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

Shep Smith, or Soundscape, had a particular mission when he was on the Appalachian Trail. As a former oceanographer, Shep chose to map the sounds of the trail. He shares a few insights today, along with stories from his hike.

If this fascinating subject gets you as much as it did me, you can check out the interactive map that Shep refers to in our conversation. It is at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8839ac254aa2473a9f2d2947d48ce799

Also today, I caught up with Chuck Hays, now in the Smokies.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

I have a wonderful reunion this week, with Lee Brackman, General Lee, from my Class of 2019. Lee and I ran into each other in Virginia and hiked around each other for a few days. Despite that brief time, we felt like firm friends, our nearly 50 year age difference notwithstanding. It was great to catch up.

Lee is a pretty remarkable young man, having packed an awful lot of stuff into his 24 years, including both his long hikes, mission work in a Cholera Hospital, and Cancer Research at Vanderbilt.

More recently, Lee hiked the CDT and started a new company, with a friend from Vanderbilt, producing clean water with electrolytes. Check it out at Purlyte.com. If you want to learn more, or even reconnect with him after your own hiking adventure, Lee is happy to share his email address. You can reach him at [email protected]

We catch up with two of our Class of 2022 members. Joanne Birditt tells me that she is bringing forward her thru-hike a few weeks, while Sarah Sunshine Landis is going in the opposite direction, putting hers back a couple of weeks. None of this will matter when the two of them get out on the trail; it's always going to be there!

Finally today, stick around and listen to the Ballad of Mighty Blue, written for me by Andy Alexander. I close out the show with it today, and am grateful indeed that our show has meant so much to people that they want to support in this way. I'm humbled.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

This week, another intrepid young woman shares her story with us. Kelly Hays, who has developed quite a following on YouTube, hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2021, yet hers was no ordinary hike.

Emergency surgery for most people would take them off the trail for more than just a few weeks, yet Kelly was so desperate to get back with her trail family that she returned just three weeks after the surgery. Hear how she coped with this setback and how she experienced the trail in all its glory.

Previous thru-hiker and guest, Stephanie "Sunshine" Lorenze even crowned at the end!

You can catch up with Kelly at some of the following links

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfMHF8GPio8NAeP0loK1VmA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyhays23/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8GFd7Bu/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KellyHaysHikes23

Dom Tammaro mentioned last week how he'll be carrying a bear canister, and I expressed an interest to see how he stows it on his pack. Looks good, Dom.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Grant Breidenbach is our guest this week. Grant hiked the John Muir Trail in 2021, his longest backpacking trip to date. But, as you'll hear, his preparation and knowledge base is impressive from many perspectives. He is a consummate planner who considers the many factors that go into completing a long-distance hike.

He also has some insights into the weather patterns in the Sierras that culminated in a huge storm on his second day. His telling of that story is riveting.

Finally, Grant makes the case for bear canisters as a method of food storage to help protect bears.

Grant suggests the following two Facebook sites as valuable resources for the JMT https://www.facebook.com/groups/JohnMuirTrail

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2022jmt

If you'd like to learn more about Grant's preparations for the trail, and his attention to detail, check out his excellent website, at https://grantbreidenbach.wixsite.com/grantphotography. There, you'll see his pack breakdown, his food details, and his itinerary, along with a link to his Instagram account.

Also today, Dave Burge and Chuck Hayes–our first two Class of 2022 members–talk to me about their progress in the cold, early days of the year.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

This week, we have four guests on the show, with Will Henry leading the way. Will tells us about his 1994 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. He also talks about meeting Bill Irwin, the blind hiker who hiked a few years before Will with his dog, Orient. Bill not only befriended Will, but he also changed the course of Will's life and career path.

It's truly amazing when you consider the reach of the Appalachian Trail and the people who walk along it. You can check out the work that Will does with guide dogs here. https://www.guidedogs.com/

He also sent a few pictures of himself in 1994. Check out his Katahdin picture and the one of him fording the Kennebec. Epic!!

Considering Will's canine connection, it seems totally appropriate that the final member of our Class of 2022 is going with his own dog this year. Dan Whitesides, aka Trumpet, and his dog FrankE are heading out in early April. You can follow Dan and FrankE via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whitehuskyadventures/

Also today, we have another conversation with Chris Casado, from TSX adventures. Chris talks about his new NextGen Education Program, and you can find out more about that at https://tsxchallenge.com/nextgen/. If you have an interest in this program or would like to help, or find out more, please email Chris at [email protected].

Finally, Dom Tammaro is, to say the very least, as excited as he can be about his upcoming hike. Dom and Steve chatted about Dom's ongoing preparations, particularly focusing on his pack and choice of bear cannister.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of Steve's book offer (signed copies of all three of his printed hiking books for $35, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

My guest today is Annmarie Noonan. Annmarie wrote to me recently to tell me about her passion for hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Indeed, it was the words from her journal and her story of her own four-year section hike of the trail that convinced me she'd be an excellent guest.

When we spoke, the enthusiasm was infectious and I think you'll enjoy our conversation.

Also this week, one of the last members of our Class of 2022. I intended to get Dave Burge in December but, as these things go, I kind of dropped the ball. Picking it up now, we caught up with Dave well into his Appalachian Trail hike.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of Steve's Trail Days book offer (all three of his printed hiking books for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Steve Barbour is the Executive Director of the Sheltowee Trace Association, and our guest this week. Steve hiked the Appalachian Trail in the mid-2000s, and has nearly completed a second section thru-hike with just New Hampshire and Maine to go.

But it is his work with the STA that especially interested me. We had an informative and fun conversation about this 340 plus-mile trail, as well as an explanation of an innovative way to promote the trail and introduce the novice hiker to it.

If you'd like to learn more about the trail itself, you can go to http://www.sheltoweetrace.org/, while you can learn more about the Hiker Challenge that we talk about at https://sheltoweetrace.org/hiker-challenge

We also talked about the phenomenon of Steve Miles, which is discussed in depth at https://bookhiker.com/2020/02/27/scientific-observations-and-exploration-of-the-unexplained-phenomenon-of-steve-miles/?fbclid=IwAR3LVoWlAvIYzrby4IKKi6Pvir__CWyfN5-uxDxxg-m1WuIHX1bswlWAjtQ

Our Class of 2022 continues to grow, with Hugh and Kerry Ickrath chatting with me today. I met Hugh on my 2019 hike when he kindly brought me trail magic, then I met both of them just over a year ago at our Woods Hole Weekend. As you'll hear, Hugh and Kerry are planning a rather unique experience.

And then, the last chapter of Just Passin' Thru!! It may have taken me the entire book to give you the correct title but, in case you've been looking for it on Amazon, here's the link, https://www.amazon.com/Just-Passin-Thru-Appalachian-Unforgettable-ebook/dp/B004X19L84/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ERSWZS2V7RJ8&keywords=just+passin%27+thru&qid=1642621367&s=digital-text&sprefix=just+passin%27+thru%2Cdigital-text%2C80&sr=1-1

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of Steve's book offer (all three of his printed hiking books for $35, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Garrett Tandy is this week's guest, a 2021 flip flopper who finished at Delaware Water Gap in October 2021. He has fresh memories that he shares in a wide-ranging conversation.

Garrett is in his late 30s, which is a rarer demographic on the trail, and he did what he needed to do to hike the AT, making necessary changes and arrangements to fulfill his dream.

You can find out more about Garrett on his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/jive_turkey_hikes/, where he has some pretty cool pictures that track his hike this year.

For the first time, we have THREE Class of 2022 members, all hiking together this year. Kera, Brittaney, and Ryan explain why they're going out as a trio, and what got them to this place in their lives that made them want to attempt the trail.

Kera and Brittaney have new Instagram pages if you'd like to follow them along the trail. Kera is at https://www.instagram.com/atfindingme2022/, while Brittaney is at https://www.instagram.com/brkhikes22/. Brittaney and Ryan also have a new YouTube page to follow as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRajFlOiVYrtL2UifkJsf9w

There's a bit of a shock in Winton Porter's Passin' Thru this week, as one of our favorite characters turns out to be somebody we didn't actually know. It just goes to show; you can reinvent yourself along the trail.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to take advantage of Steve's book offer (all three of his printed hiking books for $35, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

My guests normally get on the show through listener suggestions, but this week, I found Michael Dunford on Facebook. He received a remarkable letter from a grateful father, and it was Mike's reaction to that letter that made me want to reach out to him and invite him on the show.

Our initial conversation, which I always try to do prior to recording, was illuminating in so many ways.

Mike's path hasn't always been smooth, and he shares a visceral tale of dark days before he found what he wanted to do with his life. That path is now clearly fulfilling him. If you'd like to camp on Mike's farm, just email him at the number below and share YOUR appreciation for the kindnesses he offers.

The letter that compelled me to invite Mike onto the podcast in the first place, is shown, with Mike's permission, below.

Sarah Sunshine Landis is the latest member of our Class of 2022, proving herself to be quietly confident in her own ability to successfully complete the trail. We'll be catching up with Sarah as her hike progresses.

Chuck Hayes, however, is the only one of this year's class who has started his hike. We caught up with him at Mountain Crossings, as he reflected those early days and his climb up Blood Mountain.

Finally, Winton Porter's Passin' Thru is coming to a close, with just two chapters to the end. This week, we conclude Chapter 18, following the shock news of Jennifer's ex, John.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

If you'd like to buy all three of Steve's printed hiking books for $35, (including postage to anywhere in the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Our guest today is Sarah Robison. As you'll hear, she is very reflective about the hike and how it came about, articulating clearly some of her thought processes along the way. Sarah has changed her life to suit the "new" person who came back from the trail.

She is a Nurse Anesthetist, specializing in neurosurgery, and resigned from this position to hike the trail. The adventure had such an impact upon her that she has modified her lifestyle to accommodate less stress and allow more freedom in her life.

You can connect with Sarah on her social media on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008918597579, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarah_robison/, on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIG08WkiF6pEC6eEESc3aLA, and on her website, which is at https://www.andtheniwalked.com/

I also spoke with a new member of the Class of 2022, Dom Tammaro. Dom and I had quite a laugh as he is preparing to head out to the trail in a few months. We'll be catching up with Dom before he goes.

But Chuck Hayes is going to be one of the first 2022 hikers out there. Chuck plans to hit the trail and be at the top of Springer at midnight on December 31. I caught up with him after I saw a funny video he'd posted . You can see it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwErtEzuvzU

We could only get part of Chapter 18 of Winton Porter's Passin' Thru in today; plenty still happens!

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.