We have a German hiker on the podcast this week. Annika Ananias recently flew into the US to hike the Arizona Trail with her American boyfriend, when she was pulled out of line, harshly interrogated, deported, and banned from re-entering the country for five years. This, despite having a ten-year visa. She has a compelling story.

I wanted to hear from Annika in her own words. The Trek wrote a great article about her that left me with a few questions I wanted to clear up with her. As you’ll hear, she is articulate and tells her alarming story with clarity.

These links will tell you more of the story and, if you’re able to read German or you can get it translated, at the end of the list is an article she wrote to warn fellow European hikers of the situation they may face in the US.

Annika Ananias / "Ravenclaw", Author at The Trek

German Thru-Hiker Detained, Deported, and Banned From US - The Trek

Einreise in die USA: Warum ein Visum keine Garantie ist und wie ihr euch vorbereiten solltet - Weltwanderin

Both of our Mighty Blue Class of 2025 are now on trail. Beth saet out this past week, and we catch up with her and her stepson, Andrew, at Woody Gap, with their first impressions.

Dave is now into Hot Springs, some 275 miles ahead of Beth, and he is zeroing there to give back to the local community by spending in local businesses.

I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I’ve been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don’t forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you’ll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I’m sure several of you say, “I could do that. I’ve got an awesome story to tell.” You’re the person we need to hear from. If you’d like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I’ll be in touch. Come on the show!

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