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

Plenty to get your teeth into today. Our main guest is Paul "Skunkape" Collins, a man who took on the Appalachian Trail in 2012 and has missed it every day since.

He also plans to get back on the trail in 2022, his 10-year trailiversary.

He took over 2,000 photos (carrying a DSLR camera) and shared them with friends and, most particularly with his mother. Prior to her death, he celebrated the trail with her in a really touching way.

You can see some of Paul's pics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hikingwithskunkape/

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

I join my fellow Hiking Radio Network podcasts–Julie Gayheart and Anna Huthmaker–in a panel discussion on the ramifications of the virus on hiking long-distance trails.

Additionally, Dr. Lynne returns to the show, with real-world experience of what the virus is doing to us and some helpful tips.

Finally, Grandma Gatewood reveals more of her brutal life and reaches Harpers Ferry. 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.

We have another pastor on the show today. Cari Pattison is a member of the Class of 2019 (as am I) and she tells the story of her hike as it unfolded last year. She had planned a return to the trail this year but, with the Corona Virus now threatening to overrun most of us, she has had to accept that this year won't be possible for her.

Cari's calm presence on the show may well reassure others as they contemplate their own broken plans. If you'd like to follow Cari on Instagram, you can find her at https://www.instagram.com/follow_thejoy/

Additionally, her fascinating and extremely well-written blog on the Trek can be found at https://thetrek.co/author/cari-pattison/

There are a lot of different opinions on the virus and how hikers should respond. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has had its say (along with the associations of other long-distance trails) and I will be giving my view on the show this week. To add to that, we have a hiker who (at March 25) is currently still hiking north.

Grandma Gatewood continues her struggle north, with Post-WWII America unfolding in front of 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.

This is a special show that takes in the Corona Virus and its implications for hikers, as well as a father and son pair of pastors preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail.

First, we have Aaron and BG Turner, two men ready for the adventure of their life, yet torn with doubt over the advisability of the hike. This situation is changing so quickly that I thought it was important to not only hear from Aaron and BG, but it was also important to get an expert on the show to help us in our deliberations regarding this outbreak.

Heather "Brave" Sloan is a public health educator and gives us up-to-the-minute advice on what we should be considering. She may well be needed on the show in a week or so for further updates. You can check out Heather's Facebook page if you'd like to learn more about staying healthy on the trail. https://www.facebook.com/stayinghealthyontheappalachiantrail/

Kate Stillwell continues to count down to her own AT flip flop, though that decision is similarly conflicting her.

And Grandma Gatewood reaches Damascus, with the whole of America in a road-building frenzy.

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, now that we've finished reading his book Hiking Through, Paul Stutzman shares with us his hiking and personal journeys. We've learned about his AT trip and I wanted to know what happened after he stepped off the trail.

Like his books, Paul is funny, perceptive, and occasionally serious. If you'd like to learn more about Paul or buy some of his books, you can visit his website at http://paulstutzman.com/

We also chat again with Kate Stillwell, our Woman of a Certain Age. Kate is using her 2017 experience on the trail with her daughter to dial in her gear. With less than three weeks to go, Kate's journey is nearly upon us.

Finally, in Grandma Gatewood's Walk, Emma's sometimes brutal early life is juxtaposed against the freedom of her hike.

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 first met Chloë de Camara a few weeks ago on the show, informing us about the critical Leave No Trace principles and, in a follow-up conversation, it was clear that Chloë had her own Appalachian Trail story about her trek in 2015.

She was very intentional about how she came to the trail, writing a thesis about Appalachian Trail thru-hiking as a spiritual experience and volunteering for the ATC. As you'll hear, meeting the inspirational Jennifer Pharr Davis was a great motivator for her own journey.

If you'd like to see more of what Chloë does, click on this link to the ATC's Start Smart program https://youtu.be/J_-evEG3fFg

Also today, we have the start of a new series; A Woman of a Certain Age, where Kate Stillwell prepares for and then attempts a thru-hike of the AT from April 1. In this episode, Steve and Kate talk, along with Kate's daughter Alexa, or Tinkerbell.

Our new book, Grandma Gatewood's Walk, by Ben Montgomery, teaches us more about the harshness of Emma's life and the early days of her epic journey.

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.

Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN, CD is a registered dietitian, ultralight long-distance backpacker, and backpacking food cookbook author. Aaron has worked in the field of nutrition for nineteen years and has been a backpacker for nearly as long. After having a mid-life crisis in 2016, Aaron began long-distance backpacking on her 40th birthday by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

She has since launched her business, Backcountry Foodie™, a recipe and meal-planning service for backpackers. The service provides a platform for Aaron to share her knowledge and passion for eating well in the backcountry. She also runs her business and lives in a camper van full-time with her husband and dog. They have been on the road since April 2019 and look forward to where their outdoor adventures will continue to take them.

You can learn more about Aaron, and her advice, at her website https://backcountryfoodie.com/

You can also find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_foodie/

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/backcountryfoodie/

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUpLNV2Ct1WQWZHhSF3eCw

Also today, we have the first chapter of Ben Montgomery's book about the first badass woman on the trail; Grandma Gatewood. If you'd like to buy the book, follow this link. https://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Gatewoods-Walk-Inspiring-Appalachian-ebook/dp/B00IQY2Q0O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F2GUEOT90P8Y&keywords=grandma+gatewoods+walk&qid=1582740316&sprefix=grandma+gate%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1

Remember to show your support for the show by donating on our podcast page at https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Our guest today, Brant Bazner, lives in the iconic trail town of Damascus. He moved there to be near the trail and has now been hiking on the AT for several years, mainly with his dog, Garvey.

Steve and Brant have a wide-ranging conversation about hiking on the trail with a dog, along with a discussion on gear and a few of Brant's stories about his years of hiking on the AT.

You can catch up with Brant at Garvey on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYX2u59E9uxUD92oFVKdZeg

We also have Chloe Decamera from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on the show, talking about Leave No Trace principles as the hiking season warms up. Chloe has a wealth of information and clearly articulates what you need to know when you take to a trail near you.

Chloe has shared several excellent links as you prepare for the trail. We talk about "Don't be that guy" on the podcast, so check out these links

Don't Be That Guy:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuekIhaoBuWaLCkXWvhdoFy8ag5sGOLxt

Thru-Hiker Registration (AT Camp) Link:

https://atcamp.org/

A.T. L.N.T. Online Awareness Course:

http://atc-training.org/lnt/

A.T. Recommended Food Storage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6LnIl-Gt8U&feature=youtu.be

In today's show, I also mention an email I had from a listener, Frances Youngblood, drawing my attention to an event happening in Lebanon, MO on April 25th. On that Saturday Frances' friend, Tracey Sheets, will be holding a program to introduce foster children (ages 14-20) to the outdoors.

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP. We're trying to get new or gently used hiking books into the hands of these youngsters and, if you can help, please sign them on the inside, telling who you are and where you're from so that these young people have some connection to you and to the great outdoors. Please mail them to Tracey Sheets, PO Box 751, Ozark, MO 65721. Thanks for your help.

Finally, Paul Stutzman's epic journey comes to an end as he stands on top of Katahdin. It's been a blast.

It's a fabulous show this week, not least because we have Mr. Fabulous, or Derick Lugo, as the main guest. Derick hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2012 and has earned himself a reputation as a speaker about the trail, as well as a growing recognition as a writer. His new book, The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, is now available at his website and on Amazon.

You can connect with Derick in a variety of ways.

Website: https://www.dericklugo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derick.lugo

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

The short story of his hike with his brother–The Trail Brothers–can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR21w5qi-B8

Another fabulous guest is April Mae, who Steve spoke with following a post that she made on Facebook. Her story is illuminating and inspiring. The pictures below show April's "Before" and "After" pics. Her story is a testimony to the power of hiking and its beneficial effects upon both the body and the psyche.

Don't forget to check out our sponsors, Hiker Medals, at https://www.hikermedals.com/. We've been delighted to have had them on the show these past few weeks.

Also, if you'd like to support the various shows on the Hiking Radio Network, you can find the donate button at the podcasts page on the Mighty Blue site: https://mightyblueontheat.com/the-podcast/

Finally, today, Paul Stutzman stands on the edge of glory, tackling the 100-Mile Wilderness as he prepares for Katahdin.

A packed show this week, with about 90 minutes of goodness!!

Rory Anderson, or Bigfoot, is this week's main guest. Rory is an accomplished hiker, having completed the Appalachian Trail in 2016. He has done several other trails and recently broke the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Superior Hiking Trail. As Rory stresses, he's not superhuman; he's just a very determined guy with a plan. He and Steve talk about ultra-lite backpacking and the never-ending quest to shave off a few extra pounds from your pack.

You can follow Bigfoot's YouTube channel, called Follow Bigfoot, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkA3z-lSyEg6ZN-BqMy6wow

For his FKT Superior Hiking Trail video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKjmG0QkGTs

His FKT gear list is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B-Je29UhWI

In this podcast, Rory also talks about his passion for Halloween and shares a video of his 2019 haunt at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_B-cvQ5mik It is well worth watching!!

Steve also chats with Wim Schalken of Hiker Medals, the sponsor for today's show. You can find out more about Wim's awesome project at https://www.hikermedals.com/

Paul Stream, of The Barn in Gorham, tells us about his hostel in Maine, which you can find at https://www.libbyhouseinn.com/

In Steve's reading of Paul Stutzman's Hiking Through, Paul has an unlikely encounter....with a giant rabbit!!

We're almost at the end of my series on hostels, so Neville Harris, the owner of my favorite hostel on the trail, Woods Hole, was a great person to chat with. The interview took me in an entirely unexpected direction, but it revealed Neville to be a true AT character, flaws and all.

You can learn more about the hostel by visiting http://woodsholehostel.com/

Neville's photos by Lisa VonLuehrte. Find Lisa on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/livonphotography/

We also spoke with Matthew "Odie" Norman in advance of the publication of his much-awaited Hiker Year Book for 2019. It is particularly much-awaited by yours truly, as I'll be in it, having missed out on the 2014 edition!!

Check out Odie's page at https://hikeryearbook.com/

And we introduced you to Hiker Medals, who you can learn about at https://www.hikermedals.com/. Thanks so much for the support, guys. Check out my own medal, below.

Finally, Paul Stutzman has reached the last two states, normally the crowning glory of a northbound hike. Yet Paul's experience turned out to be a very soggy time indeed.