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

Latest Episodes:

Episode #409 - Alyssa Whoaa (Rainbow Brite) Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

The uniquely named Alyssa Whoaa is our main guest today. She came to me as a member of the TSX team and she is widely experienced in a variety of different adventures that have taken in many countries and even led her to the South Pole, with the North Pole her next great adventure.

Alyssa has shared several links that may be of interest to listeners having heard her on the podcast. As she says, they are links to "interesting things."

Jobs in the US antarctic program (USAP): The USAP Portal: Science and Support in Antarctica - Jobs and Opportunities

'ai pono hawaii, residential eating disorder treatment facility that i work for (eating disorder coaching is separate from 'ai pono): Residential Eating Disorder Treatment Center

TSX website: TSX Challenge - Guided Backpacking Challenges

Northwinds expeditions, polar trainings in Baffin island: NorthWinds - Northwinds Expeditions

Ventiventiventi project (haven't mentioned this yet, but it's a project I'm supporting in the spring: The Project | Venti Venti Venti

Joanne has had a couple of months to reflect upon her own epic hiking year, and we catch up with her today on the show. The memories are all about "the people."

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show!

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 it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Additionally, we accept Venmo and Zelle through steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Any support is gratefully received.

You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/, or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Episode #408 - Olive McGloin and Darrell Johnson (Raindance and The Chimp) Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Olive McGloin and Darrell Johnson don't seem content with straightforward thru-hikes, they tend to go for the YOYO. That is: they turn around and head back the way they've come to complete double thrus in a season. Olive has YOYO'd the Triple Crown, with Darrell almost complete in that endeavor.

Their remarkable story has, I'm afraid, been beset by some technical difficulties on my part, but their story is so fascinating that I wanted to tell it.

You can follow along with their adventures through Instagram at Instagram (@oudarrell)

Mark Carpenter returns to the show with his reflections on his 2023 thru-hike after the benefit of a couple of months back home.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of Steve's Trail Days book offer (all three of his printed hiking books for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Episode #407 - Jason Tompkins (Out & About) Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Jason Tompkins is a returning guest to the show this week. He was on last year, discussing a new route / trail that he came up with and named "The Carolinian." This week, an AT thru-hike was just part of his 2023 adventure.

He took on the Eastern Continental Trail, stretching from Key West in the south to Newfoundland; an epic, if ever there was one.

Jason didn't share any social links, but check out his YouTube channel at Out & About. It's awesome.

We also caught up once more with Mary Marks, who has had a little time to reflect on what she achieved last year in completing her AT thru-hike as part of the Mighty Blue Class of 2023.

Episode #406 - Sarah Beatrice (Too Long) Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

Sarah Beatrice, a fellow member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2014, is my guest today. Sarah started after me and finished before me, so we may well have met as she cruised past me!

We'll talk about her hike then, of course, but it is her after-hike life that especially interested me, with loads more travel and even a trip to Everest Base Camp.

You can follow Sarah on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sbeatrice13?mibextid=ZbWKwL on Instagram at Instagram (@traveler_sarahb)

and on YouTube at Travel with Sarah B

We saved it until the last show of 2023 to conclude the Mighty Blue Class of 2023, with Jessica Lang-Wright reaching Harpers Ferry, to be greeted by friends and family, as well as one of our listeners who came along to give Jessica a finish she deserved.

If you'd like to find out more about "Then The Hail Came," check out George's website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/. You can also find George's book on Amazon at this link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6.

Episode #405 - Clark L Ward (Wild Coyote) Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Clark L Ward is our guest this week. Clark is a Native American and, while his hike was important to him, it was the story he was sharing with hikers along the way that made his hike so meaningful for him.

Clark carried an orange flag that he got people to pose with at every opportunity along the way. Naturally, it accompanied him to Katahdin. His cause was Every Child Matters and all parents will feel empathy for the children involved. Clark sent me several links–below–that will amplify the message.

Orange Shirt Day link Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad answers kids' questions | CBC Kids News

Phyllis Webstad shares her story & the message that #EveryChildMatters 🧡 #OrangeShirtDay #CBCKids

You can also find Clark on Facebook at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Coyote2010

Jessica's hike is getting to the end (as she heaves a sigh of relief). This week, we talk just 40 miles north of her ultimate destination–her Katahdin–at Harpers Ferry. She's ready to be done and get her reward for the grit and determination she's showed. Can't wait to hear from her at the end.

Episode #404 - Mary Wilson (Shades) Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Mary Wilson is our guest this week and, when you know that her trail name is Shades, the blind hiker, you'll understand what an extraordinary endeavor she took on attempting a thru-hike in 2023. Mary is overwhelmingly positive and looks to the reasons why she can do a thru-hike as opposed to the reasons why, perhaps, she shouldn't.

Family circumstances took her off the trail after more than 600 miles, yet she has pledged to return in 2024 to get the job done. She's a remarkable woman.

You can follow some of Mary's journey on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075877519390 and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/shadesblindhiker/

Jessica is within spitting distance of the end of her own epic journey, with just 100 miles to go, expecting to reach her goal two days before Christmas.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #403 - Lynne Savino (Caboose) Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

We've got our favorite doctor on the show today. Lynne Savino shares with us her recent backpacking medical adventure that she was a part of, taking in the Virginia Triple Crown with a group of fellow doctors.

Lynne's excitement at merely standing on MacAfee Knob–with virtually zero view–provides us with a touching reminder of how important these special moments are.

You can check out the Summer Adventure Camp she refers to in our conversation at https://www.wilderness-adventure.com/ , which she also sent me a link to the rescue gear used in their exercise. https://skedco.com/product/sked-basic-rescue-system-international-orange/ All interesting stuff and the fact that they took in the Virgina Triple Crown over the course of the exercise is an added bonus.

Jessica has been braving the rocks of PA and is now largely through the worst of them as she approaches Port Clinton. She is now under 200 miles from her personal Katahdin in Harpers Ferry, which she aims to reach before Christmas. It's been epic.

Episode #402 - Dan Klaiber (Rockhopper) Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Dan Klaiber is our guest this week and, while he had been planning a PCT thru-hike, Covid threw a wrench in the works and he had to look elsewhere. What he came up with was an epic journey through Britain, linking many established, and several not-so-well established trails to produce his very own long-distance trail.

He's a great planner, so the logistic geeks among you will enjoy reading the document he sent me, as well as his LighterPack link at https://lighterpack.com/r/lel2lg You can check out the full detail of his hike at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PJlXtUQxh54HgubLSA31FK0F4vYKT807?usp=drive_link You can also see more pictures on his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/danklaiber/

When Dan reached the end of his hike, his now-fiancee had commissioned a beautiful memento that will serve as a wonderful reminder of his hike and the start of his new life with Claire.

Jessica has been getting help from our listeners along the way and is now about to enter PA. Just two states to go.

And don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8ImK4qpNc&list=PLu8u88nsJtgWZxT8DLwEW2yXcz4gT6HXs There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #401 - Emily Johnson (Cobweb Rose) Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Another newly minted thru-hiker from the Class of 23 joins us this week. Emily Johnson turned to backpacking when she met a guy who would become her hiking mentor. She found escape in the woods from her stressful job as a young nurse during Covid.

Emily pushed through the horrendous variety of weather that thru-hikers encountered this year, making it to Katahdin in exactly six months.

You can follow Emily at her various social media channels. On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/6821010384580558/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=7430986266916297 , on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cobwebrose_on_the_trail/ and on her YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@cobwebroseonthetrail2447?si=jtwfLSVFnFaFxB-4

We catch up with Jessica as she is trying to race winter and get her own thru-hike wrapped by Christmas. Unfortunately, her partner was at Urgent Care as we spoke.

Don't forget to check out our Woods Hole Weekend videos on our HRN website and on my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@hikingradionetwork . We've opened them up to everybody for free. I hope you get a lot of great advice from them.

Episode #400 - Chris Marshburn (Roll Tide) Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

For our 400th show today, I have Chris Marshburn, or Roll Tide, as my guest. Chris is a phenomenal steward for the trail, having been a Caretaker in New England and, this year, the sole Ridgerunner on the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies.

His generosity of spirit, along with his curious nature, shines through in our conversation; indeed, it was during our recording that I decided he'd be the perfect guest to celebrate this episode milestone.

You can see Chris's awesome photos on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tndefender/ and find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christopher.marshburn?mibextid=9R9pXO

He also provided me with great articles that tell what is involved in being a ridgerunner and a Back Country Caretaker.

https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/ridgerunners-voice-for-the-trail/

https://she-explores.com/freeform/whats-it-like-to-work-in-the-woods/

We had a voicemail from one of our listeners today, with Crystal Glynn sharing a personal Trail Magic experience. I hope that listeners feel similarly inspired to share some of their stories using the microphone at the bottom right-hand corner of our website hikingradionetwork.com

Then, I woke up Jessica Lang-Wright for her to update me on her steady progress as she is now less than 500 miles from the end of her own epic journey.

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