Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

For the Mighty Blue show, it's a bit of a first today. Our guest is Person Irresponsible, or PI, and she is as unlikely a hiker as you've ever met. Yet, with grit and determination–and the fact that she had nowhere else to go–PI managed to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in Covid Year. It was lonely; she was inexperienced, and she shares how she used a program designed for something else to navigate her hike. It's a fascinating story. If you'd like to follow more of PI's adventure, and if you'd like to read more about her book, you can go to http://www.mlconaquad.com/. You can also find her (still anonymous) on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/person.irresponsible.3 The book is also available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Everything-You-Ever-Taught-Me-ebook/dp/B096FYV6J9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30ZK3PG7JFE38&dchild=1&keywords=everything+you+ever+taught+me&qid=1631128862&s=digital-text&sprefix=everything+you+ever+taught%2Camazon-devices%2C184&sr=1-1 And don't forget, our sponsor for the month of September is Cedar Trail Gear, with their 3 Point Multi Tool. Make sure you check them out at https://cedartrailgear.com/ Katie and I chatted this week when she was halfway up Mt Avery in Maine on a beautiful Wednesday morning. Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? And Winton Porter's Passin' Thru gets onto the prickly subject of ultralight gear. He has a warning for the unprepared! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

In the show this week, we have one of those guys who has wanted to do the Appalachian Trail for pretty much his entire life. That kinship with the trail and the forest began when he got lost on a scout trip at the age of ten. Eric Patterson harbored the feeling of peace and comfort throughout his life and finally got to achieve his dream in 2020. He tells his story and the impact it has had on him. You can follow Eric on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/WILDONTHETRAIL/videos and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wildonthetrail/ Katie and I caught up this week when she was sitting on top of a mountain in the 1000 Mile Wilderness. As it always does with thru-hikers, Maine is making a massive, positive impression upon her. In Winton Porter's Passin' Thru, Winton introduces us to another couple of unforgettable characters. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. And remember, you can always support what we're doing by buying one of my books. My 2014 thru-hike story is in two volumes; My Appalachian Trial I: Three Weddings and a Sabbatical My Appalachian Trial II: Creaking Geezer, Hidden Flagon Along with those two, Hiking the Appalachian trail is Easy: Especially if You've Never Hiked Before can all be checked out on Amazon and at my author website https://steveadamsauthor.com/. All support, in whatever form, is gratefully received.

Today's guest, Daniel Winsor, will make you wonder for his sanity, then marvel at his tenacity. He decided that a hike through the Sierras in snow would be a challenge not to be missed, so set himself up for precisely that–in a heavy snow year. Daniel shares his somewhat shaky preparations with us, then chronicles his journey, making it through about 400 miles of snowy trail. He wrote a book–named "Crunch"–about his experience and you can check it out at https://amzn.to/2V4l2E3 You can also follow Daniel on his social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/hikerbeta and https://www.instagram.com/hikerbeta/ or check out his website at http://hikerbeta.com/ While you're there, you can check out my books about my 2014 thru-hike at https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Adams/e/B01IP8ZVFW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1629924020&sr=8-1 If you prefer, you can buy the printed versions from me at steveadamsauthor.com; I'll even sign them for you if you'd like. Katie made it up Katahdin and to the fabled brown sign. It was every bit as good as it looks here!! In the show, I also mentioned the upcoming "Woods Hole Weekend," where you can prepare for your 2022 thru-hike with experienced hikers in the idyllic surroundings of the gorgeous Woods Hole with the enchanting Neville Harris. Check it out here. https://woodsholehostel.com/things-to-do/the-woods-hole-weekend/ Finally today, Chapter 2 of "Just Passin' Thru" introduces us to a guy with a serious snake bite and a woman with a serious potty mouth!! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Another stellar story for you all this week. Josh and Cassie Sutton started a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail back in the middle of January 2021. Apart from the early start, that wouldn't have been especially noteworthy–other than that they hiked with their four-year-old son, Harvey, or Little Man! What happened over the next seven months is a story of determination, patience, games, and a little bit of arm-twisting to get permission for Harvey to climb Katahdin–which he did last Monday, August 9. If you'd like to watch more of the Sutton story, you can follow their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAfUef5Cy3n4ujPE5JDQ1w and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/livesutton/ We catch up with Katie, having "abandoned" her for about a month. I'm delighted to be able to report that she's alive and thriving!! I also start a new book this week, with Winton Porter's "Just Passin' Thru." I hope that you all enjoy it. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Jesse Cody had never hiked until he read Bill Bryson's book, "A Walk in the Woods." Something within the book spoke to him, and he saw a thru-hike as a way forward from some of his mental health issues. The result was a revelation, and Jesse devoted his days to helping others with some of the same issues. We spoke last week with Randi Silverman of the Youth Mental Health Project and Jesse is supporting that charity by raising money on the PCT. Jesse's website, https://hikethegoodhike.com/, brings awareness and information on mental health to hikers everywhere. The man is truly on a mission.. On the home page of the site, Jesse says "My feet have carried me over roughly 7500 miles of trails throughout the United States, and now I'm sharing my journey to bring awareness to mental health through wilderness exploration." You can follow Jesse on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hikethegoodhike/ and on Facebook at ps://www.facebook.com/hikethegoodhike and https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cody.77 If you'd like to make a monetary donation to his hike, then you can click on this link. https://ymhproject.networkforgood.com/projects/133134-walking-and-talking-for-youth-mental-health If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week's guest is Randi Silverman, the founder of the youth Mental Health Project. I think I can do no better than to replicate the notes that Randi sent me when I asked her about the information and Jesse Cody's hike. The Youth Mental Health Project The Youth Mental Health Project is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that seeks to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth. We believe that: • Mental health lies on a continuum and includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. • A healthy mind is as important to a child's development as a healthy body. • In order to address the devastating consequences of the current mental health crisis, early intervention and prevention must become the norm. We believe every child's mental well-being needs to be nurtured, and that mental wellness and physical wellness should be equally prioritized. By equipping communities with tools to facilitate open and honest dialogue, providing educational materials that promote mental health literacy, and supporting families who are struggling, The Youth Mental Health Project is at the forefront of creating lasting change. WHAT WE DO: SUPPORT: The Parent Support Network is a parent-driven, family focused program that provides parents who are concerned about their children's mental health with a dependable and caring network, valuable peer support, and access to peer recommended resources in their local communities. EVENTS: We help create events that spark positive dialogue and bring the subject of youth mental health to life in a way that is compelling, inspiring, and informative. FILM SCREENINGS: We foster community dialogue through community screenings of the award-winning film, No Letting Go. Speakers and materials are available to help facilitate post-screening discussions. EDUCATION: In addition to our Fact Sheet series, our Understanding Youth Mental Health booklet, created in partnership with Silver Hill Hospital and our Understanding Youth Mental Health: Questions Parents Frequently Ask guidebook, created in partnership with Child Guidance Mid-Fairfield County, are great tools for those who want to learn more. ABOUT JESSE CODY: Jesse Cody is the wilderness explorer behind "Hike the Good Hike." His mission is to use HTGH to raise mental health awareness and help fund organizations dedicated to improving mental health. Several years ago, Jesse's own mental health struggles led him to become suicidal. He was at a crossroads and asked himself, "Do you want to continue on like this, a path that could end in tragedy, or do you want to live?" A series of serendipitous events led him to stumble upon Bill Bryson's book A Walk In The Woods about hiking the Appalachian Trail. A few months later, he found himself at the trailhead on Springer Mountain about to embark on a 2,200 mile hike, despite the fact that he'd never so much as pitched a tent before. It was the walk that saved his life. He has since hiked over 7,000 miles and has used his story to inspire countless others. Through his writing and social media presence, he's gained a significant audience who have inspired him to continue growing my mantra "Hike the Good Hike" into a mental health awareness movement. Check out Jesse's video here. OUR COLLABORATION: The Youth Mental Health Project is delighted to announce a new partnership with the amazing Jesse Cody and Hike the Good Hike. The mission of The Youth Mental Health Project is to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of youth. Hike the Good Hike is committed to raising awareness about mental health and helping people cultivate more positive mindsets and lifestyles. Together, we will work to create a world where people are just as aware of their mental health as they are of their physical health, and where all families are able to readily access the mental health care and support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. While hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this summer, Jesse will be busting stigmas, increasing awareness, raising critical funds, and celebrating hope by "Walking and Talking for Youth Mental Health" - turning his powerful hike into a mental health awareness movement! His goal is to bring attention to the importance of understanding mental health and to raise $50,000 to fund essential programs of The Youth Mental Health Project that support and educate families who are struggling. Show your support by DONATING to his campaign or follow Jesse on social media: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hikethegoodhike/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hikethegoodhike and https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cody.77 The Youth Mental Health Project is on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ymhproject/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YMHProject And even after these extensive notes, Randi sent me more vital information. Suicide is the 2nd leadin

About ten years ago, you would never have guessed that Richie Holbrook would be taking on the Appalachian Trail. He was in a wheelchair, on oxygen, and with a hopeless pair of lungs. A transplant turned out to be his life-saver. This year, he was able to get on the trail and begin his journey to Katahdin. His remarkable story is a testimony to not only grit and determination, but also the unwitting gesture of an anonymous person who chose to be an organ donor. Richie's journey is a legacy for that person and he is trying to spread awareness of the need to opt in to organ donation, rather than the more obvious solution of requiring people to opt out. That one change would make a huge difference in the pool of potential organ donors. If you've never thought of this issue before, Richie will open your eyes today. You can find out more about organ donation at http://organdonor.gov/, while Richie can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/richard.holbrook.1656 and on YouTube at https://youtube.com/channel/UCv8U1Iuo33Vue69NoQc_saA If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Today is the first of four shorter shows, with just one main interview and a few words of commentary from me. With a bit of luck, I'll be out on the John Muir Trail as you're listening to me and my guests. Our guests today are Vince and Monica Strawbridge who, along with their four children and a friend, have recently completed the Appalachian Trail. For the Strawbridges, it was the culmination of their family Triple Crown. This remarkable feat was achieved over a few years as the family responded to the hard times of the financial crisis by getting out on trails and realizing that their kids not only took to the lifestyle, but actually thrived out there. The family maintained a YouTube and Instagram account as they completed their hikes. You can visit them here. https://www.youtube.com/strawbridgetreksfamily https://www.instagram.com/strawbridgetreks/ If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We return to the world of YouTube this week, with another interview of a woman who successfully thru-hiked the trail and recorded her experiences along the way. Gretchen Pardon shared her joys, and her sorrows. So, when we spoke, I always knew we'd get to talk about her depression and anxiety. Her sunny disposition masks an inner strength and occasional anxiety that she faces. It was important to Gretchen that she was able to share this part of herself. If you'd like to connect with Braids or see some of her adventures, she can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/HikingwithBraids/, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hikingwithbraids/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hikingwithbraids Katie has returned home for a family birthday, so this week we took the chance to reflect on her first third of the trail. When we next hear from her, I'll be back from the JMT, so I look forward to catching up with her then. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week, let's welcome a newly minted thru-hiking couple to the show. Jessica Mills (Dixie) and her partner, MarDe Brooks, recently completed the Florida Trail, wading through swamps, bugs, gators and hot weather along the way. Jessica has been on the show before, but I was particularly interested in the dynamic between the two of them as they faced the test of a thru-hike. With the hike now in their rearview mirror, Jessica decided to repay MarDe's gesture of hiking with her by joining him where he is the most comfortable–on stage, singing at a festival. You can hear that here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKU1t6zQDpk If you want to see and hear more of Jessica and MarDe, check out the links below. MarDe Brooks Social Media Links •YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyygaT4mrVUfF7UC6pGgF-w •Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7txM1hlPgJt6CGJosCgPgA •Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MarDeBrooksMusic •Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MarDeBrooksMusic •Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MarDeBrooks/posts Website: www.MarDeBrooks.com Jessica "Dixie" Mills Social Media Links •YouTube: www.YouTube.com/c/HomemadeWanderlust •Facebook: www.Facebook.com/HomemadeWanderlust •Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HomemadeWanderlust •Patreon: www.patreon.com/HomemadeWanderlust Katie has reached the rocks of Pennsylvania and is coping well with them. She catches us up with her progress over the past week. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week, our guest is Michael Sisemore, better known as Sy. As many people do, Michael hiked the Appalachian Trail when he was at a real crossroads in his life. He had no idea what he'd be doing after the trail but allowed himself the luxury of being open to all possibilities. The transformation that came his way was seismic, with the effects reverberating down the years nearly a quarter of a century later. Michael found a life that worked for him, and has now written a book that talks of those changes, as well as the meeting and very close friendship with a true trail legend. His story is fascinating. You can read some great excerpts from the book at http://www.intherealworldihike.com/ and follow Sy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/at99sy/ If you'd like to buy his book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094CXWV11?pf_rd_r=A7B6KASNTC21KNPFRT1S&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=999176fe-f691-46ad-9b35-439412a22d99&pd_rd_w=MNzIJ&pd_rd_wg=qwQaX&ref_=pd_gw_unk Katie has been putting in the miles this week, having eased herself back into her hike after her unfortunate injury. She also passed a special milestone. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week on the show, we go back to the 'normal" format, with me, Mighty Blue, at the microphone. Ryan is passing back the show having successfully steered it for the past three months. I am eternally grateful for the effort Ryan put into the show and hope to have him back behind the mic from time to time. Today's guest is Steve Nota, a Bostonian relocated to Australia. Steve shares his story about hiking as a youngster, then moving to Australia and hiking "tracks" out there. He will attempt to realize a burning ambition to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2022. As you can see from the pictures, the Aussie "tracks" provide the hiker with some glorious views. Katie Westling has settled more into her hike and crossed two state borders this past week. Her progress is measured, but our listeners continue to support her in her journey, with two "Angels" helping her through Pennsylvania. Now that I'm back in my recording seat, please let me know of any guests you'd like me to speak with by emailing me at [email protected]. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Lisa Speas or "Conundrum" has been long-distance backpacking for many years traversing a variety of trails, the longest of which being the Appalachian Trail. Her AT journey was anything but typical and even included flatlining in the emergency room. Lisa and Ryan discuss her journey on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, and the Great Allegheny Passage. She also shares her experience and advice for women hikers over 50 and how her backpacking style has evolved over the years. Katie Westling is out of the Shennies at last!! The knee continues to improve, and she is past the Roller coaster. All in all, a week of success, including her picture at the ATC in Harpers Ferry. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We've got a couple of overachievers on the show today. Kera and Bill decided that an Appalachian Trail thru-hike wasn't sufficient to scratch their adventure itch, so they went straight from their 2200-mile walk to a 5000-mile bike trip, crossing the country from Bar Harbor to San Diego–taking a fairly circuitous route, it must be said! The two of them had such a blast on the trail–and this was in 2020, Covid Year–that they regarded their journey as not a case of stepping away from their previous lives but more towards their future lives. Going forward, Kera and Bill will be sharing their knowledge of the trail, plus their knowledge of bikepacking, so I urge you to visit their various social media sites below, as well as look out for their website coming soon. Always & Sunny on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysSunnyAT Always & Sunny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Always_Sunny_AT/ Our Website (coming soon): https://www.adventurememories.life/ Katie has been learning valuable lessons on the trail, but her hike is back on and she shares with Steve her last few days in Shenandoah, with reflections upon those lessons. At last, we've come to the concluding chapter of Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail, with Larry summing up the trail afterlife so beautifully and so topically, even though this was written nearly 30 years ago. Some things on the trail never change. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

On a beautiful day in the Grayson Highlands, Ryan hikes and sits down with Nimblewill Nomad for a follow-up interview from the last time they spoke on the trail. Nimblewill is over 900 total miles in since leaving Flagg Mountain, Alabama, earlier this year. He is attempting to set a record by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail at 83 years old. His hike this season has drawn the attention of many in the trail community and all are rooting for his success. Hike on Nimblewill! https://nimblewillnomad.com/ Email Ryan: [email protected] Katie continues her tentative on-trail rehab. She is still in Shenandoah National Park and gradually increasing the pressure on her knee. Steve and Katie discuss her plans to increase both the weight that she's carrying as well as the number of miles she is doing. As always, her determined spirit shines through. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

While you listen to this, our guest today, Jamey Mossengren, is out on the Pacific Crest Trail with his buddies, The Minnesota Hikings. Jamey and I talk about his 2019 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and his remarkable mode of transport on the Colorado Trail, amongst others. Despite our laughs, I was struck how Jamey and his mates were enjoying the trail and taking their time. This is probably why a bunch of younger guys didn't catch and pass this older guy in 2019! He has some wonderful stories to tell and even tries out a new name for Trail Magic. Let me know what you think; it may catch on! If you'd like to catch up with the Minnesota Hikings, check out their various social media sites below. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnhikings Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNHikings YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdpLKNHTlR-G9D1KqNT_fag/playlists Also, if you'd like to know what it's like to be a real life unicorn, check out Jamey's personal sites. Blog: https://www.uniproshow.com/apps/blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUnicyclingUnicorn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheUnicyclingUnicorn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_unicycling_unicorn Katie is easing her way back into fitness by doing short days on her way through Shenandoah National Park. The great news is that she's currently feeling no pain. Let's hope it continues. In Larry Luxenburg's book, Walking the Appalachian Trail, Larry and his guests have reached Baxter State Park and Katahdin. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

It was Trail Days in Damascus this past weekend, and Ryan took to opportunity to chat with Steve about the event itself, his books, and his upcoming plans for the JMT. With Steve on his mini-sabbatical, Ryan is choosing the topics he wants to cover on the show and decided that putting a bit of a spotlight on Steve's books would open them to a new audience. If you'd like to see more about the books and to buy them, you can check them out at https://steveadamsauthor.com/ Remember, you can get a free copy of his short AT primer as an ebook from that site. Katie is back on the trail. This time, she is carefully reinserting herself onto the trail, starting in Shenandoah and hoping that her leg continues to heal. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Jim Harrison serves as the Director of Outdoor Programs at Emory and Henry College, where he created and oversees the Semester-A-Trail program. The only one of its kind in the country, this program allows students to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail while enrolled in courses tailored to their experience. Jim was shaped by his 1997 southbound AT thru-hike and now mentors students as they pursue their own long-distance backpacking dreams. He resides in Damascus, Virginia with his family and is also an English faculty member at the college. Semester-A-Trail: https://www.ehc.edu/outdoor-program/semester-atrail/ Ryan's email: [email protected] Don't forget. If you're coming along to Trail Days this weekend, drop in and see Steve at the author's section to say hi! You can check out his books at steveadamsauthor.com Also this week, Steve is still looking for members of Mighty Blue's Tramily to help raise money for Parenting Matters, a wonderful parenting education agency here on Florida's Gulf Coast. Check that out at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Bradenton/10000Stepsfor10000Families I hope to welcome some of you to my team. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Will Campbell "Guano Man" joins the show this week as the first "subject matter expert" to discuss electronics and technology on the trail. With his electrical engineering background, we discuss batteries, cell phone systems, and chargers, all while considering the unique needs and challenges of the trail. Guthook Articles: https://atlasguides.com/blog/tech-on-trail-archive/ Questions for Ryan or Will? Email [email protected] Ryan referred to a coverage app. You can check that out here. http://www.twostepsbeyond.com/apps/ I also mentioned my new author website. Check it out at https://steveadamsauthor.com/ If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Lisa and Gordon Simmons are the proud owners of Hostel Around the Bend in Hiawassee, Georgia. The hostel is just half a mile from Dick's Creek Gap (AT Mile 69.2) and this is their first season fully open. We discuss the experience of running a hostel, how the year has gone for them, and even share some advice for hikers. If you'd like to stay at Hostel Around the Bend or get in touch with them, their information is below: https://www.hostelaroundthebend.com/ 7675 Hwy 76 E Hiawassee, GA 30546 Phone: (706) 389-9668 Email: [email protected] Katie, or Phoenix, has been having a tough few weeks and has come to a decision that changes her AT plans. That said, as always, she looks on the bright side. If you'd like to support the Virtual Walk, 10,000 Steps for 10,000 Families, click on the link below to walk virtually with Steve, in Mighty Blue's Tramily. Thanks for all the support. https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/109424 If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

For my show this month, I've returned to the Class of 2019 and a woman I met quite early on. Sarah Jane Hatfield was an outwardly confident hiker, with a YouTube channel and blog for a local newspaper, chronicling her way north. However, that wasn't at all how she felt in those early days. Her fascinating story is punctuated with a birth (her daughter's, not hers), a traumatic injury, a romance, and ultimate satisfaction on top of Katahdin. Sarah emerges from her experience even stronger than the woman she initially presented. Her story is another of those that fall under the category of "beware of what you wish for." In Sarah's case, the transformation was totally positive. You can follow Sarah's YouTube channel and blog by clicking on the links below. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pOpiIJZEbb6b8EKDHj6bA https://www.themountaineer.com/search/?l=25&sort=relevance&f=html&t=article%2Cvideo%2Cyoutube%2Ccollection&app=editorial&nsa=eedition&q=georgia+to+maine+with+sarah+jane Katie has had another tough week, with a nagging ankle injury teaching her a significant lesson. Nevertheless, she soldiers on and heads out again this Thursday. I spoke today about my new Author page. You can find it at https://steveadamsauthor.com/ With a bit of luck, it should be live on Thursday morning!! Check out the intended covers of my next hiking books below. NOTE!! These are NOT written yet. These were designed by a previous podcast guest, Jessie Crawford. You can see more of her great design work at https://jessiecrawford.com/ Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail distills trail wisdom that is still relevant 30 years after it was written. We're coming to the end of this book. I hope you've enjoyed getting this glimpse into our hiking forefathers. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

The show this week features interviews from four hikers who Ryan was able to meet with at Rock Gap in North Carolina, mile 105.8 on the Appalachian Trail. All four interviews offer different perspectives, and each has a unique story to share about their hike. This is Gandalf. By complete luck, he crossed paths with Nimblewill Nomad, and got to chat with a real legend in the long-distance hiking world. Nimblewill started his AT hike in Flagg Moutain, Alabama and has already completed the Pinhoti Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail connecting to the AT at Springer. When Nimblewill reaches Katahdin this season, he will be the oldest person to complete the AT at 83 years old. Check out his website and blog here: https://nimblewillnomad.com/ Perry's Photography Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrywintersphotography/ Check out Perry's prints here: https://perrywinters.smugmug.com/ Ryan's email: [email protected] Steve caught up with Katie once more as she nears the 300-mile mark. A rest in Hot Springs will be just what she needs. Steve also shared details about his virtual walk to support Parenting Matters. If you'd like to join Mighty Blue's Tramily, just click here. https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/109424 If you'd just like to walk yourself or start your own team, click here. https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Bradenton/10000Stepsfor10000Families You can check out Parenting Matters at https://parentingmattersfl.org/ The new Parenting Matters Podcast is here. https://parentingmattersfl.org/podcast/ Please share the podcast if you know any parents or families who may benefit. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Originally from Virginia, Zach Hoops has gone all-in with long-distance and ultralight backpacking. After discovering his love for hiking and honing his craft on sections of the AT, he went on to complete the Pacific Crest Trail Southbound in just over one hundred days. In addition to this major accomplishment, he has traversed several other lesser-known trails spanning from Arkansas to the Sierra High Route. He has compiled all of his own research into some very useful trail guides that can be found on his website. Zach also shares what he has learned from embracing the ultralight style and focusing on big mile days. Check out Zach's information-packed website here: https://relishhikes.com/ Zach's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8roAF3r-fi5PxLQaW3ZwWA/featured Also in this week's show, Steve shared news of a Virtual Walk on behalf of Parenting Matters, in Bradenton. You can sign up to be a member of Mighty Blue's Tramily at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Bradenton/10000Stepsfor10000Families Additionally, Steve mentioned a podcast you may wish to share with families you know. You can find that at https://parentingmattersfl.org/podcast/ and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Cass Bridges hails from North Georgia and spent a few seasons working at the historic Mountain Crossings before taking on a thru-hike attempt of her own in 2020. Her journey included two months of isolation since she had a start date of February 1st (!) combined with a more brutal than usual winter. However, the second half of her hike included a hugely impactful trail family that made the experience even more memorable. Nova is wise beyond her years and made the most out of her Appalachian Trail thru-hike by reflecting and growing every step of the way. Check out Nova's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kassdeey/ As Ryan said in the show, he welcomes emails with comments about the podcast and other ideas you may have for him. He's at [email protected]. Katie Westling is in NOC, with the weather and her second Covid vaccination slowing her down a little. But she's in good spirits and will be doing that long climb out of the NOC, while many of you are listening to this. Best of luck with that one, Katie! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Zach Nagy was introduced to hiking and car camping as a kid but a life in the rock business–working with Joan Jett–took him down another path until he met a woman from CT who reintroduced him to trails and revived those earlier memories. His hike of the PCT was transformative, with the community on that trail an unexpected highlight and delight. Now clean, he shares the dark days and the camping nights of his life with a fresh enthusiasm. If you'd like to follow Zach on his upcoming CDT thru-hike, as well as his other adventures, check out his YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CaiumFMxCXZ6fgIEVvJHg As Zach mentioned in our conversation, he is a passionate advocate for Hike For Mental Health, and his fundraiser for the CDT supports that charity. You can check that out here. https://www.hikeformentalhealth.org/hikers/just-awesome-hikes-the-cdt/ Katie's truncated start of the Appalachian Trail is about to be truncated once more, as she heads back home for her second Covid shot. We caught up after she'd experienced some of the trail's notorious Georgia weather. Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail introduces us to a variety of animals on the AT, in particular, Ziggy, the hiking cat! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Self-described "Complete Nature Boy," Rue McKenrick is today's guest. He takes us on a journey around the American Perimeter Trail. It was Rue's vision that spawned the idea and he is the one who is driving it forward. He is soon to return to the trail after an absence of six months. When he left it for a break–in October 2020–he had been out on the trail for over a year. Rue's hiking resume is extensive, including the Triple Crown and the John Muir Trail. But it is the APT that occupies his thought these days, as he works to realize his ambition. He's been shot at and had about 20 interactions with Law Enforcement while blazing this trail, so the difficulty of the mission should not be underestimated. If you'd like to learn more about the trail and about Rue, you can follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ruemckenrick/ and on the trail's website, at https://americanperimetertrailproject.weebly.com/ Katie Westling is learning a few harsh realities on the trail, though she was expecting them! Her honeymoon period is over and the real work of a thru-hike is now in front of her. Remember, you can follow her on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChEDoHA8w7RgCgs8MxuiIxA/videos With Summer coming, I'm taking a break from the main part of the podcast (apart from a monthly show plus my weekly interviews with Katie) and Ryan Hopkins will be taking my place as the presenter. Here, Ryan chats about his plans for the show and demonstrates how he is a ready-made temporary replacement for me. Don't forget, I'll be back in October full time. In the interim, you can reach out to Ryan at [email protected] or, of course, I'll always be happy to hear from any of you at [email protected] Larry Luxenburg's "Walking the Appalachian Trail" discusses some of the traditions and silliness of the trail from 25 years ago. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

I hadn't noticed how many of my fellow members of the Class of 2019 I'd had on the show until I spoke with Ray Kroebl, or Sparky. Ray is Swiss and, while we never met on the trail, we did hike just a few days apart. He started four days before me and ended five days before I did. And it was feeling such a kindred spirit with Ray that made me aware of how many of my fellow hikers on that trip were similarly kindred spirits. When you share time in such a visceral society, we bond. Ray is from Switzerland, so we spoke about his logistical challenges of getting onto the trail, as well as the enjoyment that he derived from literally every day that he spent on the trail. You can follow more of Ray's experiences through his Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/rkroebl/. Also this week, ATC's Brendan Mysliwiec, who is the Director of Federal Policy and Legislation and runs advocacy and federal government relations for ATC. He shares some fascinating insights into the sort of work with which the ATC is involved, dealing with an incoming administration. Then, Katie Westling got on the phone to me and shared those first few days of being on the trail. As you'll hear, Katie had a somewhat more comfortable time than most!! If you'd like to see more of Katie's hike, remember to visit her YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChEDoHA8w7RgCgs8MxuiIxA Finally, in Walking The Appalachian Trail, by Larry Luxenburg, we're introduced to the cult of Garveyism!! Fascinating. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

It's one of our longest ever shows today, with three guests and my book reading. First up, Juliana Chauncey, a fellow member of the Class of 2019, and a fellow podcaster (with Zach Davis on Backpacker Radio), shares her hiking journeys on both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. While originally from the Eat Coast, Chaunce knew virtually nothing about the AT before she started; she only found out about MacAfee Knob when she came to it!! However, a combination of stubbornness and grit allowed her to finish the trail and add to her hiking resume. You can learn more about Chaunce from her website, http://julianachauncey.com/. You can also follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/juliana_chauncey/ and her YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/user/julianachauncey You can find Chaunce's book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Home-Long-Distance-Family-Friends/dp/0578635143?fbclid=IwAR10B9Mz53tFfuyhi5LGCe1tCPwc-ibmZfGZDW_ZnOtUNEsMH3XmmgPerrU Katie Westling is starting her countdown to next week's Appalachian Trail start, so she and I discuss those last-minute arrangements–and nerves. After Andrew Downs came on the show a couple of weeks back, Maury Johnson wanted to talk about the ATC in the context of the deal that they had made with Mountain Valley Pipeline. Of course, I was only too pleased to share my platform with him, and he aired his own views of what he sees as an unsatisfactory situation. Finally, Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail talks about hiking as an older hiker, as well as with a disability or even severe injury. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Brittany Briley's smile lit up the trail in 2019, and we first met at Woods Hole Hostel. A nurse by training, she felt that the time was right to take a break in her early 30s and hiked the Appalachian Trail as joyously as anybody I met out there. We didn't hike together much but, as is the way of the trail, we often saw one another. Brittany shared part of the trail with the sadly missed Pony Keg and his dog Blue. Eventually, Brittany teamed up with previous guests on this show and she summited with Cushy Life, Turd Ferguson, and Shark Tooth, along with Runaway Jim. As she'll tell you, they laughed relentlessly. Knowing these people, I can well understand it. If you'd like to read Mooney's blog, here it is: https://www.hiketotheheart.com or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hiketotheheart/ Sandi Marra speaks on behalf of the ATC with regard to their JEDI initiative. If you'd like to learn more about this, go to https://appalachiantrail.org/our-work/about-us/jedi/ We're back on with Katie Westling as she counts down to her start date in less than two weeks. This week, Katie surprises me by how similar our gear is. Katie's YouTube channel is at https://youtube.com/channel/UChEDoHA8w7RgCgs8MxuiIxA while she is also raising awareness of Resources For Resilience. You can check them out at: https://resourcesforresilience.com/ Finally, Larry Luxenburg's Walking The Appalachian Trail continues this week's theme of strong women on the trail. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Joseph Barnett had quite the adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail during the latter half of 2019 and the first half of 2020. He faced a bunch of problems, took days off regularly to explore the towns around the trail with his wife, developed a hernia along the way, yet emerged at Springer Mountain battered but victorious. Along the way, Joseph documented and photographed people, plants, and animals, eventually producing a 500-page book he'd like to share with everybody. Quite how we're going to get it to you all, I haven't figured out yet. But watch this space for news in the future. Joseph's determination and self-belief carried him forward, sharing his hike with both his daughter and wife at various times, and meeting a guy with whom he hiked over 1,000 miles. We're introducing our new Class of 2021 hiker this week. She is Katie Westley, or Phoenix Rising. This week, we learn about why she's heading out on the trail in March. New week, I'll be learning more from Katie regarding her gear. Katie is supporting Resources For Resilience on her hike and talks about them briefly on the show. If you'd like to learn more, visit them here. https://resourcesforresilience.com/ Additionally, you can follow Katie's YouTube channel here. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChEDoHA8w7RgCgs8MxuiIxA In our ATC segment today, Julie Judkins tells us "How to be an Ally." If you'd like to put more of this into practice, or understand further, visit https://appalachiantrail.org/event/2021-hiker-guidance-how-to-be-an-ally/ Finally today, Larry Luxenburg is talking about Trail Magic in his book, Walking the Appalachian Trail. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We have another of my Class of 2019 brothers on the show today. I met Dan Gosmeyer pretty early on the trail and recall his quiet determination but, with a tiny hiking budget, I had doubts he'd get to the end. But the trail does something to a person. It reveals character that you may not have even known was there. Sure enough, sometime last year I received a friend request on Facebook from Dan and confirmed immediately. I checked out his page and was delighted to see that I'd been wrong; he did it. He's still a quiet guy, thoughtful in his deliberations. In fact, I had to cut out quite a few pauses in our chat to keep the flow going. Yet that determination is still there and–after all–he is still an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. You can follow Dan and his girlfriend's new YouTube page, where he shares a few things he learned from the trail. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwarHBfDGl7-nr-OIfkfLcw The ATC have recently come under heavy criticism for a contract they signed last year with Mountain Valley Pipeline, a company which is exactly what it sounds like! Much of the criticism seems to have been reflexive, and I wanted to know what the rationale behind this seeming sell-out was. ATC provided me with Andrew Downs, a thru-hiker himself, who is passionate about both the trail and the attendant environmental issues. You may or may not agree with this rationale, but I hope you give him the opportunity to make his case and read further on the subject through all or any of the following articles. https://energynews.us/2020/10/05/southeast/less-than-ideal-bedfellows-mountain-valley-pipeline-payout-prompts-criticism/ https://roanoke.com/news/local/conservation-groups-purchase-land-to-preserve-views-from-mcafee-knob/article_3f9c56b4-4483-11eb-bd80-0f4943ce97ba.html https://roanoke.com/news/local/mountain-valley-pledges-up-to-19-5-million-to-conserve-land-along-appalachian-trail/article_3bc114c2-d07c-5947-8886-0ff3d106e17f.html Please feel free to offer your own opinion on this. I may bring you on the air or read out your concerns and will certainly bring Andrew back on to answer those concerns. Finally today, Larry Luxenburg's "Walking the Appalachian Trail" discusses some of the more spiritual aspects of the trail. Whether you're religious or not, the trail affects you in a spiritual way. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Today's guest is another whose thru-hike was the Pacific Crest Trail, yet Caroll Coyne has lessons–and solutions–that are universal to all long-distance trails. In her early 30s, she quit a well-paying job that wasn't fulfilling her and found that fulfillment out on the trail, with the community that she craved. Returning home, her trajectory altered and her project to reconnect with the hiking community was born. You can learn more about Caroll and Thru-R at https://www.thru-r.com/. In our conversation, Carol also mentioned Craig's PCT Planner. It is in her resource directory, but I thought I'd add the link as she referred to it. https://pctplanner.com/ You can also connect with Caroll and Thru-r at: THRU-r Instagram: www.instagram.com/thru_r/ THRU-r Facebook: www.facebook.com/thrurcommunity/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carollcoyne/ Kathryn Herndon-Powell returns on behalf of the ATC to help hikers with some social distancing suggestions when out on a trail. If you're still planning on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail this year, make sure you check out https://atcamp.org/. This is a valuable resource that allows you to move your start date forward or backward to miss some high-capacity days. You can also register your own hike, thus helping other hikers who wish to do the same. Finally, in my reading of his book, Walking The Appalachian Trail, Larry Luxenburg is probably preaching to the choir when he reminds us that "it's all about your attitude." If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We have a couple of interesting topics on the show this week. Our first guest, Erik Russell, wrote to me to convey a notable if somewhat jarring, incident that he witnessed while hiking the AT in the 1997. Erik took a lot from both the hike and the incident, and he tells us how those two things contributed to help shape the man he is today. Erik is one of the few guests I've had on the show who had to search high and low for pictures of him hiking! Eventually, he found the only two that he has from his 90s thru-hike, as well as two from recent days on the trail. He also referred to an organization that he led trail crew for. This is the Student Conservation Association (SCA). They run a large number of programs for different ages including the Summer trail crews for teenage volunteers, Americorp programs and others. The SCA may be of interest to listeners who would like a way to work within the trail community or who have teenage children. Their website can be found at https://www.thesca.org/ Our ATC segment is entitled "Stay in the Know" this week, with Communication Director, Jordan Bowman. While we started with that subject, I eventually moved it on to the other interesting topic I mentioned earlier. Finally, today, Larry Luxenberg's Walking the Appalachian Trail warns us of the multitude of things that COULD go wrong on a thru-hike. Be warned!! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

It's lovely to interview somebody you've met and spent time with before. So I was delighted when Tina Tempest agreed to come on the show and share what happened during her 2009 SOBO hike of the Appalachian Trail with her friend. She has always had a desire to travel and fills in her background with one or two of those stories as well. Tina went on to buy a property and start what became one of my favorite hostels on the trail; The Quarterway Inn. Obviously, Covid gave her a hard decision to make, and she closed down for the season. If you'd like to learn more about Tina and the hostel, you can visit her website, at http://www.quarterwayinn.com/, where you can also check out her necklaces. Additionally, you can find her on social media at www.facebook.com/quarterwayinn and www.instagram.com/quarterwayinn. In her story, she refers to her Americorps adventures, so you can read more on that at https://www.americorps.gov/nccc, while you can find out more about volunteering with a trail crew at https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/trail-crews/ Tina also makes and sells Appalachian Trail necklaces and agreed to give one away to a lucky listener. As you'll see below, I wear mine–which I received as a gift at Christmas. All you have to do is tell me, "Which of the 31 AT Maintaining Clubs maintains the trail surrounding the Quarter Way Inn?" When you have the answer, just email me at [email protected] and you'll go into the draw in a couple of weeks. In our ATC segment today, under the Know Before You Go mini-series, Chloe De Camara asks "Why Does Leave No Trace matter?" Once you hear Chloe, you may be interested in finding about the story behind the principles, so go to lnt.org. Finally today, Larry Luxenburg's "Walking The Appalachian Trail is all about the middle miles, with a few words from our #1 thru-hiker, Earl Schaffer. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week, we feature a couple who met on the trail in 2019 and have been a couple ever since. Reid Marshall and Marina Santiago are, however, locationally challenged, as Reid is in Australia and Marina is in Denver. I was fortunate enough to have met Reid on my thru-hike and was impressed with his calm and thoughtful demeanor. When we met, near the VT / NH border, Reid was on his own and didn't meet Marina until many miles later. Such is the serendipity of the trail. They share the story of their respective and joint hikes, as well as their adventures together since the AT. You can connect and find out more about them at their Challenge & Beauty website, https://challengeandbeauty.com/, find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/challengeandbeauty, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/challenge_and_beauty/. Their first book, Trail Running Utah, is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Running-Utah-Challenge-Beauty/dp/1661352820/ref=sr_1_1 Their second set of books, Trail Running Tasmania and Day Hikes Tasmania, are available in the US via special order on their website: https://challengeandbeauty.com/order-now/ Their illustrated book about their AT experience, Filthy and Free, is in the works and will be available later this year. I'll let you know when that comes out. This week on the Know Before You Go ATC part of the show, Laurie Potteiger suggests that we "Explore Locally." She tells us about alternative trails to explore, some of which are listed here. www.appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiker-resource-library/alternate-trails/ A link to the Alternate Trails page, as well as ATC's Day-hiking and Overnight Hiking checklists updated for hiking during COVID-19, and many other useful pages, can be found in the Hiker Resource Library at www.appalachiantrail.org/hiker-resources. Don't forget, if you are going to get on the AT, make sure you register at www.ATCamp.org. In our book reading of Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail, Larry talks about everybody's favorite subject; food and the exquisite possibility of eating guiltlessly. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We normally focus on the Appalachian Trail, but this week, we're moving across the country to share the hike of Mike Current on the Pacific Crest Trail. Mike's YouTube channel provides a thoughtful and entertaining take on hiking. He and Steve chat about the hike and his intense preparations prior to the hike. Mike is particularly keen to make sure that the 2020 hikers' stories are told, believing that 2020 will become a lost year. If you'd like to follow Mike, you can see him on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUjqg7BI_TE-D_O45GapBzw/videos and follow him on Facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/Old-Man-and-the-PCT-2020-105383960868532 Kathryn Herndon-Powell shares her experience in our ATC segment as the first part of a mini-series, Know Before You Go: How To Plan for Hiking in 2021. Somebody found our microphone on the hikingradionetwork.com website!! Julia Doherty–a fellow Brit–tells us that she's found the perfect solution for people who like to journal on the trail and don't want to bring a heavy book. Check them out at https://www.thrunotes.co.uk/ Finally today, Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail covers something of a rarity; hikers who repeat their AT thru-hike. Who on earth would ever do that?? If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We're back to our three-segment show this week, with Steve Yale, or Walmart 2021, as our principal guest. Steve got his name when he first hiked the AT in pretty much all-Walmart gear. He has since worked out better options, but his love of the trail shines through in both our conversation and his devotion to a life of thru-hiking the AT. In contrast to the negative responses that some people experience on Facebook, Steve has been embraced by the Facebook community, gaining support and strength from them throughout his initial and further hikes. You can follow Steve within that community at https://www.facebook.com/steve.yale.395 Jordan Bowman, Director of Communications for the ATC is our second guest this week. Jordan is a fellow member, with me, from the AT Class of 2014, and his responsibility has been to fashion and develop the message coming out from the ATC on behalf of the trail. It hasn't been an easy year. If you're planning a hike on the Appalachian Trail next year, check out their Hiker Preparation series of videos on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFH_6GYIHxE&list=PLUtubPrCAycOb-j-OsqTW5yQQxjQKfQja I revealed the competition winner today for our map giveaway. Christopher Marshburn is the lucky recipient. Here's a link to the Facebook Live draw that I did on Wednesday. https://fb.watch/2IIhBNsrNq/ Finally, Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail digs into the motivations of people's hikes and we learn that virtually nobody does it like anybody else! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

It's a shorter show today, though I think the content is as compelling as ever. This week's guest is Trevor Hendry, or Bear. Trevor's 2020 thru-hike presented him (and his fellow hikers) with unusual problems that he had to encounter and deal with. However, as I've found with some of this class of 2020, his experience–while not the same as previous hiking years–was equally rich as any other. He even found himself slowing deliberately towards the end as he was relishing his adventure. You can see more of Bear's pics on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/trevor__hendry/ There is no middle section of the show this week, but our ATC segment continues next week. In Larry Luxenburg's "Walking the Appalachian Trail" we meet a new character and you'll hear that many of the concerns of today's hiker are reflected in these stories of 30 and 40 years ago. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We've got an old friend on the show today. Matthew "Odie" Norman is one of those good people of the trail. He lives it, he breathes it, and he shares it, with his Hiker Yearbook that reconnects hikers after the trail. Odie reached out to me recently and wanted to give me a recap of how he sees the hiking season of 2020. As you'd imagine, he has plenty to say that makes sense and wears his heart on his sleeve throughout our conversation. If you'd like to learn a little more about Odie and the Hiker Yearbook, you can find out at his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thehikeryearbook and at his website, which is https://hikeryearbook.com/ The last time I saw Kathryn Herndon-Powell, she was at our Woods Hole Weekend, educating everybody about Leave No Trace. This week, on our ATC segment, her topic is Trail Communities. So listen in and find out how why trailside towns are so important. Finally today, in Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail, we get another take on a trail legend; Grandma Gatewood. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week, Larry Knight shares his Appalachian Trail thru-hike story. It was never really a bucket list item for Larry but, as often happened, a confluence of events culminated in Larry finding himself at Springer Mountain, heading north. Injury curtailed the first attempt, but Larry returned to finish the job the following year. When Larry was finished, he wanted a memento of the trip and started thinking about a map that would be personal to him and his hike. This has developed, and a listener to our show, Don Robinson, recently bought and gifted one of Larry's meticulously detailed maps to Steve. Larry then picked up the ball and offered to personalize a map for Steve. It is nothing less than spectacular. Check out the video further below. If you'd like to learn more about Larry's wonderful maps, visit his website at https://www.redeftmapping.com/ or find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/Red_Eft_Mapping/ Steve and Larry discuss how these maps came about and–very generously–Don Robinson and Larry are donating the original map to one of our listeners. Larry himself poses the question on our show, so don't forget to enter this competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs2XvoTHrkw Alyssa Reck was somewhat thrown in at the deep end with a few minutes' notice for this week's ATC segment but handled herself admirably. Alyssa's subject was "Why Connections Matter: From Engagement to Responsible Recreation." If you'd like to learn more about the issues discussed, Alyssa has provided the following links. Hiker Resource Library https://appalachiantrail.org/hiker-resources, This is a collection of resources for hikers to stay safe, healthy, and responsible on the Appalachian Trail. Register on A.T. Camp https://atcamp.org/ Recreate Responsibly Coalition https://www.recreateresponsibly.org/ Folks can also always find ATC us on Social Media. Lastly, Gene Espy figures in this week's reading of Larry Luxenburg's "Walking the Appalachian Trail." If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Another really full show this week, with four segments. First up, there is a recently minted thru-hiker, Stephanie Logan Hall, who completed her SOBO hike on November 19. I was particularly keen to hear from her and her early impressions–which will doubtless change with time–of the trail and her adventure. Those of you who regularly listen to the show will know how impressed I am by these young women who take on the trail. It is clear to me that the world is in safer hands as they become our leaders for tomorrow. I'm afraid it's time for us old fat white guys to step aside!! You can reach out to Stephanie through her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000442855977 Stephen Eren, Trail Facilities Manager with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, shares his views on Life on a Trail Crew. As he said that he would in our conversation, Stephen has provided us with plenty of links to explore the possibilities of working on the trail. Get involved with SWEAT, Rocky Top, or Konnarock Trail Crews: https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/trail-crews/ SWEAT https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/trail-crews/smokies-wilderness-elite-a-t-crew-sweat/ Rocky Top https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/trail-crews/rocky-top-trail-crew/ Konnarock https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/trail-crews/konnarock-trail-crew/ Learn more about Trail Maintenance, Visitor Use Management, Leave No Trace, and Wilderness https://wildernessskillsinstitute.org/2020-wsi/ I was–at last–able to connect for a debrief with Mr President, or Bill Tickner, after the conclusion of the AT section of his now-completed Triple Crown, which saw him cross the "finish" line at Damascus. Finally today, Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail looks back at the origins of the trail, and the people who made it happen. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We have a story today of a young man who walked away from a life of extreme poverty to find himself (literally) on the Appalachian Trail. Matthew Emerson's story is now a book, and his visceral experiences set the scene for his journey and a new life at the end. Matthew's insights gleaned from his hike resonated with me, and we share a frank discussion for this Thanksgiving Day. You can find Matthew's book on Amazon. Click the picture of the cover and you'll be taken there. Another hiker-turned-author, Ben Crawford, shares why, despite exposing his family to YouTube scrutiny, there is more to tell. Like Matthew's book, you can find Ben's on Amazon by clicking on the book cover. Remember, you can get your own signed copy of Ben's book by answering the question I asked in the podcast. Send your answer to [email protected]. I also mention the magnificent, personalized map of my 2019 hike. You can see my video below and more of Larry Knight's work at redeftmapping.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs2XvoTHrkw Finally, continuing both the book and map theme, Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail talks of another giant map. Once again, find Larry's book at Amazon. (Sorry about the small pic!!) If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Another full show today, with Alan Carpenter taking up long-distance hiking in his 60s and still going today, well into his 70s. Alan's story is a testimony to his persistence, while his joy at the people and sights of the various trails he has done shines through. He does get a little banged up from time to time. In our conversation, you'll hear about how he got his legs into the state you see below. Ouch!! You can learn more about Alan and his hiking at https://longdistanceadventures.com/, while he is also available at https://alantcarpenter.com/. Alan's book about a healthy lifestyle is at https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Better-Live-Healthy-Choices/dp/1734254408/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=choose+better%2C+live+better&qid=1605221852&s=books&sr=1-1 Julie Judkins and I talk about Education and Outreach at the ATC. Julie has shared a document that highlights their JEDI approach!! You can read it here. https://appalachiantrail.org/our-work/about-us/jedi/ I was so struck by the beautiful new medal from Hiker Medals recently and wanted to share it with you all AND get Wim Schalken on the show to tell us about it. He even includes a new discount code!! Go to https://www.hikermedals.com/product-page/2020-medal-free-engraving Larry Luxenberg's "Walking The Appalachian Trail" makes its debut on the show this week. It was written in the 90s and has contemporary stories from the era that offer some interesting counter narratives with some of today's hiking journals. Should be fascinating. If you can't wait for me to read it all, you can buy it from Amazon, here. https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Appalachian-Trail-Larry-Luxenberg/dp/0811730956 If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

It's a slightly shorter show this week, with Laura Sheehan, or Rocket, as our principal guest. Julia was a member of my last AT class; the Class of 2019. We never met on the trail, but I was made aware of the popularity of her YouTube videos. She is a very self-aware hiker, acknowledging the changes she saw in herself, having sold everything to uproot her life and hit the AT in 2019. Like many hikers, she learned to live with less and now uses her YouTube channel to record further adventures and inspire others. You can follow Julia on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/juliasheehan/ and her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/jls935/featured Laura Belleville from the ATC takes on the subject of managing and protecting the AT in times of crisis. As you'll hear, Covid is just one of many issues that qualifies as a crisis. If you'd like to learn about the work that Laura refers to, check out the incident form at https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/report-an-incident/ Learn more about Landscape Conservation and Climate Resiliency at https://appalachiantrail.org/our-work/conservation/landscape/ and https://appalachiantrail.org/register-blog/a-t-volunteers-are-saving-the-world/ Bill Tickner's phone eventually gave up the ghost, so we were unable to record a final catch up, but I will speak with him in next week's show. Finally today, Fozzie's hiking companions–and Fozzie–conclude Balancing on Blue by telling us all about their post-trail direction and the lessons they learned. Remember, you can get a full audio version of Balancing on Blue from Amazon. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week's guest, Dan Schoenthal, is an unlikely thru-hiker. He suffers from Parkinson's Disease and, as you'll learn, he has pushed through this impediment, getting an impressive start on the 2200-mile journey. I spoke with Dan a few weeks ago, and he mentioned a fund-raising effort he was making in conjunction with his hike. That particular fundraiser has now ended, but if you know somebody stricken by the condition and would like to help, here is a link to the Parkinson's Foundation, where you'll find a donate button to make your gift. https://www.parkinson.org/ The ATC's Marian Orlousky surprised me by the breadth of work the ATC undertakes regarding science. As always, you should go to https://appalachiantrail.org/ if you'd like to learn more, though Marian did warn me that some of the links on the program-specific pages aren't working. She did say that the website is in the process of being updated. Mr President is under 100 miles from Damascus. As you'll hear, he is throwing himself into the whole experience in these closing miles; his Halloween costume should give you an idea that it's not all about the miles. Fozzie's Balancing on Blue is nearly over, and this week, the boys reach Katahdin. The full audio version of Balancing on Blue can be found on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Anybody who shared the trail with me last year must have heard of the Purple People. They seemed to be ubiquitous, turning up night after night at hostels, shelters, and homes to play their own music to lighten everybody's lives. The fact that they wore and carried everything in a vibrant lilac color didn't exactly allow them to blend into the crowd. These are two people with a distinct sound, a memorable appearance, and a giving nature. When I was able to interview them for the show, their journey hadn't unfolded as I'd expected it would. Yet it is well worth listening to. If you'd like to find out more about the Purple People, click on some links below. https://www.ilovethemailboxes.com https://www.instagram.com/themailboxes/ https://www.youtube.com/user/themailboxesmusic Extra Links: https://www.facebook.com/themailboxes https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZgpagevHW6qjOL6lQs7jb https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-mailboxes/591571580 Morgan Sommerville was next up for the ATC, with his insights into how the organization is trying to combat overuse on the trail. If you'd like to find out more, click on some links below. Morgan referred to the A.T. Comprehensive Plan, which is the essential A.T. management guidance: https://www.nps.gov/appa/learn/management/upload/CompPlan_web.pdf If you fancy a really deep dive into visitor use management, you should check here: https://visitorusemanagement.nps.gov/ And, ATCamp is where people and groups planning to camp on the A.T. can see if their proposed overnight site has room for them, and where thru-hikers can register the start date of their hike. ATCamp has charts that instantly update with each new registration, that show how many people are planning to camp at a given overnight site, or start a thru-hike on a given day in GA, Baxter, and for flip-flops, thus allowing them to spread out: https://atcamp.org/ Mr President is into the last two weeks of his hike. Unfortunately, I screwed up the audio this week by cutting off the first four or five minutes of our talk. Sorry Bill. Finally, Keith Foskett heads to the end with a virus tracking hikers down. Keith wanted you all to know that the full audiobook of Balancing on Blue is available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

I first met Rob Landry (virtually) when he reached out partway through his 2020 thru-hike attempt. He was thinking about writing the book of hiking during a pandemic and wanted a little publishing advice. So it delighted me to hear from him when he finished his 2020 hike and I invited him on the show. The finish, however, wasn't what I expected, and nor will you. If you'd like to see more of Rob's hike, check out his Instagram account at https://instagram.com/flybynighthike Leanna Joyner is the Program Director for Volunteer Relations and in this week's "Discovering the ATC segment," she shares with us the myriad ways that you can volunteer to help YOUR trail. "Volunteering on the A.T.: From Recreation to Stewardship" is the title they gave me, so I dove in to find out more. If you'd like to help out, go to https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/, and Leanna or one of her colleagues will point you in the right direction. Bill Tickner continues to weave his way south, enjoying every minute as he closes in on his Triple Crown. And Fozzie, in Balancing on Blue, discovers the boundaries he's unable to cross when a member of his tramily requires a somewhat closer inspection than Fozzie is prepared to give. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We've got a bit of a departure from our normal set up today. Instead of a particular hiker, I've got a disparate collection of characters who attended our inaugural Woods Hole Retreat a couple of weekends ago. I've tried to recapture the event by chatting with nearly all the participants and hope that you'll enjoy this one-off change. We covered a four-day weekend, starting with a short hike into Dismal Falls from the Weary Feet Hostel. At the Falls, we camped overnight and shared some tips on overnighting and the various considerations you have to take into account. The following morning, we returned to Weary Feet, then drove to Woods Hole, where everybody joined up and spent Friday till Sunday lunchtime as our own little tramily. Pretty much everybody spoke, and, as you'll hear, the weekend was a great success. Special thanks go to Neville and Bruce for coming up with the idea and implementation and Tina for joining us from the Quarterway Inn. Tina showed off her AT necklace (Below). If you'd like to buy one or see more about them, check out her website shop at https://quarterwayinn.square.site/ You can also find out more about her hostel for a future stay (currently closed) at https://www.quarterwayinn.com/ If you'd like to find out more about Woods Hole, go to http://woodsholehostel.com/ and to learn more about Weary Feet, go to https://wearyfeethostel.com/ I've got Bill Tickner (Mr President) again as he pushes into his last state, Virginia. Also this week, Andrew Downs, Senior Regional Director for ATC in Virginia, kicks off our new segment of conversations with the ATC. This week, the subject is "Thru-Hiking to ATC Staff: How Has My Perspective Changed after my Thru-Hike?" Because of the length of this show, we're not including the latest episode of Fozzie's Balancing on Blue. That will be next week. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

We have another of our vintage hikers on the show today. Pat Stith didn't get started with his hiking until he was in his early 60s, yet he's certainly made up for lost time in the interim. Now 78, Pat goes through his various adventures with Steve, including his Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2015 when he was into his 70s. Pat loves the people he meets even more than the hiking and mentions friendships that have survived the trail with far younger hikers. His blog, at http://patstith.com/ is full of the wisdom of age and the experience of a trail shared. Bill Tickner catches up with Steve after two weeks and is into his final state; Virginia. He reflects on the many places he's seen in this past couple of weeks. With Damascus as his goal to complete his Triple Crown, we only have Bill for a few more weeks. In his book, Balancing on Blue, Fozzie passes through the New York Zoo that is part of the trail, with thoughts of freeing a caged fox that he sees there. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

Another couple of 2020 Appalachian Trail thru-hikers this week, with Briana and Cambyr Sullivan, a mother and daughter duo who recently completed the trail. Significantly, Cambyr turned 14 on the trail and, as you'll hear, she has a remarkably mature view of the magic of the trail. One of the many wonderful things about their story is that their relationship shifted during the hike, with shared responsibilities and goals altering their familial dynamic. Their story is inspirational, so much so that the two of them appeared on the Drew Barrymore TV show the day after they spoke with me. Hopefully, I didn't ruin them for Drew!! Find out for yourself by clicking here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtN5vjn2wCU&app=desktop I highly recommend Briana's blog at https://naturespirit.me/AT/ and you can connect with her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brianamsully/ No Bill Tickner this week as we were unable to connect in time before I went away for a few days. Bill will be back next week. Keith Foskett's Balancing on Blue delves into the nether regions this week. Don't say I didn't warn you!! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.