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

Latest Episodes:

Episode #210 - Aaron and BG Turner PLUS Heather "Brave" Sloan Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

This is a special show that takes in the Corona Virus and its implications for hikers, as well as a father and son pair of pastors preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail.

First, we have Aaron and BG Turner, two men ready for the adventure of their life, yet torn with doubt over the advisability of the hike. This situation is changing so quickly that I thought it was important to not only hear from Aaron and BG, but it was also important to get an expert on the show to help us in our deliberations regarding this outbreak.

Heather "Brave" Sloan is a public health educator and gives us up-to-the-minute advice on what we should be considering. She may well be needed on the show in a week or so for further updates. You can check out Heather's Facebook page if you'd like to learn more about staying healthy on the trail. https://www.facebook.com/stayinghealthyontheappalachiantrail/

Kate Stillwell continues to count down to her own AT flip flop, though that decision is similarly conflicting her.

And Grandma Gatewood reaches Damascus, with the whole of America in a road-building frenzy.

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.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

Episode #209 - Paul Stutzman (Apostle) Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

This week, now that we've finished reading his book Hiking Through, Paul Stutzman shares with us his hiking and personal journeys. We've learned about his AT trip and I wanted to know what happened after he stepped off the trail.

Like his books, Paul is funny, perceptive, and occasionally serious. If you'd like to learn more about Paul or buy some of his books, you can visit his website at http://paulstutzman.com/

We also chat again with Kate Stillwell, our Woman of a Certain Age. Kate is using her 2017 experience on the trail with her daughter to dial in her gear. With less than three weeks to go, Kate's journey is nearly upon us.

Finally, in Grandma Gatewood's Walk, Emma's sometimes brutal early life is juxtaposed against the freedom of her hike.

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

Episode #208 - Chloë de Camara (Vulture) Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

We first met Chloë de Camara a few weeks ago on the show, informing us about the critical Leave No Trace principles and, in a follow-up conversation, it was clear that Chloë had her own Appalachian Trail story about her trek in 2015.

She was very intentional about how she came to the trail, writing a thesis about Appalachian Trail thru-hiking as a spiritual experience and volunteering for the ATC. As you'll hear, meeting the inspirational Jennifer Pharr Davis was a great motivator for her own journey.

If you'd like to see more of what Chloë does, click on this link to the ATC's Start Smart program https://youtu.be/J_-evEG3fFg

Also today, we have the start of a new series; A Woman of a Certain Age, where Kate Stillwell prepares for and then attempts a thru-hike of the AT from April 1. In this episode, Steve and Kate talk, along with Kate's daughter Alexa, or Tinkerbell.

Our new book, Grandma Gatewood's Walk, by Ben Montgomery, teaches us more about the harshness of Emma's life and the early days of her epic journey.

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

Episode #207 - Aaron Owens Mayhew (Sling) Feb 27, 2020

Show notes

Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN, CD is a registered dietitian, ultralight long-distance backpacker, and backpacking food cookbook author. Aaron has worked in the field of nutrition for nineteen years and has been a backpacker for nearly as long. After having a mid-life crisis in 2016, Aaron began long-distance backpacking on her 40th birthday by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

She has since launched her business, Backcountry Foodie™, a recipe and meal-planning service for backpackers. The service provides a platform for Aaron to share her knowledge and passion for eating well in the backcountry. She also runs her business and lives in a camper van full-time with her husband and dog. They have been on the road since April 2019 and look forward to where their outdoor adventures will continue to take them.

You can learn more about Aaron, and her advice, at her website https://backcountryfoodie.com/

You can also find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_foodie/

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/backcountryfoodie/

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUpLNV2Ct1WQWZHhSF3eCw

Also today, we have the first chapter of Ben Montgomery's book about the first badass woman on the trail; Grandma Gatewood. If you'd like to buy the book, follow this link. https://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Gatewoods-Walk-Inspiring-Appalachian-ebook/dp/B00IQY2Q0O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F2GUEOT90P8Y&keywords=grandma+gatewoods+walk&qid=1582740316&sprefix=grandma+gate%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1

Remember to show your support for the show by donating on our podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Episode #206 - Brant Bazner (Brant and Garvey) Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Our guest today, Brant Bazner, lives in the iconic trail town of Damascus. He moved there to be near the trail and has now been hiking on the AT for several years, mainly with his dog, Garvey.

Steve and Brant have a wide-ranging conversation about hiking on the trail with a dog, along with a discussion on gear and a few of Brant's stories about his years of hiking on the AT.

You can catch up with Brant at Garvey on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYX2u59E9uxUD92oFVKdZeg

We also have Chloe Decamera from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on the show, talking about Leave No Trace principles as the hiking season warms up. Chloe has a wealth of information and clearly articulates what you need to know when you take to a trail near you.

Chloe has shared several excellent links as you prepare for the trail. We talk about "Don't be that guy" on the podcast, so check out these links

Don't Be That Guy:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuekIhaoBuWaLCkXWvhdoFy8ag5sGOLxt

Thru-Hiker Registration (AT Camp) Link:

https://atcamp.org/

A.T. L.N.T. Online Awareness Course:

http://atc-training.org/lnt/

A.T. Recommended Food Storage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6LnIl-Gt8U&feature=youtu.be

In today's show, I also mention an email I had from a listener, Frances Youngblood, drawing my attention to an event happening in Lebanon, MO on April 25th. On that Saturday Frances' friend, Tracey Sheets, will be holding a program to introduce foster children (ages 14-20) to the outdoors.

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. We're trying to get new or gently used hiking books into the hands of these youngsters and, if you can help, please sign them on the inside, telling who you are and where you're from so that these young people have some connection to you and to the great outdoors. Please mail them to Tracey Sheets, PO Box 751, Ozark, MO 65721. Thanks for your help.

Finally, Paul Stutzman's epic journey comes to an end as he stands on top of Katahdin. It's been a blast.

Episode #205 - Derick Lugo (Mr Fabulous) Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

It's a fabulous show this week, not least because we have Mr. Fabulous, or Derick Lugo, as the main guest. Derick hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2012 and has earned himself a reputation as a speaker about the trail, as well as a growing recognition as a writer. His new book, The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, is now available at his website and on Amazon.

You can connect with Derick in a variety of ways.

Website: https://www.dericklugo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derick.lugo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dericklugo/

The short story of his hike with his brother–The Trail Brothers–can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR21w5qi-B8

Another fabulous guest is April Mae, who Steve spoke with following a post that she made on Facebook. Her story is illuminating and inspiring. The pictures below show April's "Before" and "After" pics. Her story is a testimony to the power of hiking and its beneficial effects upon both the body and the psyche.

Don't forget to check out our sponsors, Hiker Medals, at https://www.hikermedals.com/. We've been delighted to have had them on the show these past few weeks.

Also, if you'd like to support the various shows on the Hiking Radio Network, you can find the donate button at the podcasts page on the Mighty Blue site: https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Finally, today, Paul Stutzman stands on the edge of glory, tackling the 100-Mile Wilderness as he prepares for Katahdin.

Episode #204 - Rory Anderson (Bigfoot) Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

A packed show this week, with about 90 minutes of goodness!!

Rory Anderson, or Bigfoot, is this week's main guest. Rory is an accomplished hiker, having completed the Appalachian Trail in 2016. He has done several other trails and recently broke the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Superior Hiking Trail. As Rory stresses, he's not superhuman; he's just a very determined guy with a plan. He and Steve talk about ultra-lite backpacking and the never-ending quest to shave off a few extra pounds from your pack.

You can follow Bigfoot's YouTube channel, called Follow Bigfoot, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkA3z-lSyEg6ZN-BqMy6wow

For his FKT Superior Hiking Trail video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKjmG0QkGTs

His FKT gear list is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B-Je29UhWI

In this podcast, Rory also talks about his passion for Halloween and shares a video of his 2019 haunt at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_B-cvQ5mik It is well worth watching!!

Steve also chats with Wim Schalken of Hiker Medals, the sponsor for today's show. You can find out more about Wim's awesome project at https://www.hikermedals.com/

Paul Stream, of The Barn in Gorham, tells us about his hostel in Maine, which you can find at https://www.libbyhouseinn.com/

In Steve's reading of Paul Stutzman's Hiking Through, Paul has an unlikely encounter....with a giant rabbit!!

Episode #203 - Neville Harris of Woods Hole Hostel Jan 30, 2020

Show notes

We're almost at the end of my series on hostels, so Neville Harris, the owner of my favorite hostel on the trail, Woods Hole, was a great person to chat with. The interview took me in an entirely unexpected direction, but it revealed Neville to be a true AT character, flaws and all.

You can learn more about the hostel by visiting http://woodsholehostel.com/

Neville's photos by Lisa VonLuehrte. Find Lisa on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/livonphotography/

We also spoke with Matthew "Odie" Norman in advance of the publication of his much-awaited Hiker Year Book for 2019. It is particularly much-awaited by yours truly, as I'll be in it, having missed out on the 2014 edition!!

Check out Odie's page at https://hikeryearbook.com/

And we introduced you to Hiker Medals, who you can learn about at https://www.hikermedals.com/. Thanks so much for the support, guys. Check out my own medal, below.

Finally, Paul Stutzman has reached the last two states, normally the crowning glory of a northbound hike. Yet Paul's experience turned out to be a very soggy time indeed.

Episode #202 - Silvia Cassano (Momma Sil) Jan 23, 2020

Show notes

This interview with Silvia Cassano was recorded nearly a year ago, but I've only just recovered it. Silvia is a "Trail Angel" referred to by a previous guest, yet she has so much more to offer than that. Her knowledge of all things trail shines through here, with her many positions within the AT community contributing, particularly to the trail in her own community.

Image courtesy of Jeff Yardis.

Silvia admits to being opinionated, so her views on the trail are pretty much unvarnished and welcome at this time. She is passionate about the true meaning of Trail Magic and isn't a big fan of hiker feeds, with Leave No Trace principles uppermost in her mind.

The Vermont theme is continued by a conversation with Jess Treat, a woman in whose home I have now stayed twice, both on my 2014 thru-hike and my hike last year. Jess tells us about her home and the service that she offers hikers seeking some warmth and comfort on the trail.

Finally, Paul Stutzman is on the verge of New Hampshire–also in Vermont!!

Episode #201 - Craig Mains (Hawk) Jan 16, 2020

Show notes

Another great show today, with a guy who is clearly in love with hiking and particularly the Appalachian Trail. Craig "Hawk" Mains has been this way before but, with his THIRD thru-hike, he was going for something really special. Listen to how it all unfolded, with not only his epic hike but also several personal events that deeply affected him.

Craig has a YouTube channel that you can visit to learn more about his adventures, past, present, and future. Go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEsauJnA_OgXuilWtEXGQKg and catch up with him.

Tracey "Zoom Zoom" Davis-Witmyer reached out to me and I immediately asked her on the show. Tracey is one of that special breed; a trail maintainer. Even more importantly, she represents a younger generation than my own that the trail so sorely needs if our trails are to be sustained in the future. You can see more of Tracey's adventures on her YouTube site at this link. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqBSuze0_yVJc3Yyz7LIviQ/featured

You can also follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Adventure-349950165693712/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoomzoom497/

If you'd like to learn more about trail maintenance, go to www.appalachiantrail.org and choose a trail club near you.

Don't forget to support the show by clicking on the donate button on this link www.mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Finally, Paul Stutzman finally understands why he is hiking the trail. The revelation is stunning.

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