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

Latest Episodes:

Episode #349 - Lauren Adamczak (Airbag) Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest, Lauren Adamczak, described herself as "the quiet 30-year-old that never spoke up in groups, often looked down at the ground in public, and wouldn't dare leave the house in mismatched clothes." Four days into the trail, she accepted–with glee–the trail name, Airbag. When I read a post she made on Facebook, I knew I wanted her on the show.

Lauren didn't make it to the brown sign on Katahdin, but she had an adventure that energized and enhanced her life, taking on "Airbag" with such positivity that I wondered through our conversation whether it was Lauren or Airbag with whom I was talking.

You can follow Lauren on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lauren.the.airbag/

Steve Kortekamp is our third member of the Mighty Blue Class of 2023. Steve is a retired firefighter, and first saw the trail in the 60s, on Clingman's Dome, with his father. He'll be carrying the picture from that day (below) with him as he hikes the trail next year.

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

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 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 #348 - Stuart Phelps (Puppy Love) Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Stuart Phelps, or Puppy Love, is our guest this week. Stuart had set himself a goal to thru-hike the trail when he turned 50, yet, as often happens, the window opened a little earlier and he set out in 2021, turning 48 on the trail.

His story is a mixture of fun, mutual respect, love, and illness, and makes for a fascinating conversation. Wait until you hear how his first date with his girlfriend went!!

You can follow Stuart's blog at https://stuhikes.com/blog/, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stuphelps/.

This week's member of the Mighty Blue Class of 2023 features Betty McEnaney. Betty was a trail angel for our own Katie Westling last year and they took this selfie together.

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 #347 - Syd Sayward (Bug) Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

Today's show features a recently successful thru-hiker, and the first of our Mighty Blue Class of 2023. Syd Sayward has wanted to complete the AT since, as a 15-year-old, her athletics coach took her and some school friends up Mt. Washington.

The experience stayed with Syd, and she started preparing for what she knew would be an AT attempt at some future date. That turned out to be 2022, and Syd shares her story.

Syd kept a blog while she was out on the trail. You can check it out here. https://sydoutside.wordpress.com/

Erin Conrad wrote a long email to me to share her backstory regarding her own upcoming AT thru-hike, and she is the first member of our Mighty Blue Class of 2022. Oh yes, and she's taking her Mom with her!!

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 #346 - Mike Current (Energizer) Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest was a guest on the show at the beginning of 2021, sharing his stories about his PCT thru-hike. He never expected to go again–even though his wife always knew that he would–but there's something about the Appalachian Trail that was drawing him in. He didn't know what it was, but he discovered his "why?" on the trail.

Mike, as an ex-military man, is an extremely detailed planner. He shares much of his planning and actual hikes at his YouTube channel, Old Man and the AT, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUjqg7BI_TE-D_O45GapBzw

Three particular videos outline his process.

For Mental Preparation, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWhzYl2zyNY&list=PLymdJYfEjLcPtz0KreGQl7BkNnMV4Z-Z6&index=6

For Physical Preparation, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWhzYl2zyNY&list=PLymdJYfEjLcPtz0KreGQl7BkNnMV4Z-Z6&index=6

and for Weight Matters, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPQ0oEf0_rQ&list=PLymdJYfEjLcPtz0KreGQl7BkNnMV4Z-Z6&index=8

We were unable to bring you the Two Jenns from the Maine Roadhouse last week, but we worked it out this week, so they are on to share with you all about their new life as hostel owners in Maine. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheMaineRoadhouse and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themaineroadhouse/

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 #345 - Tonya Lonsbury (Monarch) Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest recently completed her AT thru-hike and, joyous as she is, she and Steve get into a conversation that celebrates the joy, but also delves into some of the more difficult, but ultimately triumphant, aspects of her journey and life.

Tonya shares her faith with us and the important role it played in her ability to get to the end of her hike.

You can follow more of Tonya's journey(S) on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/c/travelingwithtonya

on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/travelingwithtonya

and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/travelingwithtonya

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 #344 - Kristi McLeod Fondren (HQtie) Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

Dr Kristi McLeod Fondren joins us today to bring an academic's view on hiking. Kristi hiked the PCT over the last couple of years and has combined that love of the outdoors with her work as a Professor at Marshall University. She has some great insights that she shares with us, as well as her deeply personal story.

You can find out more about Kristi from her two journals from 2021 and 2022. They are at http://www.trailjournals.com/HQtieandTurkeyB for the 2021 hike and at http://www.trailjournals.com/HQtie for the 2022 hike

She also referred to the First Descents Program, which you can learn about at http://www.firstdescents.org

And the book that she published of her dissertation is at https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/walking-on-the-wild-side/9780813571881

Also on today was Rebecca James who, along with her son Brad, owns the Burke's Garden Hostel. You can check that out at https://www.burkesgardenhostel.com/, though, check out this glorious drone pic of their place. Beautiful.

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 #343 - Andy Hood Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest, Andy Hood, isn't a hiker. He's a runner, but the story of his recent journey parallels that of many long-distance hikers. It is his backstory that attracted my attention, as well as offering me a chance to introduce you all to a different hiking trail; in England, no less!!

Andy talks movingly about wanting to do something to empathize with his mother's plight and, in going so, he finds out much about himself and others. He also tells us about an often overlooked part of self-care.

You can find out more about Andy and his journey on his blog at http://www.runningwestwardho.co.uk/. He also posted on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/runningwestwardho.

If you'd like to learn more about the path itself as a potential hike, go to http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/. And, of course, to learn more about self-care for guys, head to http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/testicular-cancer/how-to-check.

A last minute guest this week, in our hostels section, was Dave, from Mountain Harbour Bed & Breakfast, in Roan Mountain. You can find out more about this top-notch hostel at their excellent website, at https://www.mountainharbour.info/.

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.

You can 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 #342 - Hunter Rud (Hunter) Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

We have another recent thru-hiker today. He is Hunter Rud and, when you hear his story, the Appalachian Trail wasn't on his radar until very recently. But, like many others before him, he became more absorbed by the prospect of hiking it the more he researched.

It wasn't all sunshine and roses for Hunter when he was out there this year, yet the support and encouragement he received from his entire family–including the latest weather forecasts from his uncle–got him to his Katahdin moment. You'll be impressed by him, as I was.

You can check out a couple of his pictures on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hunterrud3/

A new mid-section of the show for October will focus on hostels along the trail. This week, my friend, Dianne Seger, or Lady Di, talks to me about her decision to start a hostel in Damascus after her 2019 thru-hike. Her website is at https://www.ladydibnb.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. 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 #341 - Julieann Hartley (Squirt) Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

Julieann Hartley is today's guest. She hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015 and transformed her life. She articulates this so beautifully in our conversation, and you may be a little confused about why we laugh so much while discussing difficult topics. Yet her positivity is what pulled her through both the hike and her subsequent life.

Check her out at Instagram and TikTok, and even on Spotify at the links below.

https://www.instagram.com/missjulieannmusic/

https://www.tiktok.com/@missjulieannmusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckQrLoxKGRGQ5AfPPMflf

We also hear how Dan Whitesides, or Trumpet, ended his AT hike with FrankE, his faithful companion.

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 #340 - TSX Challenge (Part 2) Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

This week, we have the second and concluding part of my recent 75 mile TSX Challenge hike in California, taking in Mt Whitney as its main highlight.

As many of you know, I've often spoken of my inability to hike at altitude. In this hike, I discovered that it was more about my attitude than the altitude.

We covered the first three days of the hike last week. Today, we've got contributions from other hikers, as well as my own experience of those last five days. It was epic!!

You can learn more about this and other hikes at https://tsxchallenge.com/

If you're interested in coming to our upcoming Woods Hole Weekend in early October, check out the Woods Hole site at https://woodsholehostel.com/things-to-do/the-woods-hole-weekend/ and read about what we'll be covering over those three days.

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.

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