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

John was a lot of fun to interview. He's also clearly a joyous hiker, despite hiking in 2003, one of the five wettest years on record. He gives back to the trail with his annual trail magic on Labor Day in Maine. Additionally, he heads a bunch of guys known as the "Fat Guys Back in The Woods." Wouldn't you want to be in that little group? If you do, or even if you'd like to chat with him about it or even join his trail magic spectacular, you can email him directly at [email protected]. Don't forget to leave any comments for me at the website, on iTunes, or on Stitcher. Email me directly at [email protected], if you'd prefer. You can also get a FREE copy of my ebook, Hiking The Appalachian Trail Is Easy: Especially If You've Never Hiked Before by visiting my author's website, steveadams.info. I hope you like the new cover.

In 2016, Kaiha Bertollini, the Wild Card Ninja, laid claim to the unsupported hike record on the Appalachian Trail. This, despite no previous experience as an elite athlete or even any indication that she might be able to take such an endurance test on. The response in the hiking world was almost uniformly negative and very hostile. Kaiha agreed to tell me her story and, whether you believe her or not, it is gripping and worthy of an audience. The interview is not explicit, but her story on her website, hikeforourlives.org is certainly not for children. That said, I urge people to read what she has to say. She can be reached through the website under the contact page and will respond personally to every message. I'd also love to hear what you have to say about Kaiha and the interview. If you click here, you'll be linked to the visceral video I referred to in the interview. It left a lasting impression upon me. The language is very strong, so beware once more. Don't forget to rate us on iTunes or leave me a message at my website, www.mightyblueontheat.com. There, you can listen to all my podcasts, look at a gallery of photographs from my 2014 thru-hike and see some of the videos I made of the trip.

Gabe Burkhardt has hiked on the Appalachian Trail three times: 2014, 2015, and 2016. He completed his thru-hike in 2016 but has covered more than 4,000 miles on the trail. When I hiked with Gabe, in 2014, he was known as Hermes, and his calm intensity left quite an impression upon those around him. Coming back to the trail with the intention of an entire thru-hike in 2016, he charted his course with a truly visceral blog, named Almost Unsalvageable. He has a bunch of his artwork on the site and I've included a couple of examples at my website, mightyblueontheat.com, in the show notes for this episode (for some reason, these pics don't get shown on iTunes or Stitcher). The first one is of Gabe on the sign at Katahdin, the second is a picture of the indispensable Miss Janet, while the third is a terrific representation of the AT sign, made from the equally indispensable Snickers!! You can also contact Gabe at [email protected] and he'd be delighted to give you any assistance that he can. Don't forget to rate the show on iTunes and Stitcher with a review and a few kind words (or even what you really think!!) about the show.

Gary Sizer is a former US Marine who hiked the AT in 2014. We never met on the trail, but we are now Facebook friends. Gary wrote a book about his experiences and while that is going really well, his current claim to fame is an amazing picture posted on Reddit that shows the devastating effects that the AT can have on a hiker's body. Gary is a good sport for allowing this to be shown here, though, as it has been seen more than 3,000,000 times, it might be regarded as a trifle late to keep it under wraps!! There are a bunch of ways to contact Gary and share his story. His books (Kindle, paperback and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. He's accessible on Twitter and Facebook, as well as at his website, wheresthenextshelter If you'd like to follow me, I'm also on Twitter and Facebook and you can find all the podcasts, plus videos and photographs, at my website mightyblueontheat

Francisco Miller was one of the funniest guys I met on the trail. Consistently cheerful, we met him in New Hampshire and hiked with or around him for several hundred miles. His story continued after the Appalachian Trail, culminating in a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail in 2016, having chalked up the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015. He is articulate on the subject of hiking and will happily respond to any questions that hikers may have. He can be contacted directly at [email protected]. His pictures, particularly those he posted this year from the Continental Divide Trail, can be seen on Instagram at kk_hikes. Check those out; I guarantee you won't be disappointed. The picture below is one of me and Karate Kid in Maine, at the top of a mountain, with just two weeks to go. He's watching me fill my face with a whole jar of peanut butter. Don't forget to leave a comment on either iTunes, Stitcher or even on my website.

This is an extra special episode.

Stacey Kozel was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 19 years and has fought a battle against it ever since. Not wishing to be defined by her disability, Stacey embraced the challenge of a complete thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. She was fitted with sophisticated braces, controlled by microprocessors, that allowed her to achieve the unthinkable. Stacey is a powerful advocate for the battle against lupus and is happy to speak with anybody who wants to know about her hike or the disease.

It was a privilege to be able to speak with Stacey and to find a funny, determined woman who never wants to regret not having tried her best. On her Facebook page, she is wearing a T-shirt that says "Living. It's the only thing worth dying for." And so say all of us.

Stacey can be contacted by email at [email protected]

Steve Walker set out to hike the A.T. earlier this year with the intention of reaching Maine by October. On the way, he shared his stories and his thoughts regarding the trail, in a regular series of videos uploaded to YouTube. He attracted over 1500 subscribers, and his gentle, measured delivery was compelling.

For me, Steve's finest moment was his unexpected bear encounter. Here is the link https://youtu.be/ig_79TOKJjI It cracked me up. The bear comes onto the scene at about three minutes. Enjoy.

Steve can be contacted at [email protected]. He'd be happy to share advice and speak with hikers he met and one's he may have missed.

This week, I introduced a new little segment, called "If I did it again." These are things I may have changed were I to hike the AT again. If any listeners have their own improvements to this magical hike, please let me know. You can contact me at [email protected] and don't forget to get the free ebook on my writing site, at [email protected]. If you enjoy that, I hope you then move on to the two books of my hike.

See you all next week.

One of the most recognizable figures I met on the trail, Grizz gave me some really helpful advice in those early miles. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Santa Claus, pulling out the great man's hat on several occasions to keep us amused. He is full of knowledge about the trail and will happily respond if you'd like to email him. He can be reached at [email protected]. He is a great resource.

I was entirely unable to figure out how to attach his spreadsheet (mentioned in the podcast), so drop him an email and I'm sure he'll be happy to send it to you.

Maud and Cesar hiked their "thorough hike" in 2001, spending more than a year on the trail. They were determined to squeeze every last experience from the Appalachian Trail, covering the nearly 2,200 miles across all four seasons.

Their dog, Trudy, joined them and turned out to be the star of their movie. I particularly liked the way in which Cesar "helped" Trudy cross a river! For trail historians, the movie contains the added bonus of an interview with trail legend, Earl Shaffer. If you'd like to see it, contact Cesar at [email protected], or visit www.thethoroughhikers.com.

Don't forget to upload my free ebook, HikingThe Appalachian Trail Is Easy: Especially If You've Never Hiked Before. You can get it by visiting www.steveadams.info

Sam is an all-round good guy who would be happy to speak with anybody he met on the trail or anybody who just wants another perspective about life on the trail. His joyous approach to camping and hiking will inspire anybody who thinks they can't do the Appalachian Trail. Email him at [email protected].

Also, don't forget to take advantage of my free ebook, Hiking The Appalachian Trail Is Easy: Especially If You've Never Hiked Before. Pick it up at my author website www.steveadams.info

Lastly, please email me with any comments, both good and bad, at [email protected], or leave me a review on iTunes. I really appreciate the support.