume you're a
thru-hiker from the smell.
[chuckles] Well, I'm a
thru-hiker all right.
But the smell you're
smelling there,
that's definitely from the
Marines I keep hanging out with.
Careful there, I'm a
retired Marine myself.
Annapolis, Class of '98.
I retired in 2018 and
went to med school.
So behave unless you want me
to use an alternate method
of checking your temperature.
Yes, ma'am.
Okay, yeah, so you're gonna
need two antibiotic shots
and that'll get you
back on the trail.
All right, well, let's get
this thing over and done with.
No, no, I'm gonna
need to see some skin.
Show me your cheek.
Not without dinner
and a movie first.
Very funny.
Is this gonna be the
hard way or the easy way?
All right, it was worth a try.
Okay.
Oh, that wasn't too bad.
[Doctor] And now
for the second shot.
On three.
Oh!
Oh, I'm sorry, did that hurt?
I think you got my pelvis.
Mm, well, I guess you
should've joined the Marines,
and then you'd be able
to handle the pain.
Yeah, Semper Fi, oorah,
and all that stuff.
George, if you can still
walk, you're free to go.
Thank you, I think.
- Good luck on the trail.
- Mhmm.
Man, I wish y'all had warned
me of that knitting needle
I was gonna get stabbed with.
Yeah, well, we know when to
talk and when to shut up.
Sometimes jokes are
not the best approach,
and you joke around a
little too much sometimes.
Well, I like to make a few
jokes every now and then.
I mean, it helps me to
forget how shitty my life is.
I'm sorry, did I
hear you correctly?
You think your life is shitty?
Please, enlighten us.
No, wait, let me
paint the picture.
You're hiking in one of
the most beautiful parts
of this country.
You have thousands of people
following along your journey
with words of encouragement,
with motivation, with thanks,
and somehow you think
your life is shitty?
You know there are some
who never escape their
darkness, Keeper.
You were able to get
through yours on the trail
- behind that tree, remember?
- Yeah.
All the others,
that's why you carry the
name tapes, isn't it?
Yeah.
Don't downplay
what you're doing.
Otherwise, this is just
a big waste of time.
- Okay.
- I'm gonna head back
to the hostel now.
Yeah.
What is her problem?
What did I do?
It's not about what you did,
it's about what you said.
I mean, you do joke
around a little too much,
and some people may see that
as disrespecting the honor
that you carry with
those name tapes.
Well, these name tapes mean
more to me than anything.
Hey, we know, we know.
Come on, let's go back.
Hey, look, you're
close with these guys.
I mean, they're
like your family.
I mean, I've just wanted to
joke around with you guys,
you know, just be
part of this thing.
These name tapes,
they mean more to
me than anything.
That's why I'm here.
That's why I'm on this trail.
Why are you here?
Why am I here?
I just got nowhere else to go.
- Are you homeless?
- Oh no, no.
I've got a great family in
Long Island that loves me.
Do you know why my
trail name is Mini Me?
No.
It's because I'm my
father's Mini Me.
Him and I are really close.
I guess I just mean I got
nowhere else to go in my head.
You know, some of the
best times that I had
were riding my BMX bike,
my father alongside me,
and no thoughts in my head,
no thinking, just riding.
Yeah.
And even though it's
not quiet out here,
it's quiet in here, you know?
And I need that.
The trail gives me that.
Yeah, well, my family's pretty
messed up, that's for sure.
Hey, well, don't get
me wrong, Keeper.
Every family has got a member
or two with a
couple screws loose.
You're right, it's not perfect.
- Yeah.
- But listen,
if you're doing it right,
then you're too focused
on taking that next step
that's right in front of you,
that you don't have time to
think about some stupid sh*t,
like that same stupid sh*t
you tried to pull
behind the tree earlier.
Yeah, I mean, that was
a moment of weakness.
Listen to me,
there will always be
somebody ready to help.
Trust me, I grew
up helping people.
I was the one in high school
giving away my lunch money
to the other kids.
I was the one standing
up for people.
I was the one scaring
away kidnappers.
And I'm not asking for any sort
of recognition or rewards.
All I'm asking is that
when you have a moment
of weakness like that,
you think of Michael
Blanco, the Marine.
All right.
- All right?
- Okay.
- All right, Keeper.
- See you around.
[gentle music]
[wood creaking]
[wood continues creaking]
Do you know where Peanut is?
- She's out back.
- Okay.
[lighter clicks]
[George exhales]
[gravel crunching]
[insects chirping]
Coffee and cigarettes?
Breakfast of champions.
Sure.
I'll take this.
Yeah.
[insects chirping]
Yeah, I just, I wanna say sorry
about what happened
the other day.
Yeah, sometimes my mouth,
you know, makes me-
Sound like an a*s.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah, it does.
[gentle music]
I just wanna say thank you.
I really appreciate what
y'all have done for me.
There's no need to say thanks.
Just be sure you know
why you're doing this,
and be sure to finish it.
I don't have many friends,
but, you know, that's by choice.
But I see y'all as my friends,
and just don't wanna get you
angry or being mad at me.
Keeper, I'm not mad at you.
I just don't trust you.
It's not meant to be an insult.
I don't trust a lot of people.
I trusted
the guys in my own unit,
the ones who were
supposed to protect me,
look out for me,
respect me,
and you can guess
where that got me.
[gentle music]
- It got me r*ped.
- sh*t.
The brothers who were
meant to be my family,
who I was supposed to trust.
[gentle music]
So you can see why trust
is just a little
slow coming for me.
Yeah, I can see that.
I mean, military's meant to
look after their own, right?
I mean, did they all
end up in prison?
No.
No, not exactly.
The military is really good
at losing and misplacing
files and reports.
[gentle music]
It's scary how
just one moment,
one word can dictate
your entire life.
[gentle music]
And I let it consume me.
I can't go back and fix that
now, so it doesn't matter.
But you?
Keeper, you speak for everyone
that you carry.
Do you understand that?
And when you downplay it
and act like it's not important,
that it's not special,
you insult every single
name on that ring.
And so I can guarantee
you one thing.
If you screw up again,
if you insult their
memories one more time,
I will personally relieve
you of your duties.
Quick, fast, and in a hurry.
- Are we clear?
- Yes, ma'am.
That's what I thought.
Stop smoking.
[gentle music]
[insects chirping]
[gentle music continues]
[insects chirping]
[gentle music continues]
[insects chirping]
[insects chirping]
[soft music]
[insects chirping]
[soft music continues]
[George knocking]
- [door creaking]
- Hello.
Hi, I'm just looking
for a night to stay.
You're the only one here so far.
Come right on in.
Right this way.
Cool, yeah, well, I was
just on the trail in Kincora
and spoke to Bob Peoples.
And so I needed to come
to town to get a resupply
and was hoping I'd stay here
and give Bob a call
in the morning.
Oh yeah, Bob's a legend
up and down the trail.
And this building's
kind of unique.
What did this used to be?
This building was
originally built
to house the commissary for
the Pittsburgh Lumber Company.
And since then, it's been
a plethora of things,
from a post office to a school,
- you name it.
- Cool.
Let me know if
you need anything.
We're usually around until
about 11, so feel free to ask.
- All right, appreciate it.
- Yes, sir.
[insects chirping]
[footsteps thumping softly]
[George sighs]
[shoe thumps]
[shoe thumps]
[noise taps upstairs]
[gentle tense music]
[noise creaks upstairs]
[gentle tense music]
[gentle tense music continues]
[noise taps upstairs]
Hello?
[no audio]
[no audio]
[gentle tense music]
[noise creaks upstairs]
[gentle tense music]
[gentle tense music continues]
Hello.
[gentle tense music]
[noise creaks]
[gentle tense music]
Hello, is there any
hikers up there?
[gentle tense music]
- [noise thumps loudly]
- Oh, hell no!
No, hell no!
[dramatic music]
It's okay, George.
[dramatic music]
Nothing to worry about.
It's all in your head.
It's just an old house.
Makes noises, it's creaky.
All right, you just
need to go to sleep.
Grow a pair and just relax.
There's no ghosts.
You just need to go to
sleep and grow a pair.
It's okay.
- [dramatic music]
- Nope, no, nope, nope, nope.
Nope, nope, nope.
[dramatic music]
Nope, nope, no, no, no.
[dramatic music]
No, nope, nope,
nope, nope, nope.
sh*t. [breathing heavily]
Okay, all right.
All right.
Okay, George, all right.
No ghosts.
You gotta stop being a wuss.
Just gotta suck it
up, go back inside.
Nothing there.
[dramatic music]
Nope, no, no, no, no, no, nope.
[dramatic music]
Rhonda, are you up?
I am now.
- What's going on?
- Not much.
Not much?
Babe, it's two o'clock
in the morning.
Well, I was staying in
this old schoolhouse,
and I was in an old hostel
and I heard something.
Well, did somebody come in
in the middle of the night
and, I don't know, make
a noise or something?
Oh, someone made some noise,
but there was no one there.
Honey, [chuckles] did
you scare yourself?
Look, this ain't funny.
[chuckles] So what did you do?
Got the hell out of there!
I'm hiking back
to the trail now.
I'm gonna keep hiking
all the way to Georgia.
I don't care, I ain't
going back there.
Babe, it's the
middle of the night,
and that's where
the boogeyman lives.
If I were you, I would take
my chances with the ghosts.
You are so unhelpful.
You know I don't do ghosts.
Oh, you are truly ridiculous.
Right, this conversation's
getting us nowhere.
I'm gonna go now.
Okay? All right?
I love you, bye.
I love you too.
Oh, and don't look
behind you. [chuckles]
Crap. [tense music]
I wasn't gonna look behind me.
I'm not gonna look behind me.
[tense music]
- [lightning blasts]
- I'm outta here!
[gentle calming music]
[gentle calming music continues]
[gentle calming music continues]
[gentle calming music continues]
[gentle calming music continues]
[gentle calming music continues]
[gentle inspirational music]
I didn't think I'd
see y'all again.
[gentle inspirational music]
Hey, good to see you.
Yeah, well, it's
been a while and-
[gentle inspirational music]
[gentle inspirational
music continues]
[gentle inspirational
music continues]
I know who all of you are.
[gentle music]
I'm not going crazy, am I?
No, brother, you're not crazy.
Not any more than the
rest of us at least.
Why have you been
with me all this time?
This was too important
of a journey and message
for you to fail.
You carried us.
We carried you.
No one walks the trail alone.
[gentle music]
I didn't even think
I'd make it this far.
I don't even know
what to do now.
Just don't quit.
This message isn't just for you.
It's meant to be shared, Keeper.
[gentle music]
Why'd you all leave me?
We can't answer that now.
It can't, I won't-
It doesn't matter.
The past will only cloud
your solution for the future.
The most important question
you can ask right now
is, "How can I fix this?"
How can I fix this?
I didn't ask for this.
Oh, but you did.
That moment behind the tree
when you fought it and won.
You may not have asked for
it, but it's yours now.
You own it.
Don't run away from it
like you ran out of that
hostel in Tennessee.
You guys are smooth.
Run, Army, run.
[everyone chuckles]
[gentle music]
Where you going?
It's all you, Keeper.
You're gonna be just fine.
Take the challenge
and kick its a*s.
We're counting on you, Army.
Stay strong, Keeper.
Never quit fighting.
Wait, wait.
Sophie.
Remember, you're never alone.
Monkey and I,
we're always watching.
Thanks for everything, Keeper.
Thanks, Doc.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
You guys as well?
[gentle music continues]
Keep going, Keeper.
You've almost made it to the
beginning of your next journey.
Drive on, soldier.
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[soft music]
You made it, brother.
[soft music]
You came home and you
stayed the course.
Don't make the same
mistakes we did.
And I'll check in on
you from time to time.
- Love you, brother.
- You too.
[soft music]
Rest in peace, Reaper 64.
[soft music]
[soft uplifting music]
[soft uplifting music continues]
[soft uplifting music continues]
[soft uplifting music continues]
[soft music]
[soft music continues]
[soft music continues]
[soft music continues]
[soft music continues]
["Taps" music]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
["Taps" music continues]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
The wind blew in straight
from a ghost town
Called your name,
told you lies
But you looked up to find
A North Star in the sky
Held on to the light
and you survived
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
Your fire's glowing
in the evening
So keep it burning
through the dark
And if the night gets cold
You can still stay warm
Carrying the hope
within your heart
[gentle music]
Stay strong
Remember that
you're never alone
The road is long
But you never need to
walk it on your own
Left, right, left, right
One foot in front
of the other
Left, right, left, right
One foot in front
of the other
Keep on keeping on
[gentle music]
You can always
find your footing
If a part of you gets lost
You can't escape this life
Without scars and stripes
But it's worth it if you
stop and count the cost
[gentle music]
Stay strong
Remember that
you're never alone
The road is long
But you never need to
walk it on your own
Left, right, left, right
One foot in front
of the other
Left, right, left, right
One foot in front
of the other
Keep on keeping on
Ooh
Ooh
The road is long
But you never need to
walk it on your own
Left, right, left, right
Left, right, left, right
Left, right, left, right
One foot in front
of the other
Left, right, left, right
Keep on keeping on
[no audio]
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Keeper, The (2024)
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