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

You're going to love the story that today's guest is going to tell you. Lord Thomas Bouissaguet is part of a group of French visionaries whose ambition is to bring to reality nothing less than a French Appalachian Trail, now named Hexatrek.

I first heard of this on Dixie's Facebook page and reached out to Lord Tom, who had his own, somewhat tenuous link to the Appalachian Trail. He'd tried to get here from Belgium in 2020, but was thwarted by Covid. Luckily, for Hexatrek, he went elsewhere and, along with others, came up with this idea.

You can learn more about Tom and his buddies at https://en.hexatrek.com/

If you'd like to get involved, go to their crowd funding effort at https://fr.ulule.com/hexatrek/

While you can reach the short film that they've put together on their website, you can reach it directly at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BMdyCJNFWA

If you'd like to contact them via social media, you can find Lord Tom at https://www.instagram.com/cartapouille/

and Hexatrek at https://www.instagram.com/hexatrek/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LHexatrek

You can read Lord Tom's blog about his Croatian hike at https://www.outdoorjournal.com/featured/expedition/hiking-through-minefields-and-a-pandemic-in-uncharted-lands/ and hear him tell it at https://anchor.fm/cartapouille

Katie has had to make some difficult decisions during her hike–as we all do–and this week she explains her latest and toughest decision so far.

Winton Porter's Passin' Thru reveals the debt some hikers feel that they owe others when they find themselves on the emotional maelstrom that is the Appalachian 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 to us at 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.

I recently saw a bunch of hikers finish under a banner headline of "Warrior Expeditions," and I was drawn to a black and white summit picture of today's guest, Shannon Shaver.

Shannon's hiking really started after she saw Martin Sheen in The Way, that terrific little movie that tells about a pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago, in Spain. That lead to her own pilgrimage and an early attempt on the Appalachian Trail that was ended by Covid in 2020. But Shannon is nothing if not tenacious, starting all over again in 2021 back at Amicolola Falls, in Georgia.

Her shakedown hike for the AT was the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota that prepared her well for the AT. But it was the support that she recieved from the Warrior Expeditions that really struck a chord with me. You can find out about them at https://warriorexpeditions.org/ while you can learn more about Shannon at her blog, https://shannonhikestheappalachiantrail2020.art.blog/ or her Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/shavannin_blue/

Katie is in Vermont, having made a tough decision about New Hampshire. As you'll hear, it was probably the right decision at the right time.

Finally today, it's Snow Day at Mountain Crossings, though the work continues through the fun.

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 to us at 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 above.

We have a husband and wife section-hiking team on the show today. Deb Taylor and Danny Mooney have done Iron Man races, Triathlons, and Marathons for years, yet Covid cemented and grew a new love–backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.

Deb and Danny share their insights and reflect upon the correlations they have found between hiking the trail and those other disciplines.

You should also check out their AT journeys at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8hBpjbcE1Gil9GwPEb8s1Q/videos where, amongst other goodies, as we referred to in our conversation, Danny Mooney lives up to his name with the Cog Train in the Whites.

You can also connect with Deb on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/coachdeb32/

and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/deb.taylor.984

The two pics below are from their Iron Man days. A spectator caught the two of them meeting up in the race, then grabbing a quick kiss.

Katie is out of Maine and heading into the Presidential Range and New Hamphire. She reflects upon Maine and looks forward to this next great chapter in her adventure.

Finally, we meet a couple of hikers who are reluctant to shed pounds from their packs in the famous Mountain Crossings shakedown.

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 by mailing a check, payable to Mighty Blue Publishing, to PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751.

Any support is gratefully received.

Remember, I'm still offering my Trail Days deal on my books, so you can use the same address (above) to buy those directly from me.

Chris Casado was lucky enough to be taken on a hiking trip in the Sierras at the age of 14 by a teacher who became a good friend. Fast forward 25 or so years, and Chris and his teacher are offering the same trip–and other trips–to people of all different hiking abilities. Even Chris's children have shared the adventure.

Given my love/hate relationship with the John Muir Trail (I love it, it hates me), talking with Chris opened my eyes to a possibility that I may still get to Mt Whitney one day. I think you'll be fascinated by both his story and the trips that he offers. They certainly stirred my imagination as soon as we started speaking.

If you'd like to learn more about Chris and his operation, visit https://tsxchallenge.com/

You can also check out his free backpacking courses, which he's offering this fall, at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/tsx-challenge-7513511981

Katie was late to report in this week, with Mahoosuc Notch occupying her for much of the day. We finally caught up just in time for this week's episode. What an adventure she's having.

Winton Porter's Passin' Thru continues to show the variety of people–and problems that passed through HIS life at Mountain Crossings.

Please check out our sponsor's website, https://cedartrailgear.com/ and thanks to those of you who've either bought or are considering buying the Three-Point Multi Tool.

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 to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

We rarely feature A.T. Southbounders on the show, but this week's guest is halfway through his SOBO hike of the Appalachian Trail. Christian Foster, or Bear, is an insightful young man, gaining much from his hike. We discuss not only the journey but also the impact of the trail upon his general well-being.

Christian also introduces the perfect articulation of what it is we need on a long-distance hike. I'd never heard the words "cognitive flexibility" in conjunction with one another before, but his smart use of the expression sums up the essence of we all need to complete a hike of this nature. For somebody who'd never even heard of the Appalachian Trail a year ago, this recognition is extraordinary to me.

The only social media that Christian shared with me is one from Snapchat. Not sure if this will work for you, but it seems to make me want to sign in and I don't have a Snapchat account!!

https://www.snapchat.com/add/foster2326?share_id=NzgyNzJC&locale=en_US

Katie checked in from the airport–in Florida!! She's heading back to Maine after a few days of R&R with her family. She's rarin' to go, again.

We also had the chance to chat with Ryan McCormick, from Cedar Trail Gear–this month's sponsor! If you haven't checked it out yet, you can learn more at cedartrailgear.com. The picture below is of me with the 3-Point Multi Tool.

Winton Porter and his family re-located to the freezing Georgia Mountains. Just how freezing, we find out today.

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 to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

For the Mighty Blue show, it's a bit of a first today. Our guest is Person Irresponsible, or PI, and she is as unlikely a hiker as you've ever met. Yet, with grit and determination–and the fact that she had nowhere else to go–PI managed to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in Covid Year.

It was lonely; she was inexperienced, and she shares how she used a program designed for something else to navigate her hike. It's a fascinating story.

If you'd like to follow more of PI's adventure, and if you'd like to read more about her book, you can go to http://www.mlconaquad.com/. You can also find her (still anonymous) on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/person.irresponsible.3

The book is also available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Everything-You-Ever-Taught-Me-ebook/dp/B096FYV6J9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30ZK3PG7JFE38&dchild=1&keywords=everything+you+ever+taught+me&qid=1631128862&s=digital-text&sprefix=everything+you+ever+taught%2Camazon-devices%2C184&sr=1-1

And don't forget, our sponsor for the month of September is Cedar Trail Gear, with their 3 Point Multi Tool. Make sure you check them out at https://cedartrailgear.com/

Katie and I chatted this week when she was halfway up Mt Avery in Maine on a beautiful Wednesday morning. Sounds idyllic, doesn't it?

And Winton Porter's Passin' Thru gets onto the prickly subject of ultralight gear. He has a warning for the unprepared!

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 to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751.

Any support is gratefully received.

In the show this week, we have one of those guys who has wanted to do the Appalachian Trail for pretty much his entire life. That kinship with the trail and the forest began when he got lost on a scout trip at the age of ten. Eric Patterson harbored the feeling of peace and comfort throughout his life and finally got to achieve his dream in 2020.

He tells his story and the impact it has had on him. You can follow Eric on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/WILDONTHETRAIL/videos

and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wildonthetrail/

Katie and I caught up this week when she was sitting on top of a mountain in the 1000 Mile Wilderness. As it always does with thru-hikers, Maine is making a massive, positive impression upon her.

In Winton Porter's Passin' Thru, Winton introduces us to another couple of unforgettable characters.

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 to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751.

And remember, you can always support what we're doing by buying one of my books. My 2014 thru-hike story is in two volumes; My Appalachian Trial I: Three Weddings and a Sabbatical My Appalachian Trial II: Creaking Geezer, Hidden Flagon Along with those two, Hiking the Appalachian trail is Easy: Especially if You've Never Hiked Before can all be checked out on Amazon and at my author website https://steveadamsauthor.com/. All support, in whatever form, is gratefully received.

Today's guest, Daniel Winsor, will make you wonder for his sanity, then marvel at his tenacity. He decided that a hike through the Sierras in snow would be a challenge not to be missed, so set himself up for precisely that–in a heavy snow year.

Daniel shares his somewhat shaky preparations with us, then chronicles his journey, making it through about 400 miles of snowy trail.

He wrote a book–named "Crunch"–about his experience and you can check it out at https://amzn.to/2V4l2E3

You can also follow Daniel on his social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/hikerbeta and https://www.instagram.com/hikerbeta/ or check out his website at http://hikerbeta.com/

While you're there, you can check out my books about my 2014 thru-hike at https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Adams/e/B01IP8ZVFW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1629924020&sr=8-1

If you prefer, you can buy the printed versions from me at steveadamsauthor.com; I'll even sign them for you if you'd like.

Katie made it up Katahdin and to the fabled brown sign. It was every bit as good as it looks here!!

In the show, I also mentioned the upcoming "Woods Hole Weekend," where you can prepare for your 2022 thru-hike with experienced hikers in the idyllic surroundings of the gorgeous Woods Hole with the enchanting Neville Harris. Check it out here. https://woodsholehostel.com/things-to-do/the-woods-hole-weekend/

Finally today, Chapter 2 of "Just Passin' Thru" introduces us to a guy with a serious snake bite and a woman with a serious potty mouth!!

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 to us at PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751.

Any support is gratefully received.

Another stellar story for you all this week. Josh and Cassie Sutton started a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail back in the middle of January 2021. Apart from the early start, that wouldn't have been especially noteworthy–other than that they hiked with their four-year-old son, Harvey, or Little Man!

What happened over the next seven months is a story of determination, patience, games, and a little bit of arm-twisting to get permission for Harvey to climb Katahdin–which he did last Monday, August 9.

If you'd like to watch more of the Sutton story, you can follow their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAfUef5Cy3n4ujPE5JDQ1w and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/livesutton/

We catch up with Katie, having "abandoned" her for about a month. I'm delighted to be able to report that she's alive and thriving!!

I also start a new book this week, with Winton Porter's "Just Passin' Thru." I hope that you all enjoy it.

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

Any support is gratefully received.

Jesse Cody had never hiked until he read Bill Bryson's book, "A Walk in the Woods." Something within the book spoke to him, and he saw a thru-hike as a way forward from some of his mental health issues. The result was a revelation, and Jesse devoted his days to helping others with some of the same issues.

We spoke last week with Randi Silverman of the Youth Mental Health Project and Jesse is supporting that charity by raising money on the PCT. Jesse's website, https://hikethegoodhike.com/, brings awareness and information on mental health to hikers everywhere. The man is truly on a mission.. On the home page of the site, Jesse says "My feet have carried me over roughly 7500 miles of trails throughout the United States, and now I'm sharing my journey to bring awareness to mental health through wilderness exploration."

You can follow Jesse on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hikethegoodhike/

and on Facebook at

ps://www.facebook.com/hikethegoodhike

and https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cody.77

If you'd like to make a monetary donation to his hike, then you can click on this link. https://ymhproject.networkforgood.com/projects/133134-walking-and-talking-for-youth-mental-health

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

Any support is gratefully received.