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

Latest Episodes:

Episode #330 - Amber and Josh Niven (Dandelion and Still Don't) Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Amber and Joshua Niven were next to me in the Author's Tent at Trail Days, and I asked them to come on the show when I heard their great stories of having separately hiked the AT before meeting one another at Trail Days.

They have experienced the trail differently, so their book is a product and amalgamation of those experiences. It is a true coffee-table book that you can pick up and open anywhere; there'll always be something of interest to read, or to see.

If you'd like to learn more about them and their book, you can find them on these sites. http://Www.discoveringtheat.com

http://Www.joshuaniven.com

http://Www.AmberAdamsNiven.com

Also, if you're in the vicinity of Hot Springs on August 13, why not drop into Big Pillow Brewing to meet them at the official launch of their book? http://www.thru-at.com/events/launch%20party

One of the members of our Class of 22 still heading north, Sarah "Sunny" Landis, has reached Vermont and continues to have a blast. We caught up with her at Manchester Center on a zero day.

Katie Westling was on MacAfee Knob when I called her. Check out the photo she'll be looking at for the rest of her life. Epic!!

George Steffanos has really been putting himself through it and, just when he was on the verge of quitting, he found the best medicine.

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 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.

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 #329 - Emily Leonard (Black Bear) Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

I met Emily Leonard and her husband Bruce at the Author's Tent at Trail Days in Damascus early this year. Not only does Emily write about her AT hikes, but she also has terrific stories to share about them. Like me, she has completed two Appalachian Trail thru-hikes and has now written about the first one. She also produced a children's book that will introduce a whole new generation to the trail.

Additionally, Emily was featured quite prominently in the AT documentary, Walking Home. You can check that out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4TWPbBlf70

If you'd like to learn more about Emily and her adventures, or buy her books, visit her website at https://www.emilysescapades.com/. You can also see all her books on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Emily-M-Leonard/e/B08JMCXGL3?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1656540614&sr=8-1

Follow Emily on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/emilysescapades/

and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Emily-M-Leonard-109205634573859

Also this week, we caught up with Dom Tammaro from the Mighty Blue Class of 2022. He has just finished the Virginia Triple Crown and sent me his pic at the iconic MacAfee Knob (below).

And Katie Westling is approaching that Triple Crown. We heard from her as she was on her way to Pearisburg. Perhaps next week we'll have her MacAfee Knob pic.

I also heard from George Steffanos this week, with the exciting news that he has documented his own 1983 AT thru-hike in pictures. I'll continue to share his website below but, in case you missed it, check out his awesome scanned slides from 40 years ago. You WON'T be disappointed. https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/places-i-ve-been

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 #328 - Kayla and Ken Bold (Nugs and Kenbo) Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Father and daughter hiking partners, Kayla and Ken Bold, came to the Appalachian Trail with Ken originally intending to hike just a section in support of his daughter. As often happens, those plans changed, and they headed north together as a team.

Each learned something about the other, with their familial bond strengthened along the way.

You can follow Nugs on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kayla.bold/

Our two catch-ups this week are with Trumpet and his dog FrankE, as well as with Katie Westling, who is filling in the miles she missed in her thru-hike attempt last year.

I mentioned our other shows on the podcast today, so here are the links you'll need to find each of them going forward.

Mighty Blue: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/

Trail Dames: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/the-trail-dames-podcast/

Jester Section Hiker: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/jester-section-hiker/

Hiking Unfiltered: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/hiking-unfiltered/

Returning to Katahdin: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/returning-to-katahdin-an-appalachian-trail-dream/

JR Hikes the Appalachian Trail: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/jr-hikes-the-appalachian-trail/

Dixie LIVE on the Continental Dive Trail: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/dixie-live-on-the-continental-divide-trail/

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 #327 - Jeff Hayes (Speedo) Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

This week, we have a first for the podcast. Initially, our principal guest, Jeff Hays, lays out his views on why the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail should move to Alabama. As Jeff says, "Why not Alabama?"

Then, Jeff and Nathan Wright debate the issue as they see it. They keep it respectful and agree far more than they disagree. At the end, I weigh in with my opinion. I hope you all learn something from this discussion.

You can learn more about the issues at stake by visiting Jeff's site, where he promotes building an entirely new trail. It is at https://www.at2al.net/

Jeff also offers the following site, which argues for using existing trails. That is at https://at2al.com/

You can find Jeff's hostel at https://www.nextstephostel.net/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NextStepHostel/

In between Jeff's chat with me and the subsequent debate, I caught up with Katie Westling, as she has now returned to the AT to continue her quest to complete her thru-hike.

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 #326 - Ian and Eve Alderman (Our Spectrum Adventures) Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

Today, we have Ian Alderman on the show. Ian and his daughter, Eve, are hiking the entire length of Britain. While it isn't a super long hike, it is still over a thousand miles and there is very little in the way of a defined path. The West Highland Way WAS a path that made it a little easier for them and that's where I found them.

What's remarkable about these two, though, is that both Ian and his daughter are autistic. Ian and his wife Sarah have determined that they don't intend for Eve to be handicapped by autism, so they are giving her an adventure that, in itself, is spawning other ideas for further adventures.

You can check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ourspectrumadventures

If you'd like to offer some support, you can do so here. https://www.gofundme.com/f/eve-and-ian-john-o-groats-to-lands-end

Dom Tamarro has taken a few days off the trail to return home for a graduation, yet he's now past 500 miles and loving it. By the time you listen to today's show, he'll be back at it.

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 #325 - Dennis Pack (Bookworm) Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Dennis Pack is nearer my generation of hikers, and this week he shares the story of his 2021 flip flop. He's a great believer in serendipity and enjoyed the way in which things just "happen" out there on the trail.

He has a well-grounded, gentle wisdom, some of which he learned on the trail, though much of it he clearly accumulated over his 60 years. His cousin had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and, not knowing much about this, he learned what he could and shared it on the trail. If you'd like to read Dennis's journal, you can find it at https://www.trailjournals.com/journal/24090

You can also follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Hikingforlewy

If you'd like to learn more about Lewy Body Dementia, check out these two links: https://www.lbda.org/ and https://dementiaspotlightfoundation.org

Our Mighty Blue Class of 2022 is thinning out fairly rapidly, and this week, we hear the diverging fortunes of Sarah Landis and Brittaney Allvord.

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 #324 - Natisha Webb (Calypso) May 26, 2022

Show notes

Natisha Webb wrote to me recently about my West Highland Way trip, telling me she'd already booked to go on the same hike next year. We corresponded, and it turns out that she also thru-hiked the AT in 2021, having been "Covided" off in 2020.

Naturally, I wanted her to tell her story, and she agreed to come on the show. As you'll hear, she is a pragmatic woman, making sensible decisions when decisions are required.

If you'd like to learn more about Natisha and her hiking, and van, life, check out her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/calypso_chronicles/. Additionally, you can check out at her YouTube page at https://youtube.com/user/uglybarnicle

We caught up with two of our Class of 2022 this week, neither of whom is actually on the trail right now!

Katie Westling, who we followed in 2021, is heading back to the Appalachian Trail in early June to complete the last 500 or so miles of her hike. She tells us her plans.

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 #323 - Nathan and Kimm Wright (Switchback and Crewhiker) May 19, 2022

Show notes

Today, we have Nathan and Kimm Wright, from the Pinhoti Outdoor Center. I met them both at Trail Days this past weekend, and we got into a discussion on the benefits–or otherwise–of relocating the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail to Alabama, using the Pinhoti Trail to effect that change.

This is a controversial subject that Nathan and Kimm are well-versed in. Indeed, Nimblewill Nomad, who was with the two of them at Trail Days, got particularly het up over the subject. We'll let you decide. Listen to the two of them, then read the article below by Nimblewill, and, if you're convinced, why not sign their petition on change.org?

https://nimblewillnomad.com/2022/02/24/pt-bmt-at-let-em-be/

https://www.change.org/p/do-not-move-the-appalachian-trail-terminus

They also talked about the Pinhoti Trail "Kick Off," later in the year. You can check that out at https://www.facebook.com/events/1437834616634802

Some of the surviving members of the Mighty Blue Class of 2022 report in, with Dom Tammaro and Dan Whitesides giving their progress reports.

From an old friend of the show, JC Van Etten, or Catmando, I got a call yesterday morning and he sent me some spectacular pictures ofrom the summit of Mt Whitney. It was great to hear from me, as well as a reminder that I'll be pushing for Whitney later this year.

Finally, the rest of the first chapter of George Steffanos's "Then the Hail Came."

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 #322 - Chris Veasey (Idaho Bones) May 12, 2022

Show notes

Our guest today is from the AT Class of 2017. His name is Chris Veasey, and we share an open chat about his experiences on the trail. He flip-flopped, heading north from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin, then south to Springer. His northern section was spent with a tramily, while he was largely solo in the south. We discuss the differences between both sections.

Chris has written a book about his adventures and has put up a Kickstarter for those who would like to support his efforts to publish his book. You can support that here. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readuncivilized/uncivilized

He can also be found on social media at https://www.facebook.com/chris.veasey.9 and https://www.instagram.com/thats1ezvz/

We catch up with some of the surviving members of our Mighty Blue Class of 2022, with Sarah Landis loving her time on the trail.

Kera, Ryan, and Brittaney–while definitely loving the trail–have experienced both the highs and lows of trail life.

Finally, I'm reading the first part of George Steffanos's book, "Then The Hail Came." 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.

Episode #321 - Brian Anderson (The Tick Terminator) May 05, 2022

Show notes

This week, we have the aptly named Tick Terminator, otherwise known as Brian Anderson. Brian has had a fascination with ticks–and how to terminate them–for over ten years. He has advised companies on how to deal with their outdoor employees, suggesting best practice to keep them from contracting Lyme and other diseases.

Today, he's offering advice to hikers and backpackers. He does this in a fun, informative way, and I think we hit all the important points.

If you'd like to learn more, Brian's website is https://www.thetickterminator.com, while he can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lymetick/

We caught up with another two of our Mighty Blue Class of 22. This time, Dom Tammaro tells us of his rattle snake encounter AND his new trail name, while Joanne Birditt has eventually called a halt to her hike. Her smiling face on the show told me that it was the right decision.

Finally today, we have the Prologue of our new book. This was formerly a blog post, and I recently received permission to read it from George Steffanos, the writer. You can read more about George and his book at his website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/, as well as buy his book from 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.

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