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

It's an all-woman show today, with Marissa Neel, the Executioner, as our main guest. She has a very funny, brutally honest YouTube channel, and is exactly the same person in our conversation.

Marissa shares plenty of witty insights and a stoic determination to get to the end. The story of her last night camping on the AT is a visceral example of what it can be like out there. I could relate on so many levels.

Her YouTube channel is not to be missed, so click here. https://www.youtube.com/user/mkneel2/videos

Kate is now moving through New Jersey and past the 300-mile mark. The ankle still hurts, but she continues to push north. Below, she is with her current hiking partner, Luna, at the top of Culver Tower.

I mention the open position at the Devil's Backbone Brewery as Chief Hiking Officer in my comments in the show. If you'd like to apply, check it out at this link. https://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/cho/

Finally, Grandma Gatewood reaches Baxter State Park.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

Carolyn Walker and Gordon Yhap are now thru-hikers. When you hear their story, you may well wonder "How did they do it?" This conversation should shake up any pre-conceived ideas you may have about what it takes to hike the trail successfully. Gordon and Carolyn are an inspiration.

Carolyn kept an online journal while on the trail, so if you'd like to follow along with their hike, click here. http://mytripjournal.com/carolynwalker

.

She also did a guest post in the Trek once she finished https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/not-hiking-harder-than-hiking/

Kate Stillwell is still pushing north in our "Woman of a Certain Age" segment and has made it out of the dreaded state of PA.

We also have the second part of Chapter 14 from Grandma Gatewood's Walk

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

We're not so focused on the AT this week, with Luke "Strider" Jordan taking on some of the wilder American trails. His first thru-hike was the 4600 mile North Country Trail, and he became the Earl Schaffer of the Great Plains Trail when he completed the very first thru-hike of that new trail.

On the way, he learned what worked and what didn't. He shares some fascinating insights in his conversation with Steve You can connect with Strider and find out more about these trails at the following links.

Strider's NCT Hike website: http://stridernct.com/Home_Page.php Strider's Travel Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StriderNCT/ Strider's Book "Thru And Back Again...", available on amazon https://www.amazon.com/Thru-Back-Again-Journey-Country/dp/0692880909 For information about the North Country Trail visit: https://northcountrytrail.org/ For information about the Great Plains Trail visit: https://www.greatplainstrail.org/

Kate Stillwell, or Phoenix, has stopped in town for the first time, mainly to resolve a blister issue. She and Steve chat twice as she continues her steady progress.

Grandma Gatewood's Walk is a little truncated this week, with only the first part of Chapter 14. The second part of the chapter will be next week.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

This week's guests met as members of the Class of 2019–my year, even though we never met–and they have been together pretty much ever since.

Natalie and Grady both left a little earlier than I did and had a terrific tramily. It was Catmando, one of their tramily and a listener to the show, who pointed me in their direction.

Natalie and Grady's story brings out the diversity of opportunity on the trail and each reflects upon how lucky they were not only to meet one another but that they chose 2019 and not 2020 for their trip.

Natalie has a beautiful AT video which she did entirely in verse, so check that out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyh80NSnma8&t=206s

Kate Stillwell, in defiance of ATC directives, keeps moving forward and is already over 100 miles into her hike. We caught up on Tuesday.

After chatting with Kate, I received an email from ATC who clarified their continued guidance about trail closures. I read this email on the show for the benefit of listeners.

Finally, Grandma Gatewood's ordeal is over. No, not her hike, her marriage.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

We've got another terrific show today, with Bobby O'Donnell, a listener, providing our main conversation. Bobby and I discuss a pivotal moment in his life that led him to marathons on seven continents and, in 2018, the Appalachian Trail. His story has moments of sadness, disaster, and triumph, all of which he drew on during his hike.

A paramedic, Bobby has been working during this crisis, and his personal experiences have shaped his response to adversity.

You can connect with Bobby on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/runningwildbook/

He is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/runwildbook

His website is https://www.runningwildbook.com/

Kate Stillwell, our Woman of a Certain Age, has decided what she wants to do with her intended thru-hike this year. She shares that decision with Steve.

Grandma Gatewood's growing fame has reached the pages of Sports Illustrated and she burnishes her superwoman credentials by her stoic approach to the swollen rivers in the north.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Music for the "A Woman of a Certain Age" segment is by permission of Kate's friend, John Jensen. You can see and hear it in full on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlP7g7qivo4

Thanks, John.

This week, we have a book theme in the show, with a giveaway of six signed books. The principal guest is Sarah Jones Decker, or Harvest, who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2008, but that wasn't the primary reason that we have Sarah as a guest. She has photographed and written about all the AT shelters in a beautiful book that evokes all the memories we share at those often rundown places.

You can connect with Sarah and buy a signed copy of her book at https://www.sarahjonesdecker.com/

Sarah's question as part of our six-book giveaway contest is: What is the largest non-hut shelter on the AT?

Bruce Matson also came back to the show to talk about the three books that he has written since his thru-hike. You can find his books on Amazon at this link. https://amzn.to/3ccmmrU

Bruce's question is: In which town do participants in the Curly Maple Pizza Challenge purchase the beer and pizza necessary to complete the challenge?

I've added my two signed books about my 2014 thru-hike and my question is: What shelter has the highest elevation on the trail?

Answer ALL THREE questions correctly, email your answers to me at [email protected], and you'll be entered into a draw for ALL SIX signed books. Best of luck.

Finally today, Grandma Gatewood faces a storm in both her personal and hiking lives. She also teaches us a lesson that was being learned the hard way, for some, in the 1950s.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

This week, our guest is a listener who is also a LASHer, a long-ass section hiker. His name is Steve Ortiz or Survivor. His trail name gives away that the mere fact that he is hiking the Appalachian Trail in sections is a blessing in itself.

A cancer diagnosis has not slowed down this self-confessed adventurer and, while he regrets that he has to stay off the trail during the current crisis, he is itching to get back out there to complete his goal.

If you'd like to keep up with Steve, take a look at his blog; it has some glorious trail pictures. You can find it at https://www.a-bucket-list-of-adventures.com/

My special guest for the middle section is a surprise, though it is a very personal conversation with somebody who has occupied a lot of my thoughts in April.

Finally, Grandma Gatewood is in New England, just as a hurricane is slamming its way towards her!

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

With the trails now quieter than they've probably ever been at this time of year, it seems appropriate somehow that we should have a trail maintainer AND thru-hiker as our main guest this week. Paul Curtin hiked the AT in 2015 with his son, Kyle, and now gives back to the trail through his work with the Carolina Mountain Club.

Paul and Steve talk about Paul's hike and the very important lessons that he learned for his post-hike life. You can read more about the hike on his blog at this link - https://pckc.tumblr.com/

Then, Paul and Steve go on to chat about the work that Paul and the rest of his Carolina Mountain Club members do for the respective trails that they care for.

You can learn more about some of this work at the following links:

Overnight crew - https://youtu.be/sSjE-HKFmaY

Regular crew work - https://youtu.be/0pmb0yXkTLs

Carolina Mountain Club website - https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm

CMC trail maintenance https://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/pages.view/id/12/page/TRAIL-WORK

National Trail Day at Max Patch https://vimeo.com/341199743

Also on the show, sharing his passion for the Great Plains Trail, Clay Bonnymore Evans gives us news of this relatively fledgling trail that promises tons of solitude.

Website for Great Plains Trail Alliance - http://www.greatplainstrail.org/

Clay's website Wonderland (menu on top has a link to a long blog about his GPT hike) - https://claybonnymanevans.com/

People can always reach out to Clay through email at - [email protected]

The photo above is of Bear Butte from the Centennial Trail, to give you a sense of what it's like. The butte is truly the "Katahdin" of the Centennial Trail, a spectacular place to finish or start.

Finally, on today's show, Grandma Gatewood crosses the Hudson River at the lowest point on the trail.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

You might also be interested in buying a Hiking Radio Network shirt (tee or performance) at www.hikingradionetwork.com and clicking on the "Cool Merch" tab.

Today we meet James Brinkman or Snickers. James, like me, was a member of the Class of 2019. Indeed, we met and had dinner in Erwin TN on our respective hikes. James' journey to the trail was somewhat tortuous, with a nasty accident as a young man and an addiction to pain killers messing up much of his early life.

James is an inspiring example to all who believe that they can't hike the Appalachian or any other long-distance trail. He faced his issues, moved past them, and got out into nature. As you'll hear, it was just what he needed to do.

You can connect with James on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006002928928

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

I wouldn't normally add his business Facebook page but I'm making an exception here as he intends to offer free massage sessions to healthcare workers once his business reopens. Good on you, James. Reach him there at https://www.facebook.com/JamesBrinkmannMassage/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARCEnwVyhLueMAtMh9-_s7Q7LhepGjqCi9SUxgHQ0O21s62VQGTb9cLhPj6DX_8r9pZEA1ZTwPv7uTlG

While I'm still pondering what to do with the middle section of the show, this week I have Steve Cole, an aspiring AT thru-hiker who went for a warm-up on the Tour Mont Blanc. He shares some of his experiences of this beautiful trail with you all. If you'd like to see more, check out this YouTube link from Abbie Barnes; it gives you a great little taster for what you'll see on the TMB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzHJGRTjo2Q

Grandma Gatewood continues to walk north, gaining publicity and admirers along the way as she heads into New York.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.

Our main guest today is Melissa "Click!" Goodwin, a licensed outdoor guide and photographer. She is the founder of Girl Gotta Hike, which connects women with nature, confidence, and camaraderie, both online and on-trail through blog posts, podcast interviews, and guided hiking and backpacking trips in and around New York City.

She and her dad, Michael "LongTime" Goodwin, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail together in 2011. This is her story.

Melissa can be found at:

Girl Gotta Hike Website www.girlgottahike.com

Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/girl-gotta-hike-the-podcast/id1485833617

https://open.spotify.com/show/0YHVJuW8bitL56H4B1l9UE

@girlgottahike on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/girlgottahike

@girlgottahike on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/girlgottahike

@girlgottahike on Twitter https://twitter.com/girlgottahike

Melissa Goodwin Photography http://melissagoodwinphotography.com

Mel and Mike Hike - A 2011 AT Adventure http://melandmikehike.com

We also hear from Janet Hensley, universally known and loved as Miss Janet, the ultimate Trail Angel. Miss Janet's calm, pragmatic take on the current pandemic is welcome at this time.

Finally, Tim Montgomery's Grandma Gatewood's Walk reaches the second half of the AT, revealing more of her brutal relationship with her husband.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. The donate button is on the Mighty Blue podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Any support is gratefully received.