Best selling Author and Long Distance Hiker, Lauralee Bliss, comes on the show to talk about her experiences in the outdoors. She is a 2x AT Thru-hiker and is currently working on her 3rd hike of the Appalachian Trail as a section hike. With over 10,000 miles of hiking, she has many experiences to share with listeners about her time in the outdoors. 

We also talk about the founding of the Shenandoah 500 challenge and some of her favorite parts and moments in Shenandoah National Park.

Lauralee has written 2 books on hiking and is currently working on a memoir about her time as an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner.  She spent 6 years working as a ridgerunner in both Maryland and Virginia, assisting hikers and helping promote leave no trace on the trail. 

She also is a best selling historical fiction novelist who takes inspiration from historical events and her own love of adventure and the outdoors. We chat about her most recent work of fiction which was just released on January 1st titled, "When the Avalanche Roared" which is based on the Wellington, Washington train disaster. 

Connect with Lauralee Bliss:
https://lauraleebliss.com
https://lauraleebliss.com/blissful-hiking-adventures/

Blissful hiking blog - https://blissfulhiking.blogspot.com/

New book
When the Avalanche Roared - https://lauraleebliss.com/books/when-the-avalanche-roared/

Shenandoah 500 - Hike all the trails in Shenandoah National Park
Find out more on the Shenandoah 500 Challenge by joining the Facebook group Shenandoah National Park Hikers
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BVfheYEZ4/


Music clip credit:
"Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Cori is hiking all of the trails in Shenandoah National Park and shares her favorite trail stories as well as some useful tips for those who are looking to recreate in the park. 

We touch on: 

• Research and Prep
• Water Crossings
• Hiking in the dark 
• Wildlife encounters
• Boundary trailhead access 
• Favorite trails
• Park's seasonal amenities and closures

Cori and Lori also compare their experiences so far as they work towards finishing the Shenandoah 500 challenge.

Connect with Cori:
Blog: The Space Between
Facebook: The Space Between Adventures
Instagram: @spacebetweenadventures

Check out the Shenandoah National Park's official hiking pages here

Learn more about park boundary access here

Listen to our previous episode here

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Artist Rosalie Haizlett shares her Tiny Worlds journey in the Appalachian Mountains. We discuss how she started drawing and painting, the healing power of nature and how she finds inspiration on the trail.

Rosalie’s illustration inspired me to pick up painting again when I saw her work in West Virginia.

Check out and purchase her work at
https://rosaliehaizlett.com

You can also follow her on social media @rosaliehaizlett

Order the book

Instagram
Substack 


Music clip credit:
"Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Follow Lori as she takes on the Shenandoah 500 Hiking Challenge of completing all of the trails in Shenandoah National Park. There are over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah and Lori is attempting to hike them all. 

She'll bring you along on hikes to historic landmarks and the remnents of settler homesteads. There will be hikes to the popular and famous trails along with the hidden gems that make one feel as if they are the only one in the park. 

From the 100 plus miles of the Appalachian Trail to the short connector trails, this season will be an adventure full of highs and lows as Lori tackles some of her own hiking insecurities and fears. 

Season 10 will also feature guests and trails both new and familiar to the show. 

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Iron comes on to talk about his new book, "Hike It: An Introduction to Camping, Hiking and Backpacking in the U.S.A."

Taken from book publisher details:
This fully illustrated book is the perfect introduction to enjoying America's great outdoors. Explore 20 National Parks with incredible trails that take you past snow-capped mountains, along stunning coastlines, and through ancient forests, and discover the majesty of nature with glorious artwork throughout. This book is packed with practical information, too.

Young adventurers 7+ will learn about:
• Navigating, and what to do if you get lost
• Essential hiking equipment
• How to leave no trace and protect the environment
• Pooping in the woods!
• Staying safe in the heat, snow, and rain
• Fire safety and setting up camp
• Encountering wildlife and safety
• Locating the North Star and understanding the night sky

Author and internet sensation Iron Tazz offers a wealth of information based on years of experience hiking every kind of trail and from sharing adventures with his own little boy. Full of kid-friendly tips and tricks for enjoying nature, this is the perfect book for learning how to hike your own hike.

National Parks and trails: Olympic National Park; Mount Rainier National Park; Redwood National Park; Death Valley National Park; Yosemite National Park; Acadia National Park; Wind River Range; Sawtooth National Forest; Grand Canyon National Park; Glacier National Park; Arches National Park; Yellowstone National Park; Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Crater Lake National Park; Petrified Forest National Park; Denali National Park and Preserve; Pacific Crest Trail; Appalachian Trail; North Cascades National Park; Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Connect with Iron:
https://www.irontazz.com/

Buy the book (Amazon) 

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Bronwyn comes back on Hike to share her 2023 and 2024 solo hikes on the Great Divide Trail. While injuries and wildfires affected her thru-hike attempts, Bronwyn discusses the rehabilitation and meaning she found on trail. Her positivity in the face of adverse moments and challenges faced both on trail and in life is inspiring.

She shares some of her recent works published and projects she is currently working on.

Follow Bronwyn/Poetic Hiker: @poetichiker

Listen to our prior episodes:
Backpacking Jasper National Park's Tonquin Valley Trail with Bronwyn Preece

Backpacking Mount Robson's Berg Lake Trail with Bronwyn Preece 

Blood Sweat Tears 

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Troy, trail name Tomcat, shares his thru hike of the Colorado Trail with listeners. We go over hike planning logistics, camp sites, water carries, equipment, and much more.

We'll also cover the differences between Collegiate East and Collegiate West and why Troy thinks doing the Collegiate loop would also be a great backpacking trip.

Find Tomcat:
http://www.tomcatsadventures.com/
Facebook page

Check out the Colorado Trail Foundation:
https://coloradotrail.org/trail/

Hurricane Helene Relief:
Links may change or be broken. My best recommendation is to seek out local news and public radio stations in hard hit areas who list vetted organizations. Also there are people needing help in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida too.

Below are just a few ideas...

Western North Carolina:
I personally gave to BeLoved Asheville. However there are many to choose from!

Blue Ridge Public Radio suggestions
Asheville Citizens Times suggestions

Tennessee:
https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/09/30/how-you-can-help-after-severe-flooding-impacts-east-tennessee/

Virginia:
https://engage.vt.edu/hurricane_relief.html

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Woody Ellis comes on the show to discuss his long walk to help raise awareness and funds for mental health issues. Woody kicked off his walk by crossing the iconic span of the Mackinaw Bridge this Labor Day. 

His route will be mostly dictated by those he will meet and by supporters who host him along the way. 

In this episode we chat about the goals and how he plans to achieve them, his gear (including a walking trailer!) and inspiration. 

Follow Woody on his walk: 

https://www.woodywalks.com

https://www.instagram.com/woodywalksproject/

https://www.facebook.com/theonlywoodywood

https://www.youtube.com/@woodywalks

https://www.tiktok.com/@woodywalksproject

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Shambrekia Wise shares the origin story of how she co-created Sightseeing with Sandy with her daughter.

After receiving a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, Shambrekia made a decision to live life more intentionally and to create lasting memories with her daughter, Sandy.

Sandy observed that she didn’t see a lot of kids that looked like her when they traveled. She asked her mom to find a solution to it. This conversation was one of the factors that led to creating Sightseeing with Sandy. “The book series, ”Sightseeing with Sandy”, creates a telescope to the world so children don’t ever have to leave home to explore it.”

Check out the book series here

Website: https://sightseeingwithsandy.com/
Instagram: @sightseeingwithsandy

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Erik gives Hike an introduction into Colorado adventures. As someone who moved from Upstate NY to Colorado, Erik gives some comparisons and contrasts  between Adirondack and Rocky Mountain hiking.  Erik touches on both the more adventurous backpacking peak bagging and route finding and also gives some recommendations for the more casual day hiker.


Listen to our first episode on the Trans ADK route here

Connect with Erik: @schlimmer_goes

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Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]