Sorry, this page is temporarily down. 2011 hikers, If you are trying to download a DVD iso file, we can help you. Contact us (email link at the bottom).

We have DVD image files loaded on this site for you to download. We offer a variety of options but please review the information which follows before you download any of the files.

1. These files are huge. The standard DVD files are about 3 Gigabytes and the Blu-Ray file is 11 Gigabytes. Even with a broadband connection, expect these downloads to take some time. In our tests, it took 2.5 hours to download the std version and about nine hours to download the Blu-ray file. (Cox broadband). Others have reported slower times like 4 hours for the std DVD. It depends on your connection and how many people are hammering on the server.

NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, you must have a current version. Earlier versions were limited as to how many gigabytes could be downloaded. The latest version (8) has no such limitations. We had no problems using IE or Chrome in our tests. Tip: IE seems to work best. When the download window pops up, choose "Save" and pick a convenient location for your file (you must have sufficient disk space). If the file chokes, try the download again, it may resume from where it stopped.

2. We are offering a variety of program options below. They are packaged as ZIP files. Once you download the zip, simply click on it and a window will open up asking you where you want the extracted file to be stored. Click on "Extract Files" and you will now have the ISO file for use in burning your DVD.

3. Once you download a file, you MUST have a DVD burner or the file will be useless. The ISO file that you get is an image file - an exact duplicate of our finished product. If you don't have a burner, you could save the image file to a USB drive or Flash Card then take it to a friend who has a computer with a DVD burner and have him/her make your DVD.

4. The process is quite simple. Put a blank DVD in your burner then (Windows) simply click on the ISO file. A small box should open up. It is called "Windows Disc Image Burner". If you check the "Verify disc" box then the computer will double check to see if the data burned is the same as that of the file, so either way, hit the "Burn" button and you are on your way.

5. If the Disk Image Burner program fails to open, then you may be using a version of windows that doesn't have this capability. Here, we recommend you download an image burning program and install it on your computer. We can recommend ImgBurn. It is free and just as easy to use. You can find it online here. Sorry, we know very little about Macs but we suspect it is just as simple to make discs using one.

6. Don't forget to write on the face of the disk something like "PCT 2011" and store it in a scratch proof case.

7. If you choose to put your disc in a jewell case, we have two different cover art images that you can choose from (see above). The first was taken on top of Mt Whitney and submitted by Top Shelf. The second was taken at the top of Mather Pass and submitted by Gnarly. To use these images, download them, open them up with a paint type program and print them at approximately 4.75 inches square (or 12X12mm). Then carefully cut out the picture with scissors. It should be square and fit perfectly between the tabs in the case. As an alternative, use one of your favorite images - you will need to crop it to a square shape before printing (or cut off some of the picture to match). We uploaded the largest size images here so they can also be used for large size printing (like 8X10 size) and framed.

Now, which DVD do you want?

All programs below are optimized for widescreen TVs and it may display "letterboxed" on an older "square" TV. Find a friend with a widescreen!

The first program below plays on Standard DVD players (NTSC, American type) and has only a main menu, no chapters. The quality of the picture is the best that we could make in stardard def.

The second is exactly the same as the first except that it has a submenu which has seven chapters. You can play the entire program or jump to any of the seven major parts of the program with the push of the remote (S. CA, Agua Dulce (listed as "Hotel CA"), Central CA, Northern CA, OR, WA, and the images taken at Monument 78). But, unfortunately, due to technical issues, the picture quality on disk #2 is not as great as the first one. (Still a good image though!). Perhaps download both of them and make a DVD of each and compare for yourself. If you plan to show the entire show, we recommend going with #1. If you were a section hiker in Central California or WA etc, then disk #2 might be a better choice.

The third image file is not available for download at this time. It is a Blu-Ray file. As we said, it is a really big file and will take a long time to download AND, to make a blu-ray copy, you MUST have a blu-ray burner, or know someone who does. Again, you can download the file to your computer, transfer it over to a flash or thumb drive (16 gigs or more) and take it to a place with the burner. And, of course, you must have a blu-ray player and HD TV to play it back. The images are stunningly good in Blu-Ray. Don't have blu-ray? Maybe download the file anyway and store it on a thumb drive for the future. Sorry, no submenu (chapters) on the blu-ray file at this time. We are presently trying to debug delivery issues with this large file. It will be awhile until testing is complete.

PAL format is now also available! Contact us.

We are not through with the programs. If we can fix the slight degredation issues asscoiated with file #2 (with scene selections) we will update the file here. Also, we plan to produce a short - just showing the Sierras (mountains and river crossings). That too will be posted here when available. If you want to be on our mailing list and be notified when any new changes or programs are released, please send us an email with "Add to mailing List" in the subject box. Our email address is at the bottom of this page. Those of you already getting email alerts from us are already on the list.

Ok, enough, here are the files. (Presently Off-line but we have a way for you to get the files!)

1. Standard DVD, main menu only, no chapters (best quality std format) (2.9 Gb)

2. Standard DVD with submenu and chapters (many viewers don't notice the picture quality differences - try it!) (3.4 Gb)

3. Blu-Ray file - Only if you have a US (NTSC) Blu-Ray player (11 Gb) - this could take 4-6 hours or longer, to download. Note: Currently testing the delivery methods .

4. A std. DVD in PAL format for those in foreign countries that use the PAL format. For our hiker friends in New Zealand and Australia.

5. A breakout of just the Sierras section. - approx. 20 minutes for abbreviated showings- Do a presentation at REI and talk about winter mountaieering and gnarly river crossings!!

6. See the other Class videos here and download them from the PlanYourHike site.

Return to PCT page

Contact us: JackandBarbPCT@gmail.com