Shows
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #446 - Dr Daniel Warren on Lyme DiseaseDr Daniel Warren is our guest this week, with a subject very close to the heart of a hiker; Lyme Disease. I try my best to pick his brain and learn a little bit more about this pernicious disease, which is on the rise throughout the country. He sent me several papers to inform my questions, so I believe that you’ll gain a lot from our conversation. If you have any questions about this conversation, email me at steve@hikingradionetwork.com and I’ll forward your question to Daniel. If you’d like to...2024-08-151h 32
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #11 - The Pause & Platinum-Blazing 2.0Platinum-Blazing 2.0 - The Pause This week RTK discusses the progress of the podcast and the need to take a break – to pause the podcast for a few weeks so a new and improved and better organized podcast and continue in the future. MERRY CHRISTMAS RTK send his Christmas greetings, including this song by the Goo Goo Dolls as a message for these crazy times. https://youtu.be/mjYhpBc1U8g?si=B8yUqbKTo_xWrhU5 Donate to Mighty Blue: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/support/ Podcaster - Br...2023-12-1309 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #10 - David Kibiloski, Stumble Inn & AT KidsDavid Kibiloski, Stumble Inn & AT Kids Inspired by a 2018 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, David (“Texas”) and his wife Danielle (“Stumbles”) located a great property for a hostel in Front Royal, Virginia. Renovating the ground floor, Texas and Stumbles created a wonderful home-away-from-home for tired hikers, which has everything a hiker may want or need, which they call the “Stumble Inn.” Not only did David and Danielle want to stay connected with the hiker community and give back by running a not-for-profit hostel, but they created a venture they named “AT Kids” to help introduce y...2023-12-0630 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #9 - Rebecca James & Burke's Garden HostelAfter completing a section hike of the AT in 2009, the allure of the Trail stayed with Rebecca James (trail name “Cantelope”). When the time was right for a geographic move, she kept her eyes on proximity to the AT and settled into Burke’s Garden, Virginia - a slice of heaven much of the world passes by. When the right property became available, the dream of serving AT hikers became a reality - just 3/4 of a mile from an AT trailhead and operated by Rebecca with her son Brad or “Bags.” While new...2023-11-2941 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #8 - Bob Campbell and Gulf HagasBob Campbell This week we speak with Mainer Bob Campbell - an experienced local hiker having marched through the 100-Mile Wilderness ten times, summited Katahdin 70 times, and now dreaming of a time for a thru-hike of the entire AT. Bob gives listeners an overview of the Gulf Hagas hike in northern Maine just off the AT in the HMW. Hopefully this introduction to what Platinum Blazing the Appalachian Trail identifies as the best platinum blue-blaze hike along the AT will help hikers sset their sights on this wonderful experience. We...2023-11-2245 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #7 - Warren Doyle (Part II)Warren Doyle This is a continuation of RTK’s interview with Warren Doyle - a true legend, sometimes more infamous, but if you listen fairly, we think you’ll find much to be inspired by. (RTK’s own thru-hike was inspired by Warren.) Warren went on to complete more circuits of the Appalachian Trail than any other person - 18 times he has gone end-to-end on a thru-hike or a section hike. The FKT, which Warren refers to as an “endurance” record. has been broken many times, but his record of 18 AT completions is likely to...2023-11-1552 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #6 - Warren Doyle (Part I)Warren Doyle This week RTK interviews a legend - some might say a famous character, some might say infamous - Warren Doyle. RTK’s own thru-hike was inspired by Warren and you’ll hear a little about that. Warren had just set a new “FKT” for completing a supported thru-hike, when RTK attended a presentation of that accomplishment. Warren sent on to complete more circuits of the Appalachian Trail than any other person - 18 times he has gone end-to-end on a thru-hike or a section hike. The FKT, which Warren refers to as an “endu...2023-11-0837 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #5 - Paul Fuller & Caratunk HousePAUL FULLER & CARATUNK HOUSE In 1990 Paul “One Braid” Fuller completed his first thru-hike - this one of the Appalachian Trail. After two thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail and another hike of the AT, Paul started Caratunk House, a hiker hostel in Caratunk, Maine - just a few steps north of the Kennebec River and just a few steps off the AT. After serving hikers for many years, Paul closed the hostel for a few years but was drawn back to his passion for helping hikers in 2016. After a number of additional years of r...2023-11-0128 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #4 - Katahdin: History and GratitudeAlmost every thru-hiker has great expectations for Mt. Katahdin located in Baxter State Park in Maine. Many have the impression that Baxter is all about rules and regulations - even potentially limiting the number of thru-hikers permitted to summit. In this podcast, RTK tries to show how the thru-hike experience gave him a greater sense of appreciation and gratitude for people and circumstances in his life - and that such gratitude impacted his attitude about, and thus his enjoyment of Baxter State Park, Mt. Katahdin, and completing his thru-hike. As he discusses, without the generosity of men like Percival...2023-10-2531 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #3 - Doug Douma & SOLASOLA Hostel - Appalachian Christian Retreat Douglas Douma (trailname, Banzai) is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, and Sangre de Cristo Seminary. He is an ordained minister in the Bible Presbyterian Church and pastor of Unionville Presbyterian Church in Unionville, New York. Doug is also author of “The Presbyterian Philosopher – The Authorized Biography of Gordon H. Clark.” He completed a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2013 and 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016. He enjoys reading theology, woodworking in his workshop, and occasionally traveling to remote places. He came up with the id...2023-10-1844 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #2 - Josh SuttonJosh, Cassie, and Harvey Sutton live in Lynchburg, VA. Known on Instagram as LiveSutton, they promote “Live life fully!" Josh, Cassie, and Harvey have done just that. After realizing that a healthy retirement wasn't guaranteed, they decided to restructure their life to one filled with extraordinary stories by taking mini-retirements throughout their life. After having their son Harvey in 2016, they began saving for their first mini-retirement in 2021, to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail as a family. Harvey would be 4 years old when they began in January 2021 and finished at 5 years 4 months old. After thru-hiking the East Coast, they have go...2023-10-1140 min
The Platinum Blazing PodcastEpisode #1 - The Who, What, Where, & How of Platinum BlazingWelcome to Episode # 1 of the Platinum Blazing Podcast. A new podcast in the Hiking Radio Network hosted by Bruce “RTK” Matson. This episode is an introduction to “Platinum Blazing” - it's about “The Who, What, Where & How of Platinum Blazing.” In this episode we hear an interesting story about how the origins of Platinum Blazing go back to northern Spain and RTK’s time on the Camino de Santiago. You can get a copy of Bruce’s memoir about that pilgrimage - The Road to Find Out: A Modern Pilgrim & the Camino de Santiago on Amazon or by emailing the author at pla...2023-09-2832 min
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #393 - Laura Howe (Moonpants)We have a newly minted Appalachian Trail thru-hiker as our main guest on the show today. Laura Howe, or Moonpants, took on the trail with gusto. Near the end, she had a terrifying river crossing that eventually necessitated an SOS call. She made it, but had an up-close look at how things can go quickly wrong. Her can-do attitude shines through our conversation and, despite her untimely premature exit, she was able to get back on and finish the hike. You can follow Laura through Instagram at https://instagram.com/moonpants...2023-09-281h 24
"Jester" Section HikerMachelle Brown - Woods Hole WeekendMachelle Brown chats with "Jester" from Woods Hole Hostel to share her experience, thoughts, and takeaways from the "Woods Hole Weekend." Please visit www.woodsholehostel.com to find out more information about the "Woods Hole Weekend". You will see bios about the presenters and the itinerary with the topics we talked about to help you prepare for your hike on the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for listening and Happy Section Hiking! Connect with Machelle Brown: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machelle_brown/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...2020-10-2429 min
The Trail Dames PodcastEpisode #68 Lagniappe - The Wide, Wonderful World of Hiking PodcastsIn this month's lagniappe, Anna shares her favorite hiking and outdoor podcasts with you all. As you'd imagine, The Hiking Radio Network is featured fairly heavily, but there is plenty of other great stuff to listen to. Try a few of them out! Links- All the best podcasts - https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/ Mighty Blue's show - https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/ Jester’s Section Hiking Podcast - https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/jester-section-hiker/ Dixie LIVE on the CDT - https://www...2020-09-0816 min
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #225 - Keith Foskett (Fozzie)We've got quite the show today, coming in at over 90 minutes. There's something for everybody, with Keith Foskett, one of the best writers on hiking, sharing his stories and hikes with wit and introspection. We'll be having his Balancing on Blue as our next book on the podcast, so it was great hearing about how he developed as both a hiker and writer. If you want to learn more about Keith or buy some of his books, you can go to his website, https://www.keithfoskett.com/ where you'll find links to each book, his...2020-07-021h 31Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #217 - Sarah Jones Decker (Harvest)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...2020-05-071h 14
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #152 - Appalachian Trail (RTK interviews Mighty Blue)Bruce Matson (RTK) asks Mighty Blue listeners’ questions, with subjects ranging from interesting characters, food, a comparison between his two AT hikes to lessons learned. 2019-05-1437 min
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #150 - Appalachian Trail (Days 65 to 67)It has been an epic few days, with the Virginia Triple Crown of Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs now behind us. Once more, new and old friends have shared these extraordinary moments and we’re all grateful for the times we’ve shared together. If you have any questions for me, please send them to Bruce Matson–who will be interviewing me in the next week or so–at rtkchallenge@gmail.com. Bruce will send the best questioners a copy of his new book Platinum Blazing the Appalachian Trail. 2019-05-0427 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #132 - Megan Dolman (Giggles) and Mark Bychowski (Pepperjack)When Megan (from the UK) and Mark (an American) started their respective hikes on March 5, 2018, neither could have imagined how their lives were about to change. They met that first day–Megan was the very first person who Mark met on the trail–and started hiking together the following morning. Their meeting and the unfolding of their hike reflects the serendipity of the Appalachian Trail and they summited together five months later. When they had finished, Mark put together this short video of their hike at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAHFsEhANt0 while Megan blogg...2019-02-211h 22Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #124 - Greg Behrens (GBolt)One of our sister shows on the Hiking Radio Network, Returning to Katahdin, featured Bruce Matson's successful attempt to fulfill his 44-year dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Greg Behrens accompanied Bruce for much of the last two states in this journey. Each man had a significant impact on the success of the other man's hike. Greg felt called to the trail and discovered much, not only about himself but also the trail. He formed new friendships, strengthened an already strong faith, and was able to get to the end through a combination of both.2018-12-271h 15Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #119 - DarwinDarwin is a relatively new thru-hiker, having hit and completed the Appalachian Trail in 2015. Yet his YouTube channel is hugely popular, with over 135,000 subscribers at the time of writing. His articulate, information-laden content is of great help to hikers old and new. Darwin and his wife, Snuggles, sold most of their belongings in 2014 and radically altered their lifestyle, preferring to travel constantly as they had adventures. While the two of them shared the Appalachian Trail thru-hike, for Snuggles it was a "one and done" deal. So now, with Darwin on various trails, Snuggles writes and...2018-11-221h 16
Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #45 - Four weeks laterWe always planned to have this final episode, so it was great to catch up with Bruce in such good spirits after his epic journey. He'd been home for a month and was starting to absorb what he'd done, yet his stresses from "normal" life were piling up once more. We spoke about what he'd learned and how he felt after his journey, with some words from Cheryl to give another perspective. I couldn't be happier that we followed Bruce. Like Jessa, last year, he was an interesting person who articulated the ups...2018-10-0151 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #44 - Week Twenty SevenAs all things must do, the end was in sight as Bruce set off into the 100 Mile Wilderness last week. I didn't hear from him again until Saturday evening when he had summited Katahdin and fulfilled his 44-year dream to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. There is plenty of time for Bruce to draw his conclusions of a journey that had kept him occupied, away from his beloved family for half a year. This episode is going to follow the pattern of all the others, with his stories on the trail, his thoughts about aspects of hi...2018-09-0339 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #43 - Week Twenty SixBruce is now within a week of Katahdin, at Monson, preparing for the 100 Mile Wilderness. By the time you hear this show, he'll be in the wilderness and out of touch, reflecting on the beauty he has seen. He and his buddy, GBolt have decided to load up six days of food and enjoy the wilderness without interruption or food drop. It is hard to believe that the journey is almost over, yet the culmination of Bruce's 44-year dream concludes next Saturday, September 1 as he climbs Katahdin with Cheryl. We also...2018-08-2729 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #42 - Week Twenty FiveWith just a couple of weeks left on the trail, Bruce reassesses his difficulty rating after his New Hampshire and Maine experience. Recon has sustained an injury that forced him from the trail, leaving Bruce and Gbolt together as they contemplate the 100-Mile Wilderness. They intend to use their time in the Wilderness to reflect upon what they have achieved so far. We also got a great question from Patrick Sackrider about how impactful a thru-hike might have been on Bruce and me had we done it in our 20s as opposed to our 60s. It...2018-08-2030 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #41 - Week Twenty FourBruce is in the last state–Maine. He has already gone through the Mahoosuc Notch, a kind of rocky jigsaw puzzle, where you work out the best route as you move through it. The pictures in these notes are taken by Bruce and feature his two hiking compadres, Gbolt and Recon. He felt the need to hike with other people, partly out of safety reasons but also because he wanted to share his hike with other people. Many hikers team up with a trail family, or "tramily," for the majority of their journey but Bruce has...2018-08-1325 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #40 - Week Twenty ThreeBruce has been in one of my favourite parts of the trail; The White Mountains in New Hampshire. As always, he has researched his subject and knew what to expect. Consequently, he has had a tough time that he knew was coming. The weather doesn't always cooperate–and it didn't for Bruce–but the scenery, when you find it, is hard to beat. He even had fairly decent weather as he crossed the second-highest point of the trail, Mt Washington. With the Whites pretty much now behind him, he is looking forward to the last great...2018-08-0628 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #39 - Week Twenty TwoWith twelve states in his rearview mirror, Bruce has started New Hampshire. As he alludes to in the show, this is a moment that makes you bring Katahdin into clearer focus and, in of itself, it is a huge achievement. For a man who REALLY plans, he hasn't considered his sleeping arrangements in New Hampshire, a critical consideration due to the expensive system of AMC Huts. I was able to send Bruce a link to those stealth sites. If you'd like to see them, click here. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2...2018-07-3026 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #38 - Week Twenty OneWith Bruce hiking in the lurking shadow of Mt Killington and Vermont, we caught up this week. His mood had turned around from his "Banana Pudding Moment" and, probably critically, he was hiking in more conducive weather. The oppressive heat of the previous week or so had dissipated and he was well back on track. We had a great question from Barb Oelschlegel about what constitutes the optimal trail magic and Bruce revealed his bug strategy which is, to say the least, surprising. We hope that you take the opportunity to support our sponsor, Trailtopia, wh...2018-07-2325 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #37 - Week TwentyThis past week, Bruce put up a post on his blog that, for the first time, revealed some of the insecurities that can come with a long-distance hike. While we spoke about his latest progress on the trail–he has just passed Mile 1600–we also looked at that "Banana Pudding" moment that almost derailed his hike. The post can be found at this link. http://www.rtkchallenge.com/2018/07/11/week-19-my-banana-pudding-moment/ When I asked him if he would have made any changes to his preparation for the hike, he mentioned that he had changed his camp shoe...2018-07-1634 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #36 - Week NineteenBruce spent several days off the trail this week. He has family in Connecticut and spent a couple of days with them, then a day hike with his daughter Amy and a family member. Though not in the interview, he also shared with Steve the extent of the damage that the rocks of Pennsylvania and, to a lesser extent, New Jersey and New York, had done to his psyche. This is a subject we will discuss in next week's show, though I'm aware that the main reason he probably "confessed" to this is that these d...2018-07-0936 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #35 - Week EighteenBruce and his daughter, Brook, shared a couple of days hiking in New York this week. So, after chatting with Bruce, I also had a word with Brooke about her father's almost serene progress. Water has started to become more scarce, with planning vital to avoid a parched six or seven miles. Bruce has found great value in the Guthooks Guide on his phone, with updates on where water can–and can't–be found. He also realized that the rocks weren't quite finished yet! Eric Tomorrow came up with this week's quest...2018-07-0237 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #34 - Week SeventeenHoping for somewhat of a respite from Pennsylvania, Bruce had a tough time in one of the New York sections, skipping it temporarily when the forecast showed 100% chance of rain. As always, his instincts seemed spot on, and he has made it up and over Bear Mountain, one of the bigger climbs in New York. We discuss the differences between hiking the AT now and hiking it back in the 40s and 50s, prompted by a smart question from one of our listeners. Then, in a couple of quickfire questions, Bruce came up with his...2018-06-2539 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #33 - Week SixteenBruce invited yet another guest hiker to join him on his journey. The only problem might be that Pennsylvania isn't the easiest place to get your trail legs. Further, combining the climb up out of Lehigh Gap AND the Knife's Edge isn't exactly Amateur Hour. As always with Bruce, his preparations and expectations were geared towards this and he handled it all really well. Having successfully maintained his hike through Pennsylvania, Bruce got an early taste of the unexpectedly beautiful New Jersey; still rocks but glorious views all around. He also s...2018-06-1833 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #32 - Week FifteenWith Bruce deep into Pennsylvania, Steve was expecting this week to have been especially challenging for him. However, just as he's faced every adversity in the past, Bruce has managed his way through the rocks and reached Port Clinton. He's even seen more wildlife. While he is nowhere near finished with the state (or, perhaps, the state has nowhere finished with him), he has invited a buddy to hike with him on the notorious Knife's Edge and the exciting but challenging climb up from Lehigh Gap. I forgot to thank Samuel Cu...2018-06-1127 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #31 - Week FourteenNow back into the swing of things, Bruce has passed the halfway mark and is into Pennsylvania. He hasn't been fully tested by the rocks yet but has had a few early "tasters" to give him some idea of what is to come. He has at last seen some wildlife, so Bruce and Steve discuss the beauty of animals in the wild. From the sublime to the ridiculous, he also took part in the time-honored tradition of the Half-Gallon Challenge. Thanks to Annie Chavent for her question about how, or whether, B...2018-06-0437 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #30 - Week ThirteenBruce breezes past the 1,000-mile marker and reaches Harpers Ferry, the traditional halfway spot on the AT. He and Steve discuss returning to the trail the compartmentalization of his hike and his home life. He continues to drop weight and the picture below really pushes that home. Looks like a new pair of shorts will soon be needed. Bruce also realized that too long away from the trail in the middle of a through hike is not a good idea, and he was ready to return after a week at home. Still, as y...2018-05-2831 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #29 - Week TwelveBruce and Steve took the opportunity this week to reflect on his journey so far. He has been home for a week for his daughter Brooke's graduation and used the time to rest, spend time with friends and make changes to his pack. We discuss Bruce's choice of start date and the weather that he faced, the prospect of adding an umbrella to his gear, and the true meaning of Trail Magic. We hope that you consider supporting our sponsor, Trailtopia, when you consider your next backpacking trip. Go to https://www.trailtopia.com/ to...2018-05-2135 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #28 - Week ElevenThis week, Bruce had a shorter time on the trail, leaving last Friday to return home for his daughter's graduation and Mother's Day. He spent part of the week hiking in Shenandoah National Park with a buddy from home. It was an easier week than most, but he heads home with more than 900 miles hiked and his plans going as he'd hoped. Bruce will return after a week or so at home, so next week's show will have his reflections on those first 900 miles. If you'd like to follow more of Bruce's story, why not...2018-05-1421 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #27 - Week TenBruce continues to shed weight as he pushes past the 800-mile mark with his boundless enthusiasm and positivity. Having come to his home state of Virginia, he is joined on the trail with Cheryl, his wife, along with a few more friends. They recently hiked together up to the iconic MacAfee Knob, taking in Tinker Cliffs as a wonderful extra bonus for the day. You can see the weight loss on Bruce in this great shot with Cheryl. A few miles further along, after MacAfee Knob, the wonderful Tinker Cliffs afford...2018-05-0736 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #26 - Week NineBruce seems to be gaining strength from losing weight and gaining his trail legs after 700 miles on the trail. He is even making his friends give him a double take when they come and visit him. This week, he and Steve share their experiences at Dragon's Tooth, with the dreaded climb down a strong memory for Steve. Bruce seemed to take that in his stride, though he talks of the previous couple of miles and the angular rocks that he encountered. With Cheryl and some friends visiting him this weekend, he is set...2018-04-3024 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #25 - Week EightSpring appears to be constantly derailed by late winter blasts on the Appalachian Trail this year but Bruce's spirit remains high. The two of us caught up twice this week, and by the second time he had reached Pearisburg. Each week I've been noticing that his confidence has grown and he has come through his baptism of snow with a renewed enthusiasm. Bruce visited the Woods Hole Hostel, a place that I missed but one around which he deliberately planned his trip. He wasn't disappointed by what he found. 2018-04-2339 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #24 - Week SevenBruce and Steve caught up just once this week, but it was just in time to catch him celebrating a big milestone in his hike. He is now hiking well, the weather is warming, and his weight is plummeting. He has gone through the gorgeous Grayson Highlands (above)–ponies and all–and is embracing all aspects of his hike. Steve and Bruce discuss the beauty of the area, as Steve reminisces about the area and gives Bruce something of a preview of the next few days. Despite the fact that he has pa...2018-04-1624 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #23 - Week SixBruce has reached Damascus and is resting for a couple of zero days, taking in the Masters Golf Tournament on TV at the same time. He is expressing confidence in what he has learned on the trail to this stage and feels that Damascus is the end of the beginning. We talk about his Winter Supplement; those items specifically chosen to help him cope with the cold should there be any. So far, snow, rain, and cold have been the predominant weather characteristics, so he remains grateful to his preparation. Don't forget to follow Bruce's Y...2018-04-0931 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #22 - Week FiveBruce has certainly had his share of lousy weather so far but he has remained upbeat most of the time. We caught up with him twice again and he experienced the unpredictable nature of weather in the mountains. He noticed the first signs of an imminent Spring and even ran into my old buddy from the Fat Guys group last year, Vagabond Jack. Bruce is now hiking around one of my favorite spots on the trail; both north and south from Carvers Gap. He posted a great picture of the spruce forest on the top of U...2018-04-0237 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #21 - Week FourWe had a few communications problems this week, with dropped calls, interrupted sessions and even the mowing crew outside my home causing a few editing difficulties. Despite this, Bruce is making strong progress, passing the 300 mile mark and well past Hot Springs. To give you some idea of the weather that he has faced, this photo shows his tent after a nighttime snowfall. It has not all been cold days and nights. When we spoke on Tuesday, Bruce had found a good spot to chat on the top of Snowbird Mountain. ...2018-03-2637 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #79 - Maria Wishart (Wheezy Pee)For Maria Wishart, hiking the Appalachian Trail became part of her life and, when she could no longer drive the distances required to get her AT "fix," her solution was to move to a more convenient spot on the trail. Maria and her husband had shared most of those hiking miles but after the move, her husband was constrained by work, so Maria started hiking on her own. But Maria's story is much more than another hiker doing the trail in sections. She got into hiking when she set foot on the trail for the...2018-03-221h 12Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #20 - Week ThreeBy Friday of this week I hadn't heard from Bruce and, knowing that there was some fiercely cold weather in the region, I was starting to get a little concerned for him. I needn't have worried. He's about as prepared as a man could be for this journey and eventually got through to me at lunchtime on Friday. In the meantime, I had spoken with his lovely daughter, Brooke. She has spent the previous weekend with her father on his journey and they had had a blast. You can see from the photos...2018-03-1943 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #19 - Week TwoMy first conversation with Bruce on this week was when he was halfway up Albert Mountain, at the 100-mile point. He had already experienced a tough climb out of Bly Gap and felt that it had been tougher. What he didn't know at the time was that it is the second part of the Albert Mountain Climb that really tests you. He sounded really well and a few pictures from his Facebook page endorsed that view. He was happy with the way his gear was working and all his choices were performing as...2018-03-1235 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #18 - Week OneI was able to catch up twice with Bruce this week. He's made solid progress and is, not surprisingly for this "man with a plan," precisely where he’d planned to be at this stage. He had anticipated that his second night on the trail would establish his mindset that he was really in the woods for an extended period of time. For that evening, he found himself stealth camping, with a gorgeous view, along with several other hikers. The journey was really on and this was his view that evening. There then followed a per...2018-03-0537 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #17 - It begins!!It has been a long time coming but Bruce is finally on his way. I spoke with him, along with his wife Cheryl on Saturday, 24 February as they prepared to hit the Approach Trail at Amicolola Falls State Park. All the preparation had lead to this and Bruce was ready to go. How lovely it must have been for him when two listeners of the show, Robert and Margaret Thomas showed up to wish them Happy Trails. What a kind gesture that was. After taking in the atmosphere at the bottom of the mountain and r...2018-02-2628 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #16 - The Final CountdownWith just seven days to go, Bruce and Steve have a longer-than-normal chat about his going-away party, his final thoughts and wishes for his journey, as well as some of the ramifications that his hike may have on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. While I had found him to be stressed and distracted on his home territory when I visited him in Virginia last Friday, he was completely different when we spoke yesterday (Sunday). He seemed to be thoroughly in the zone and counting his blessings, not least of which were his friends and family who attended last...2018-02-1942 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #15 - Suzanne Dixon (President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy)We have a special guest today. With Bruce continuing the countdown to his departure in less than two weeks, Suzanne Dixon, the new President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, spoke with Steve about the work that she and her great team at ATC are doing. Every hiker who has ever stepped on the AT should be grateful for the sterling work done by the ATC over their nearly-100-year history. Suzanne shares the ongoing work that she and her team are undertaking to make the trail more accessible to a wider diversity of age and...2018-02-1233 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #73 - Ryan Linn (Guthook)Ryan Linn has hiked both the Appalachian Trail (in 2007) and the Pacific Crest Trail (in 2010). He gained a true appreciation of the outdoors after college, combining his love of hiking with various jobs in and around the hiking business. It was while he was on the Pacific Crest Trail that he met his eventual business partner, Paul. They were both unsatisfied with the dearth of good, accessible maps for the long trails, and both saw the potential for smartphones within the hiking community. Starting with the PCT, the business of Guthooks was born. The Appalachian T...2018-02-081h 07Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #14 - Final Gear DecisionsWith less than three weeks to go, Bruce is down to the last few items he wants to complete his pack. These are the things that he has to balance between carrying the extra weight for the additional boost to his hike that they will provide. He is also narrowing down any "luxury" items. With all this talk about hiking and gear, we thought we'd add a few pics of Bruce in the woods (and on a few mountains) and some of the gear he is taking. As you can see below, he's...2018-02-0532 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #13 - Food and ResupplyWith everything coming together, Steve and Bruce turn their attention to the supply, resupply, and the delivery systems that Bruce will take with him with regard to food. He will be receiving packages from home at intervals and decide once he gets to his home state of Virginia whether or not he wants to continue the practice. There are plenty of places to come off the trai, so resupply in towns is a very viable option. Bruce has brought his attention to detail to his selection of items for cooking and filtering his water. His...2018-01-2931 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #12 - The Winter SupplementBruce's planning has included the very real possibility, indeed certainty, that he will face some extreme weather by heading out so early. To that end, he has built a Winter Supplement that brings in certain items that will later be changed when the warmer weather arrives. You can see his Winter Supplement at this Geargram link https://www.geargrams.com/list?id=38901 We discuss the various items and I weigh in on the subject with a number of my experiences in the cold in 2014. Elizabeth McDonough provided Bruce with trhis week's question so...2018-01-2231 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #70 - Jack Masters (Vagabond Jack)Jack Masters is a member of the Class of 2018. While he's been interested in the possibility of hiking the appalachian Trail, a year ago it didn't seem likely. But life changes, and Jack has had a tumultuous year. Despite this, he has taken control of and redirected his life and, in a couple of short weeks, Vagabond Jack will be testing himself once more. He even decided to travel and hitched his wagon to hit the road. I met Jack as a listener to my show. We emailed back and forth and he eventually decided...2018-01-181h 11Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #11 - The Big ThreeWe're on to Bruce's choice of gear, with the Big Three uppermost in his mind. These are the tent, the backpack, and the sleeping bag. As always with Bruce, he has put a lot of thought into these choices. His rationale for his choice of tent came from a remark of an REI employee. Always worth listening to the experts! Bruce chose his tent of a couple of years, the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. There is now an updated model. His backpack, the Osprey Atmos AG 65L, consistently rates very hi...2018-01-1532 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #10 - Lonesome Hiker DiscsThe premise for this week's show mirrors a popular show in the UK for the past 75 years. Bruce has chosen just eight "discs" to take with him on his journey. Limiting himself to just eight was a real challenge. So much so that he came up with a list of 24. This man is REALLY thorough!! We also had a question from Judy Mikesell. Make sure that you send my your address, Judy, so that Trailtopia can send you a couple of their delicious meals. Don't forget to keep sending in questions for Bruce and make...2018-01-0833 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamFear and Loathing on the Appalachian TrailThis week, we talk about the various fears–or maybe just concerns–that afflict hikers when they prepare to head out into the woods for six months. Bruce is so well prepared and has considered many of the things that may happen while he is away. Yet he still finds a few things that will make him keep a watchful eye, particularly in the first few weeks. Nobody takes on an adventure like this without a few niggling thoughts at the back of your mind. For those who worry about animals; the tick is probably the worst one...2018-01-0131 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #8 - Family MattersThis week, in our Christmas Day show, what could be more appropriate than hearing from Bruce's family and what they think about Bruce's upcoming thru-hike. I quickly learned that they share Bruce's confidence in his meticulous preparation. However, once our interview was over, one of his daughters shared a few things that I wasn't expecting. It turns out that, despite his many accomplishments, Bruce is just one of four highly accomplished family members. His wife and daughters had their own individual takes, but each was supportive and confident in Bruce's readiness. If you'd...2017-12-2538 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #66 - Zach Davis (Badger)Zach Davis didn't hike a long-distance trail until 2011, yet he was intuitively aware of the need to prepare himself mentally for the hike. Establishing his "why" allowed him to be ready for the problems that he would inevitably encounter on the trail. The fact that he contracted West Nile Disease and carried it until the end of the trail is further testimony to his desire to fulfill his goal. When Zach returned from the AT, he wrote his best-selling book, Appalachian Trials to assist other hikers in the hiker mindset. He was already a prolific...2017-12-211h 09Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamSetting RecordsBruce and Steve discuss the impact upon the trail that some of the super-fast hikers may have engendered. Bruce is a bit of a self-confessed Appalachian Trail nerd, with interest in the various hikers who have lowered the FKT records over the years. He, of course, is hoping to set a record of his own. While the preparation for such a hike is extensive, Bruce has managed to put together a plan to raise $250,000 for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. He recognizes that this may put further pressure on him but is determined to enjoy his hike first...2017-12-1836 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamThe Working Gear ListBruce and Steve discuss the possibility of boredom on the trail and how Bruce may cope with it should it arise. He has a "novel" solution to the problem. This question was from listener Eliza Newland, so thanks for that Eliza. She wins two of Trailtopia's scrumptious meals. Remember to keep sending in your questions as there'll be two meals given away each week. After dealing with boredom, Bruce and Steve are all about the gear, with Bruce's planning acumen to the fore. He has what he calls a "Working Gear List" that records his various options...2017-12-1134 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #64 - Jim KernMeet Jim Kern, a veteran of the hiking world, yet on a mission to CLOSE THE GAPS on America's trails. He has hiked all over the world, yet his passion is here at home in Florida, with the Florida Trail. Jim started the Florida Trail in 1966, when a lot of us were in short pants back at school, while many of us weren't even born yet. Watch this short YouTube video to get a feel of what the trail is about. The picture above is of Jim overlooking the Appalachian Trail in...2017-12-071h 12Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamThat's what friends are forI always hoped that I'd be able to speak with Bruce's family, friends, and colleagues on their reaction to and expectations of his upcoming thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. We started with Bruce's law partner of over 20 years, Gary LeClair. Gary proved to be a delight to chat with. He was open, friendly, and made me laugh out loud several times. While I never expected him to dish any dirt on Bruce–indeed, it seems that none exists–he was able to tell us a couple of stories that allowed us to further understand Bruce and his moti...2017-12-0426 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #63 - Kyle Rohrig (The Mayor) Kyle Rohrig was one of the first people I wanted to interview on my podcast, so it is somehow fitting that it has taken me more than 60 episodes to finally get the chance to speak with him. For me, it was worth the wait. He comes across as a modest, quiet guy with hiking now firmly in his blood. He made an attempt on the Continental Divide Trail this summer to complete his Triple Crown. The weather played a part in aborting that hike, yet he has now set himself up the opportunity to complete the Triple Crown with h...2017-11-301h 09Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #4 - PreparationBruce and Steve discuss the various aspects of Bruce's preparation for his 2018 thru-hike. They consider whether or not the challenge is more mental or more physical. Bruce explains how he has been preparing for both aspects. While Steve had limited preparation for his hike, the two of them talk about how proper preparation can enhance the experience. They both get a kick out of listener Barb Oelschlegal's question about how Bruce's wife will spend her time while he is away. Ultimately, both agree that it is how one responds to the multiplicity of challenges on t...2017-11-2732 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #62 - Jessica Mills (Dixie) Jessica Mills has become something of a YouTube sensation, with her Appalachian Trail videos securing a base of support during her 2015 thru-hike. However, that support has grown exponentially this year, as she took on, and beat, the Pacific Crest Trail, battling the snow in the Sierras, then smoke from fires the rest of the way. Her breezy delivery, thoughtful commentary, great pictures (including some taken from a drone, and sheer bravado in the face of difficult conditions, have made her PCT vidoes required viewing for aspiring and veteran hikers alike. Jessica discusses this year's hike with Steve and answers the...2017-11-231h 09Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamIs there a theme to Returning to Katahdin?This week, Bruce and Steve talk about why Bruce chose the name Returning to Katahdin and the theme that it represents. He also explains how his trail name came about. He gets reflective about taking the trail on at this time in his life and the further opportunities he'll have on the trail to simply think. Bruce even talks through the possibility that he's in love with the idea of the hike as opposed to the hike itself, believing that by returning to Katahdin he'll discover what his dream was all about. A listener, Ryan Carr, came...2017-11-2030 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #61 - Judy Mikesell A thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail isn’t everybody’s idea of the best way to spend time in the woods. Judy Mikesell became interested in the trail through her son’s thru-hike several years ago. She knew that she didn’t want to thru-hike but she certainly wanted to visit the various parts of the trail. Her novel approach has enabled her to build her own version of hiking the AT without ever needing to go without a shower or needing to use a privy. To try to get as full an AT experience as possible, Judy also took part in...2017-11-161h 09Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamEpisode #2 - Why NOBO, why February?This week, Bruce and Steve talk about two of the most fundamental decisions for all hikers. Which direction do I want to go and, once that is resolved, when do I wish to leave. Bruce has some thoughful answers to these questions and shows that his preparation has been thorough and logical. He considered a SOBO hike and a flip flop, yet he'll be taking the most-travelled path–from Springer Mountain in Georgia and ending half a year later at Mt Katahdin in Maine. He even validates his choice of late February as a start da...2017-11-1328 minReturning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail DreamWhy hike the Appalachian Trail?In this first episode, Bruce and Steve discuss the origins of Bruce's desire to hike the trail and why it has stayed on his bucket list for over 40 years. We learn a little of Bruce's back story, and Steve finds out that he has quite a rich history of sport throughout his life, having run marathons and hiked the Camino, in Spain. We're hoping to make our show as interactive as possible, with Bruce open to questions–and advice!! You can email him at rtkchallenge@gmail.com. You can find out a whole lot more about Bruce an...2017-11-0427 minMighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #59 - Silas Schroeder (Pepper) The Appalachian Trail is a test for hikers at any stage in life and many people hike their own hikes vicariously through their family members. One of our listeners, Rick Schroeder, sent me an email to thank me for our podcast. While doing so, he mentioned that his son, Silas, had just completed a thru-hike if the trail in September. I was immediately interested in talking with Silas, as his Dad shared some of the changes in Silas that had taken place during his recent adventure. I was not disappointed. He proved to be an articulate, intelligent guest, with a...2017-11-021h 08Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #58 - Jeffrey Gray (Loner) From the Class of 2012, this week's guest is Jeffrey "Loner" Gray. Jeffrey gave himself the name Loner, yet he soon discovered the extraordinary friendships that we all find on the Appalachian Trail. He originally came to the trail through the simple act of walking to waterfalls. With more waterfalls to visit, the walks became longer and longer, leading him ultimately to his thru-hike in 2012. He was an early pioneer of YouTube videos to record his adventures, having had a channel previously devoted to skateboarding videos. You can follow him on YouTube and Facebook. His Youtube followers would often ask him q...2017-10-261h 10Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #55 - Greg and Jen Seymour (Sunsets and Chica)Having lived for several years in Costa Rica, Greg and Jen Seymour were searching for an adventure. They chose a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2017 and prepared meticulously so that they would arrive at Springer Mountain in good shape for their journey. Recording their daily progress through YouTube, they grew their audience with their charming–and often hilarious–interactions as they made their way up the trail. By the time they got to Katahdin, they had lost nearly 100lbs in weight between them and gained an appreciation of their capabilities under duress. Jen even felt sufficiently pumped to refe...2017-10-0559 min