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

Latest Episodes:

Episode #240 - Woods Hole Hostel Retreat Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

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.

Episode #239 - Pat Stith (Lucky) Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

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.

Episode #238 - Briana and Cambyr Sullivan (Chickweed and Kaleidoscope) Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

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!!

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #237 - Bill Tickner (Mr President) Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

Bill Tickner, or Mr. President, is a hiker we've been following for some weeks now. When he wanted to respond to the points made by Sandi Marra from the ATC in last week's show, I realized that it was too good an opportunity to miss, so I turned our expected ten-minute catch up into a full interview about both the 2020 hiker's push back to the ATC and more of his hiking and life journey.

You can find more about Bill's hiking stories at his blog, https://www.wildernesseffect.com

Connect with him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bill.tickner

or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mrpresidenthikes/

In the show, I referred to a hiker I met in 2014, No Pain. He has been missing for nearly a year, so I thought I'd share the poster below in the hope that somebody may recognize him and even know where he is. Please call the numbers on the poster if you know where he can be found.

Instead of Bill in the middle part of this week's show, I caught up with Bounce, who is settling, for the time being, in Rangely.

Finally today, Fozzie is nearer to Katahdin than he is to Springer, always a magical and awe-inspiring moment.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #236 - Sandi Marra (President and CEO of the ATC) Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

This week, we have Sandi Marra on the show. Sandi is the President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and has had to make some tough decisions during the 2020 hiking season. With a longtime love of hiking and volunteerism, Sandi combined both to give most of her life to the Appalachian Trail and its hikers. I wanted to bring her on to the show to find out the thought processes behind the 2020 closures, and she responded with thoughtful and decisive answers.

Typically, her choice of links to share with listeners is illuminating. If you want to find out more about the Conservancy, go to https://appalachiantrail.org/.

If you want to help, either through volunteering with or joining the organization, go to https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/ or https://donate.appalachiantrail.org/default.aspx?tsid=7709.

Mr President is fast discovering the joys of Pennsylvania, delighted that he invested in a fresh pair of shoes before he hit the state. He met up with two old friends and even met a listener.

Fozzie's Balancing on Blue reaches the magnificent Virginia Triple Crown of Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs. He also bumps into a stranger in need and steps up to help.

This week, I got a wonderful surprise in the shape of a beautiful map from a listener, Don Robinson. Listen to how this all developed in the show, but check out https://www.redeftmapping.com/. You won't be disappointed!!

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #235 - Ryan Schlosser (YearBook) Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

I was first contacted by today's guest, Ryan Schlosser, when he was preparing for his 2020 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail earlier this year. Ryan's mother is a friend of my friend and hiking partner, Pat Coate, or Tee Bird. Ryan's hike was a school project (imagine that!!) and he needed to record his progress. Pat thought I might be able to help him and a new podcaster was born.

I listened to his early progress, then stopped getting updates. He went radio silent in response to the growing pandemic. Eventually, when things eased up a little, he was back online and still heading north.

You can learn more about Ryan's story on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walkingtalkingpod

on his website at http://www.ryanschlosser.com/

and at "Walking and Talking: An Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike" wherever you find your podcasts.

Bill Tickner is loving his southbound hike, and he is now through both Connecticut and New York, having savored the delis AND a drive-in movie.

Fozzie is preparing to drive back to Trail Days. First, though, he recalls the story of the Wapiti Shelter.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #234 - Dave Fleischman (J.I.F.) Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

We've got a guy this week who has spent his life hiking and giving back to both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails. Dave Fleischman has spent time over the past 25 years maintaining both trails (mainly the PCT) and has a great insight into the logistics behind some of these extraordinary projects.

He also arranged his work life to facilitate his passion and shares a story about the importance of watching your health on any trail.

I'm sure you'll recognize where he is on our epic main photo and you should watch his video to give you an idea of his '93 PCT thru-hike. https://youtu.be/_iRufREILgM

John Zaccone comes onto the show to talk to us about his popular–and rather addictive–app called Walk The Distance. Listen to John as he tells you how to get the app AND help the ATC.

Mr President, Bill Tickner, introduces us to yet more serendipity and history of the trail. Follow up on this story by clicking this link to learn more about Ned Anderson and the beautiful Brae Burn Farm. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestell_Kipp_Anderson

Finally, Fozzie meets some ponies. No prizes for guessing where!!

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #233 - Sally Brooks (Not Yet) Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

Today we have a comedian, a writer, and a podcaster, but, as you'll learn, she is also an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Sally Brooks has a compelling story that appealed to me the moment we started talking.

She is funny, wry, and observant, all qualities that she probably needs for her day (or night) job of being a professional comedian AND as a podcaster.

You can check out the podcasting and Sally's comedy at http://dumblovepodcast.com

http://sallybrookscomedy.com

Mr. President is in CT and feeling the heat, while his cabin in California is going through much the same thing. Bill's pragmatic approach to that tense situation says a lot of good things about him.

Fozzie has reached the Smokies, always a highlight in the thru-hiking adventure.

Special thanks to Ever Green Adventure Foods for their wonderful support for the past three weeks. They have a great product and a wonderful business ethic that is all about protecting and giving back to the various long-distance hiking trails. Thanks, Toast and Jammz.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #232 - Craig Fowler (Scatman) Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

This week we have a serious overachiever on the show. Craig "Scatman" Fowler finished the Triple Crown of hiking and looked around to find something else.

In particular, he wanted to do something that nobody on earth had ever managed to complete. Once he had become the "One of Seven," his focus shifted to help people celebrate their own uniqueness.

If you'd like to learn more about Craig and his One of Seven Project, go to http://www.oneofsevenproject.com/

Mr President is just short of the Massachusetts border, staying in Bennington, VT. He shares an insight into some fellow SOBOs that had never occurred to me.

Fozzie is approaching the Smokies. As anybody who has ever done the AT, the Smokies have their own way of greeting you!

Thanks to this week's sponsor, Ever Green Adventure Foods. Find out more about them at https://evergreenadventurefoods.com/

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. Click here to donate to the show.

Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #231 - Barney Mann (Scout) Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Another terrific show today, with Barney "Scout" Mann sharing his story as a lifelong hiker, a Triple Crowner, and the Ultimate Trail Angel of the Pacific Crest Trail. He started his journey as a young lad in the High Sierra (picture below) and started his Triple Crown on the PCT–with his wife–on their 30th Wedding Anniversary.

Barney has written a book about that hike, weaving in the stories from not only he and his wife but also of other characters they hiked with. As you can see below, he's changed a bit over the years!!

Order Journeys North https://www.amazon.com/Journeys-North-Pacific-Crest-Trail/dp/1680513214

Visit Scout's Website https://barneyscoutmann.com/

Follow Scout on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/journeys.north/

https://www.facebook.com/barneyscoutmann/

Also this week, Bill Tickner, or Mr. President, joins the show to talk about his SOBO hike that originally started back in 2019.

You can follow Bill's blog at https://www.wildernesseffect.com/

and find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mrpresidenthikes/

And in Balancing on Blue, Fozzie hits Amicalola Falls and the start of his own thru-hike. An immediate problem is establishing his nationality! Get Fozzie's book at Amazon by clicking here

The sponsor for this week's show is Ever Green Adventure Foods. Check them out at https://evergreenadventurefoods.com/ Thanks guys; it means a lot.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button can be found on the Hiking Radio Network site at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-crisis/donate/

Any support is gratefully received.

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