Welcome to Episode 211 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, Shawn Connolly — better known as thelongislandhiker — joins us to talk about taking the leap and hiking the Appalachian Trail. We dig into the full experience: the highs, the lows, the gear, and the mindset it takes to finally say “screw it” and just go. We also get into a head-scratching story about a hiker who somehow managed to need two rescues in under a year in the Adirondacks, and we wrap things up closer to home with a chat about new trail developments at Ahokan High Point. Equal parts inspiration, reality check, and classic trail talk.

Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!

Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membership

Thanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summit

Links: Rangers Interview, AT trail information, Far Out App, 

Volunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ 

Post Hike Brews and Bites -  Any Local Brewery

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