Time to hit the trail again!  Monson was a wonderful place to rest and recover after the Hundred Mile Wilderness, and as you’ve already heard, a lot went on while we were there!

In this episode, we now leave Shaw’s and head south - next destination:  the town of Caratunk.  Tune in today to meet the folks who walk with Muse on this next leg of the journey.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680868

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

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Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Time to say farewell to Wayfinder, as Muse spends his final day in Monson.  That day is action-packed, with the ride to the airport, a Summer Solstice party and a whole new cast of characters for the next segment of this narrative.  Listen in to hear all about how it went. 

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680867

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Today we sit down with Daddy Long Legs, who Wayfinder and Muse met at the first shelter in the Hundred Mile Wilderness!  They would later cross paths with her in Monson, and then Muse would reunite with her at Devil’s Backbone in Virginia, and again this year at Trail Days.

Listen in to get the inside scoop on why Daddy Long Legs hikes, her hiking origins on the Pacific Crest Trail and, of course, the story of her 2025 SoBo hike on the Appalachian Trail!

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Follow Muse on Instagram: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

In this episode’s trail journal entry, Muse reads the original announcement of Wayfinder’s departure from the trail. Listen as father and daughter hike their final three miles together on this adventure—leaving Shaw’s Hiker Hostel via shuttle back to where they exited the Hundred Mile Wilderness to walk back in from the other end of Monson. 

Having touched on Wayfinder’s transition off-trail in earlier episodes, this week's commentary fills in a few details behind the scenes—specifically looking into how the FarOut app functions as a thru-hiker’s lifeline, and an honest look at Muse’s personal fitness journey leading up to, during, and after the 2,200-mile trek. 

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680803

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

And we’re back!

Continuing to enjoy our rest at Shaw’s, in this episode we dive into what town chores look like and what in particular it meant here in Monson to get ready to head back out to the trail.  This is the second of two planned zero days in Monson for Muse and Wayfinder.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680787

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

In this episode, we enjoy a restful and well-deserved zero day in Monson. Tune in to find out what our very first zero day in town was like, and hear a little bit more about the town beyond the property lines of the hostel!

Important Note: This is our final new episode before a planned 4-week mid-summer break. Don't worry, the hike isn't over, and your feed won't be empty! Over the next four weeks, we will be airing special replay episodes of some favorite moments so far. We will be back with brand-new episodes on Monday, July 27th. Use this time to revisit the early days of the trail, and we'll see you back on the journey soon!

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680786

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Today we leave the Hundred Mile Wilderness and begin our stay at Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson, Maine!

In this episode, Muse paints a picture of what it’s like to rest your feet at Shaw’s, from the layout of the buildings on property to the various services, vibe, and culture that make this hostel a legendary stop on the Appalachian Trail. Tune in to learn more. 

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680747

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

As we left our heroes (Muse and Wayfinder 🙂) on the verge of entering the awesome trail town of Monson, Maine, let’s break from the story again for another great interview!

On the show today are none other than the owners of the legendary Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson - Hippie Chick and Poet! We get to hear their wisdom on hiking, uncover the backstory of their AT journey, and take a backstage look at what it takes to support so many thru-hikers. 

Connect with the Journey

Check out Shaw’s Hiker Hostel online: http://www.shawshikerhostel.com

Follow Muse on Instagram: @musehikes

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Monson, Maine is a place where many AT stories intersect. In this episode, we sit down with MargotPolo, the very first SloBo to cross paths with Wayfinder and Muse.

We ground our conversation right there in Monson before tracking MargotPolo’s incredible journey up to that point and forward from there—eventually meeting Ratatouille and Utogg and officially joining the SloBos, where we later will push all the way to the southern terminus at Springer Mountain together!

Connect with the Journey

Follow Muse on Instagram: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

In this episode, we catch back up with Trash Panda and Loins of Arabia, as the crew receives their food drop!

Join Muse reflecting for a look into this fun interlude with Wayfinder, Metronome, Michaela, Chaps, Sunshine, Caveman and Dunk.

And check out SillyPutty’s band SlopTart life from West Philly! https://youtu.be/MOeTfVEhxTA?si=I_tdbQ1UKozDGPkW

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680624

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Support Our Sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ