Hike

Tawnya and Curt Finney have been caretakers of the Appalachian Trail's Tumbling Run Shelter for 30 years now. They speak to Lori about what it has been like to adopt this shelter in the Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest,  a few miles north of the Mason-Dixon Line.  It's located near Mile 1075, near the half way point of the Appalachian Trail.

Tawnya and Curt, along with Curt's 85 year old father George, have dedicated over 3 decades to maintaining and improving the Tumbling Run Shelter. In this conversation they also discuss: 

• Trail etiquette tips
• Leave No Trace
• How the AT has changed 
• Ways to get involved
• Why they volunteer

Learn more by visiting the below links:

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
https://www.patc.net
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PotomacAppalachianTrailClub

North Chapter:
https://www.patcnorth.net
https://www.facebook.com/PATCNorth

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

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

Michelle shares what inspired her to begin a backpacking journey which includes hiking the Te Araroa and some of the Great Walks. Michelle talks candidly about dealing with Graves Disease, mental health struggles and how that impacted her hike on the Te Araroa. We talk about pushing through fear and how she hopes that sharing her hiking adventures (and misadventures) can help others who want to get out on the trail.

We cover highlights from the Te Araroa and also what it is like to hike some of the Great Walks.  Learn more about the trails:

Te Araroa
The 10 Great Walks

Connect with Michelle:
Web: Long White Gypsy
Instagram: @longwhitegypsy
YouTube: Long White Gypsy

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

Support the show

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

Magpie and Constantine share their hike of the North Country Trail, which was also the fastest known time for a self-supported hike. Constantine also celebrated a milestone of now completing all 11 National Scenic Trails. Listen as they both share a candid and reflective conversation. 

Just some of the topics covered:

• Planning for the NCT 
• Managing resupplies and such on a 4800 mile trail
• The highs and lows of thru-hiking the NCT
• Trail Magic as part of the experience 
• Hiking as a couple

Connect with Magpie and Constantine:
Web: Adventurous Magpie and Elevenskys
Instagram: @adventurousmagpie and @elevenskys
YouTube: HikingAmerica


Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

Support the show

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

Amy and Dan Lopata section hiked the Finger Lakes Trail over 2020 and 2021. With over 60 different hikes, they traversed the trail from West to East from the Allegheny Mountains to the Catskills. 

In this episode, they share:

• Things learned along the way
• Transformation to lighter gear
• Unique perspective coming from trail running to hiking 
• Challenges of hiking this trail 
• Highlights of the FLT 
• Sections they recommend
• Tips for new hikers to the trail
• Tips for being a good hiker and advocate for the land

Listen to Christy Post give an overview of the Finger Lakes Trail in Season 5, episode 11

Connect Amy and Dan Lopata
Instagram: @amylopata
Facebook Group for Hiking Posts: Finger Lakes Trail Hikers & Friends

Connect with/Learn about the Finger Lakes Trail Conference:
Instagram: @fingerlakestrail
About the Trail: Finger Lakes Trail
Trail Maps: Interactive Trail Maps
Facebook: Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

Support the show

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

Christy Post of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference shares how the FLTC supports the growth, maintenance and organization of New York State's Finger Lakes Trail.  We go over trail basics, trail events, volunteer and member opportunities and some of the reasons you should explore the Finger Lakes Trail.

The Finger Lakes Trail System includes the main Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) from the Pennsylvania-New York border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path and the summit of Slide Mountainin the Catskill Forest Preserve. The main FLT is 580 miles long. There are six branch trails and 29 loop trails and spur trails that extend from the main FLT. These branch, loop and spur trails currently total 412 miles. Including the Main Trail and all branch, loop, and side trails, the Finger Lakes Trail System offers 1,000 miles of hiking.

The Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Inc. (FLTC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of dues paying members and governed by a Board of Managers duly elected by its membership in accordance with its written Bylaws.

Mission – The mission of the FLTC is “… to build, protect, enhance, and promote a continuous footpath across New York State for the enjoyment and health of residents and visitors. Forever!” The FLTC was founded in 1962. It works in cooperation with its members and various organizations to develop and maintain a premier hiking trail system in New York.

Membership – More than 1,400 individual and family memberships currently support the FLTC through annual dues ranging from $15 to $60 and through donations. Approximately one fourth of these members actively volunteer to operate the organization and its programs, and to build and maintain the trail system. 

You can join the FLTC, renew your membership, and make a donation here.

Connect with/Learn about the Finger Lakes Trail Conference:
Instagram: @fingerlakestrail
About the Trail: Finger Lakes Trail
Trail Maps: Interactive Trail Maps
Facebook: Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

Support the show

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

Jeffy and Bridget Geer share their thru hike of Michigan's Shore to Shore Trail.

The Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail (also known as the Michigan Riding and Hiking Trail) is a 220-mile-long (350 km) trail that runs between Empire on Lake Michigan and Oscoda on Lake Huron across the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It is open to horseback riders and hikers but not bicycles. 

The trail's western end is located within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The trail, going from west to east, travels through the Boardman River valley and follows the Au Sable River for about 50 miles (80 km). The trail was developed by trail riders in 1962 and travels through mixed hardwood and conifer forests. Public campgrounds are located throughout the route. (taken from Wikipedia)

More Trail Info:
Huron-Manistee National Forest page
Michigan Trail Riders Association Maps

Connect with Jeffy and Bridget:
Instagram: @roguefoot
Facebook: Rogue Foot

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

Support the show

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

Corin shares her journey of falling in love with hiking. She leads us through her story of  going on day hikes, her first backpacking trip of the Art Loeb and how it led her to a 22 mile point to point hike through Washington's Enchantments in one day.


We chat about hiking in Pisgah National Forest, pushing beyond your comfort zone, hiking partnerships with your spouse/significant other, and how all that culminated in her day long adventure in Washington's Cascade Mountains earlier this Fall.

The Trails and Useful Links:
Art Loeb Trail
https://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/pisgah-national-forest/long-distance/art-loeb-trail/
https://www.romanticasheville.com/art_loeb_trail.htm

Looking Glass Mountain
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48142

Cat Gap Loop
https://www.hikewnc.info/trails/davidson-river/cat-gap-loop
https://www.romanticasheville.com/john_rock.htm

Pisgah National Forest
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48114

Dupont State Forest
https://www.dupontforest.com/visit/

Black Balsam
https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/black-balsam-knob-art-loeb-trail-hiking/
https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/black-balsam-knob-tennent-mountain-loop/

Davison River Campground
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/davidson-river-recreation-area-trail

Enchantment Area Wilderness
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fsbdev3_053607
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchantment-lakes

Support the show

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

Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN founder of Backcountry Foodie gives Hike listeners some tips and advice on how we can have better nutrition on trail. Hiker hunger doesn't have to give way to bad nutrition, and Aaron's recipes are created with essential nutrition in mind while keeping things ultralight.

Founded in 2017 by Aaron Owens Mayhew, Backcountry Foodie is the leading source for ultralight backpacking recipes and meal planning resources. As a registered dietitian and ultralight long-distance backpacker, Aaron created Backcountry Foodie while preparing homemade, lightweight meals for her thru-hike attempt of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017 and subsequent thru-hike of the Oregon Coast Trail in 2018. (source: Backcountry Foodie)

Use code hikepodcast for 20% off a Backcountry Foodie membership

Connect with Aaron and Backcountry Foodie:
Web site: Backcountry Foodie
Instagram: @backcountry_foodie
Facebook: Backcountry Foodie

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

Support the show

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

Zach shares his 3 day thru hike of the Foothills Trail, starting in Oconee and ending in Table Rock.  

The Foothills trail is located in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina and is 77 miles long. Normally thru hikes can plan to spend 5-10 days on the trail, while weekend backpackers and day-hikers can utilize numerous trailheads for shorter trips. 

Major trailheads are located at:

• Table Rock State Park
• US 178
• SC 130
• SC 107
• Oconee State Park 

(source: Foothills Trail Conservancy)

Connect with Zach:
Instagram: @zach_kuss
Facebook: zach.kuss

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

The Trail:
The Foothills Trail - https://foothillstrail.org/trail-overview/
Maps and Coordinates - https://foothillstrail.org/maps-coordinates-2/

Listen to Zach's episode on the Art Loeb here.

Support the show

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

Fidgit and Neon share their story and the mission of Her Odyssey which is to travel the length of the Americas by non-motorized means, connecting the stories of the land and its inhabitants.

Listen in as they share stories from the time they met on the Pacific Crest Trail, the uniqueness of hiking in South America and their most recent journey on the Great Divide Trail. Fidget and Neon's journey is much more than the miles traversed, but an intimate connection formed with the land and the people who live near it. 

Bethany’s love of mountains began when she was 4 years old, following her father into the Andes of Ecuador and Chile. As Bethany walks through the areas where she first learned of the beauty and possibilities of the world—as well as the deep inequalities—she hopes to inspire everyone who follows to dream big and to foster access for women and children to resources, both internal and external, which can help to make their dreams reality. (read entire bio here)

Originally from Pennsylvania, Lauren (aka Neon) spent much of her younger days discovering the outside world, sometimes with one or more of her three siblings. As she grew up, she continued expanding her hobbies and interests in the outdoors. While attending University, she led trips with the school’s outing club while working toward  degrees in Hospitality Management and Commercial Recreation Management (read entire bio here)

Connect with Her Odyssey (Fidgit & Neon)
Website: Her Odyssey
Instagram: @_her_odyssey_
Facebook: Her Odyssey - La Odisea de Ella
Twitter: @her_odyssey
You Tube: Her Odyssey

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast

Support the show

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