Sunshine
Larissa “Sunshine” Gore is a two-time thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Since completing her two hikes in back-to-back seasons (2004 & 2005), Larissa has moved on to other (greater?) challenges in life, such as working as a nurse in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) of Mission Hospital and dating Chris Gallaway.
The A.T. was a significant experience in Larissa’s life, so much so that at the end of her first six-month journey along the Trail she turned around and started another thru-hike the following spring. She brought her trail name back with her from the woods, and she uses it interchangeably with her proper name, going by both Larissa and Sunshine depending on the circle of friends she is in. Sunshine is the main support team, trip advisor, and #1 cheer-leader for Chris’s attempt to thru-hike and document the Appalachian Trail. She will be joining for sections along the way.
Sunshine’s favorite things on the trail:
– the call of loons
– swimming holes
– french fries
* editor’s note: As of Ocotober 12, 2013, Sunshine is now Larissa “Sunshine” Gallaway. Frost and Sunshine are now husband and wife.
I’m looking foward to following your AT journey. You are an talented filmaker! Hope next year is my chance to do a thru-hike. In the meantime I will live through you. God speed and good luck!
The Ruchs miss you already Chris. Got to spend Valentine’s evening with your sweetie. Hope you are enjoying yourself!
It will be interesting to follow your hike!
Hey Sunshine. I just left Chris a message about his video and wish you both the best on your hike this year. I wonder…are you the same “Sunshine” that’s in the National Geographic video about the AT?
Good Luck to you both.
Hi! Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not the Sunshine from the National Geographic video. Chris’ project is my video debut. 🙂 Thanks for following along; hope you continue to enjoy!
Chris! A stunning movie as usual from you. I do enjoy how you reveal the human aspect of your journey and also your film conjures up a longing for depth and a connection to spiritual significance. Thanks for sharing your talents. (Let me know when your moving through VT!)
-Chip (Montreat)
I was finally able to watch the video and am so impressed. Thank you for sharing this with us Larissa. I can’t wait to follow along with Chris. God Speed.
So beautiful, Chris! I really look forward to following your continuing journey, as I start a similar one of my own. Although it won’t be a thru-hike, I’ll be doing the southern third of the trail with my girlfriend starting in early May. Your filmmaking is evocative and stunning, the images are stirring and the soundtrack is a perfect match, and the still photography speaks volumes. It takes some real stamina to carry all that equipment and set up those shots, kudos to your extra efforts! Best of luck and godspeed.
Thank you all! It’s great to have this encouragement to read as I continue plugging away at the miles and the edits. I look forward to sharing more of the journey with you. -Frost/CG
Hi Chris, I met you at the summit of Mt. Greylock this past Saturday while taking a break from hiking with my daughter and enjoying some very odd ice cream flavors. I’ve watched some of your videos, and they are inspirational! Someday I hope to have the time and wherewithal to make the journey myself. I hope you find your way safely, and enjoy your time…you never get it back and you never know what life will hand you.
Wow! Your videos took me rIght back to the trail (and made me extremely happy about my April start). Congrats on the finish. I’m sure your brother had a huge smile as you reached your goal. I can’t wait to see more footage and the final product. Keep up the good work!
Sundance
Hi Chris, We met you in the 100 mile wilderness — toward the end of your hike. I finished my 17-year section hike on Sep. 6, just a few days after you finished your thru-hike. Dick and I were hiking southbound the day we met the two of you. Dick noticed your gear and we struck up a conversation. We saw you again at the AT Cafe after you had finished your hike and before I finished mine. I still had two days left — Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream and the summit day.
We have enjoyed watching your videos, reading your journal, and seeing your photographs. We are still working on ours from the trip but I have posted one blog on our website from the summit day. We will post more over time.
We are so sorry about your brother — he sounded like such a special person. Hopefully you felt his spirit as you stood on top of Katahdin.
And we are so happy for you and Larissa! By now you are married and settling into a wonderful life together.
Thank you so much for sharing your trip through this website — your photography is beautiful and it is wonderful reliving my trip as I read about yours.
Best of luck to you!!! Hope our paths cross again!
Ann and Dick
Thank you for the kind note, Ann. It was a pleasure meeting you guys near the end of both of our long journeys, and I’m so glad to see that you had splendid weather the day that you summited. Congratulations! Married life has been wonderful, and I’m getting down to work on the feature film from my hike. We, too, hope that our paths cross somewhere down the trail.
We met you at the hostel in Monson, ME where we’d gone to see hikers Army Ant, OzJacko, Invisible Man and Rolling R’s. I remember telling Snacktime as I took a picture of the two of you that he was having his photo taken with someone who would some day be famous. I just watched your Episode 4, and am more convinced than ever. Your are a truly talented filmmaker.
Loved your film, Chris, and enjoyed meeting you and Sunshine at The Gathering last month.
As I only arrived home (Texas) a week ago–FINALLY I’m able to make a donation toward your film’s post-production this evening (I was redirected to the ATC website, hope you get my $400! It stated that my donated funds would be redirected to you to finish your film. Please notify me if you fail to recieve the funds.)
Thanks again. Really enjoyed meeting (and Contra dancing (my first time)) with you both!
Best this Winter,
Russell, aka “The Artful Dodger”