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

Episode #233 - Sally Brooks (Not Yet)

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have a comedian, a writer, and a podcaster, but, as you'll learn, she is also an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Sally Brooks has a compelling ...

Episode #232 - Craig Fowler (Scatman)

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we have a serious overachiever on the show. Craig "Scatman" Fowler finished the Triple Crown of hiking and looked around to find something e...

Episode #231 - Barney Mann (Scout)

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Another terrific show today, with Barney "Scout" Mann sharing his story as a lifelong hiker, a Triple Crowner, and the Ultimate Trail Angel of the Pac...

Episode #230 - Amber Heuisler (Wheezy)

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amber Heuisler, or Wheezy, came to my attention recently on Facebook. Her proud boast of walking 200 miles on the AT may not seem to be so much of a c...

Episode #229 - Lily Gelfars

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is a long show!! First off, we have Lily Gelfars, a listener who wanted to express her opinion regarding hiking in 2020. She brings some personal...

Episode #228 - Brian Bell (Brother Bear)

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Bell has shaped his life to enable him to spend as much time as he can in the outdoors. He looked for a local trail club to see if he could help...

Episode #227 - Molly Rhoads (Shark Tooth)

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I met Molly Rhoads in 2019 when she was hiking with my buddy, Nate Stockton. The two of them were a well-suited odd couple. Nate has retired from the ...

Episode #226 - Chris Pirrello (Cookie Monster)

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We've got a really well-traveled guest on the show today. Chris Pirrello has led a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, with a fourteen-month trip around the w...

Episode #225 - Keith Foskett (Fozzie)

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Episode #224 - JC Van Etten (Catmando)

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we have JC Van Etten, or Catmando. Not only did JC recently win our six-book giveaway, but he was also part of the very tight "tramily" tha...

Episode #223 - Eric and Jessica Matos (Toast and Jammz)

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I think that this is the longest show we've ever had!! Our main guests are Eric and Jessica Matos, or Toast and Jammz. They were introduced to me by J...

Episode #222 - Marissa Neel (The Executioner)

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 exa...

Episode #221 - Carolyn Walker and Gordon Yhap (Lucky 59 and Pepperpot)

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 shak...

Episode #220 - Luke Jordan (Strider)

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 mi...

Episode #219 - Natalie Wood and Grady Thompson (Togs and Lucky)

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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. Nata...

Episode #218 - Bobby O'Donnell (Handyman)

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode #217 - Sarah Jones Decker (Harvest)

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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-hike...

Episode #216 - Steve Ortiz (Survivor)

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode #215 - Paul Curtin (Magnum)

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode #214 - James Brinkman (Snickers)

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 respecti...

Episode #213 - Melissa Goodwin (Click)

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our main guest today is Melissa "Click!" Goodwin, a licensed outdoor guide and photographer. She is the founder of Girl Gotta Hike, which connects wom...

Episode #212 - Paul Collins (Skunkape)

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ever...

Episode #211 - Cari Pattison (Sprout)

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode #210 - Aaron and BG Turner PLUS Heather "Brave" Sloan

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Episode #209 - Paul Stutzman (Apostle)

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode #208 - Chloë de Camara (Vulture)

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Episode #207 - Aaron Owens Mayhew (Sling)

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN, CD is a registered dietitian, ultralight long-distance backpacker, and backpacking food cookbook author. Aaron has worked...

Episode #206 - Brant Bazner (Brant and Garvey)

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Episode #205 - Derick Lugo (Mr Fabulous)

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode #204 - Rory Anderson (Bigfoot)

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, havi...

Episode #203 - Neville Harris of Woods Hole Hostel

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ch...

Episode #202 - Silvia Cassano (Momma Sil)

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This interview with Silvia Cassano was recorded nearly a year ago, but I've only just recovered it. Silvia is a "Trail Angel" referred to by a previou...

Episode #201 - Craig Mains (Hawk)

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Another great show today, with a guy who is clearly in love with hiking and particularly the Appalachian Trail. Craig "Hawk" Mains has been this way b...

Episode #200 - Sara Spittel (Cushy Life)

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I've met many extraordinary women on the trail but few who have left as deep an impression as Sara Spittel, or Cushy Life. Cushy was the Queen Bee of ...

Episode #199 - Kimberly Brookshire (Legs)

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While we normally focus on Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, Kimberly Brookshire's story was too good to miss. She had spent the early part of her career...

Episode #198 - Willow Bolton (Angel)

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With all the problems that one may encounter on the Appalachian Trail, Willow Bolton decided that highlighting her disability (something that she refe...

Episode #197 - Dave Braunlich (Seventy)

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Braunlich gave himself a tough task when he considered hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019. He needed to fit in the trail AND keep his job. For ...

Episode #196 - Andrew Haverstick (Gandalf)

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When Andrew Haverstick reached out to me recently telling me that he had a story to share, I called and listened to his story. Our subsequent conversa...

Episode #195 - Colleen and Julianne Davis (Peaches and Woodstock)

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I met Peaches and Woodstock in Maine when I was heading north earlier this year. They are listeners to the show and Julianne introduced herself, askin...

Episode #194 - Jessie Crawford (Supergirl)

28 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When Jessie Crawford had a drink with Stylez, a friend of mine from the Class of 2014, they discussed post-trail life and "how weird the transition is...

Episode #193 - Rob and Gavin Duncan (Waffle and Hawkeye)

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I first heard of Rob and Gavin on the trail when Rob's wife, Beth, wrote to me in May to tell me about their journey. The family had been listening to...

Episode #192 - Jess Jordan (Yalla)

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When we met Yalla on our thru-hike earlier this year, Trigger and I were immediately drawn to her as a person but it was her name that stuck with us f...

Episode #191 - Darrell and Alicia Brimberry (Next Step and Which Way)

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When Darrell and Alicia set out to hike the AT in 2018 they assumed that they would hike the whole way together. It didn't work out that way and, as a...

Episode #190 - Sahada Buckley and Luke Runels (Cloud and Leaf)

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've had a variety of guests on the show over the past three years but I'm pretty confident that no guest (or guests) has ever been as laid back abou...

Episode #189 - Julie Obear and Barry King (Boston and Cubby)

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Boston and Cubby have been long-distance hiking for nearly 15 years, having started with the Appalachian Trail in 2005. During that time they have com...

Episode #188 - Dianne Seger (Lady Di)

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lady Di was part of one of my earlier "tramilies." We spent quite a bit of time together around Fontana Dam and the Smokies but were separated after t...

Episode #187 - Jason Elwood (Bamboo)

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I met Jason and his friends in 2014. They were on the trail helping other hikers while achieving their own hiking goals at the same time. I don't beli...

Episode #186 - Tammy and Curt Fackler (Lolli and Pop)

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With an empty nest, sufficient money, and plenty of time on their hands, Curt and Tammy Fackler decided to drastically downsize. They sold their home ...

Episode #185 - Mike Colburn (Bassman)

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Colburn started his years-long section thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail during the last century. While he never intended to complete the trail ...

Episode #184 - Olivia Miller Bakke (Mama Lion)

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you finish the Appalachian Trail, your mind is in a bit of a whirl. You can't fully articulate your thoughts and, really, those thoughts mature o...

Episode #183 - Bob Curran (Trigger)

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When I met Bob Curran in the Grayson Highlands, I could never have imagined that he and I would end up at the top of Mt Katahdin together, some 1700 m...

Episode #182 - Appalachian Trail (Debrief)

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Now that I've returned to Florida and had a week off from the podcast, I felt ready to answer a few questions from listeners. There turned out to be ...

Episode #181 - Appalachian Trail (Day 179)

24 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I wanted to share my last day on the trail with you all. The sound is often distorted through wind and even our paces. That said, I hope you gather fr...

Episode #180 - Appalachian Trail (Days 175 to 178)

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With the worst mountains in the 100 Mile Wilderness begins us, Trigger and I had to put in some long days to meet our goal of summiting Katahdin by Fr...

Episode #179 - Appalachian Trail (Days 172 to 174)

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Given how lucky we've been with the weather so far, I suppose it was only inevitable that the 100 Mile Wilderness gave us four straight days of rain. ...

Episode #178 - Appalachian Trail (Days 168 to 171)

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've covered a lot of ground to get here and are now in Monson, ready to hit the 100 Mile Wilderness. The path here hasn't always been straight (or e...

Episode #177 - Appalachian Trail (Days 164 to 167)

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Slackpacking the tougher mountains has been a feature of these past four days. With the Saddlebacks, the Crocker's, then the stunningly beautiful Bige...

Episode #176 - Appalachian Trail (Days 161 to 163)

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a while (again).  We're making progress but the miles are taking their toll and I'm often too tired at the end of the day to record. That s...

Episode #175 - Appalachian Trail (Days 158 to 160)

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

My first, faltering days back from illness led me to Mahoosuc Notch on Day 3. To be frank, I think that I should have stayed another day or two with G...

Episode #174 - Appalachian Trail (Days 153 to 157)

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a marked contrast to yesterday's show, this one is a little bit of a doom and gloom episode, with those earlier doubts all coming back to haunt me ...

Episode #173 - Appalachian Trail (Days 149 to 152)

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With four days of glorious weather forecast, we couldn't wait to get stuck into Franconia Ridge and the Presidential Range, highlighted by summiting M...

Episode #172 - Appalachian Trail (Days 146 to 148)

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With Cushy back in the fold, we're finding more ways to do this hike. Having done Moosilauke, we had to fill in our ten-mile gap AFTER the British Ope...

Episode #171 - Appalachian Trail (Days 143 to 145)

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We're in New Hampshire and starting to put together our highlight reel. We've also run into an old friend and teamed up again. The trail has already l...

Episode #170 - Appalachian Trail (Days 137 to 142)

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Trigger and I have been separated and are now reunited. I definitely hike better with him! Vermont has been great training for our upcoming adventures...

Episode #169 - Appalachian Trail (Days 131 to 136)

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vermont has provided us with mud, mozzies, and views from the top of mountains. We've been hiking for 20 straight days and I took the decision to take...

Episode #168 - Appalachian Trail (Days 127 to 130)

06 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've had visitors this week. One had a shirt for me while Trigger's boys drove 16 hours to hike seven miles with us. The heat in New England has been...

Episode #167 - Appalachian Trail (Days 123 to 126)

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Still pushing on and now into Massachusetts and past 1550 miles. We're managing our reduced mileage and taking several breaks during the day is helpin...

Episode #166 - Appalachian Trail (Days 120 to 122)

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With two-thirds of the trail under our feet, the humidity and heat has cranked up to shorten our days. We still aim to finish in the last week of Augu...

Episode #165 - Appalachian Trail (Days 115 to 119)

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I had a brief day of doubt this week as my body appeared to rebel about the miles I was doing. I soon got over it but even wondered if Lyme Disease wa...

Episode #164 - Appalachian Trail (Days 112 to 114)

20 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've been incredibly lucky with our management of rain so far but, as with all things, this, too, shall end. The rain is upon us and making the New Y...

Episode #163 - Appalachian Trail (Days 109 to 111)

17 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Old friends reunited and new friends met. The trail continues to provide us with serendipitous moments that are the real Trail Magic. Sharing the trai...

Episode #162 - Appalachian Trail (Days 106 to 108)

16 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pennsylvania has claimed another couple of victims; Trigger and I are VERY glad that it is over. Our feet and shoes have suffered from the sharpness o...

Episode #161 - Appalachian Trail (Days 103 to 105)

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks have made our days tougher but, somewhat perversely, longer and further. We're taking a zero right now but have racked up...

Episode #160 - Appalachian Trail (Days 101 to 102)

08 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Just two days today, with a 35-mile hike into the precipitous descent into Port Clinton. Trigger and I are still together and, as you can see, he has ...

Episode #159 - Appalachian Trail (Days 97 to 100)

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've had a productive few days, including the longest day I've ever done on the AT. Trigger and I are currently a 2-person "tramily" as Cushy and Dod...

Episode #158 - Appalachian Trail (Days 94 to 96)

01 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With the tramily now down to two of us, Trigger and I have made steady progress in Pennsylvania. The Mason Dixon Line, the halfway point, and the 1100...

Episode #157 - Appalachian Trail (Days 91 to 93)

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The past three days have taken us through Maryland to the edge of Pennsylvania. It didn't turn out to be the easy state I'd remembered. We were honore...

Episode #156 - Appalachian Trail (Days 87 to 90)

26 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've made it to Harpers Ferry, the traditional halfway point. I'm tired, sore, and feel accomplished. The tramily is starting to break up, a natural ...

Episode #155 - Appalachian Trail (Days 84 to 86)

26 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've finished with Shenandoah National Park. It turned out to be a great place that we all thoroughly enjoyed. With Ugh leaving for Trail Days, our l...

Episode #154 - Appalachian Trail (Days 78 to 83)

20 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It has been a wonderful six days with the Shenandoah National Park as the backdrop. I've been gobsmacked (wonderful English expression) by the kindnes...

Episode #153 - Appalachian Trail (Days 74 to 77)

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Four days of SOBO and NOBO hiking, with RTK joining us for a couple of very wet, quite testing days. We learn about the attacks and the trail has beco...

Episode #152 - Appalachian Trail (RTK interviews Mighty Blue)

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Matson (RTK) asks Mighty Blue listeners' questions, with subjects ranging from interesting characters, food, a comparison between his two AT hik...

Episode #151 - Appalachian Trail (Days 68 to 73)

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The forest is greening up rapidly. Our team is still together but issues are arising. Not between the four of us but in our own physical frailties tha...

Episode #150 - Appalachian Trail (Days 65 to 67)

04 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Episode #149 - Appalachian Trail (Days 60 to 64)

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A week with a new Tramily. It has been fun to hike with Ugh, Cushy Life, and Trigger for the past few days. I've been upping my miles to keep up with ...

Episode #148 - Appalachian Trail (Days 56 to 59)

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every night in the woods this time. After publishing the last show at Chestnut Knob Shelter I've made it the 55 miles to Woods Hole Hostel. Characters...

Episode #147 - Appalachian Trail (Days 52 to 55)

22 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I've spent the past four days hiking with my Buddy, Clay Bonnyman Evans. I trimmed back the mileage but have continued to feel better and better as I ...

Episode #146 - Appalachian Trail (Days 47 to 51)

19 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Three hard hiking days out of Damascus proved the perfect antidote to two days lying on my bed watching sport on TV. I was lucky enough to address som...

Episode #145 - Appalachian Trail (Days 43 to 46)

13 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's been an exhausting few days and my body is telling me to rest. I'm taking a double zero in Damascus, though I'm still getting in some good mileag...

Episode #144 - Appalachian Trail (Days 40 to 42)

09 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Another diverse few days, with tiredness, bailouts, glorious views, wonderful people, and poignant stories filling my days. From a sun-filled Carvers ...

Episode #143 - Appalachian Trail (Days 36 to 39)

06 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

More miles and experiences under his belt, Steve is planning ahead to ensure that he extracts the best parts of his hike when the weather is cooperati...

Episode #142 - Appalachian Trail (Days 32 to 35)

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Another great few days, with weather extremes influencing the hike. Eventually, Steve learned–yet again–the importance of hiking your own hike. He...

Episode #141 - Appalachian Trail (Days 29 to 31)

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A short few days and a cloudy Max Patch. Getting the mileage up to 14s and 15s but still feeling tired, either through lack of sleep, lack of food, or...

Episode #140 - Appalachian Trail (Days 24 to 28)

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is the Smokies Part II episode. With five days the cover the mileage may seem unimpressive. However, within those five days, there are two "nearo...

Episode #139 - Appalachian Trail (Days 20 to 23)

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's Smokies Week on the show and plenty of uphills on the way to Clingmans Dome. I became part of, and lost, my first tramily, and loved my time with...

Episode #138 - Appalachian Trail (Days Seventeen to Nineteen)

17 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Another few days with varying fortunes. The week started disastrously with the loss of a vital piece of equipment. The views continued to make the hea...

Episode #137 - Appalachian Trail (Days Fourteen to Sixteen)

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Another three-day stint between stops in town took Steve from Franklin to Nantahala Outdoor Center. Before he even left Franklin, however, he started ...

Episode #136 - Appalachian Trail (Days Ten to Thirteen)

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The trail has been testing this past four days. Steve left Dick's Creek Gap last Thursday morning and has now reached Franklin NC after three nights i...

Episode #135 - Appalachian Trail (Days Seven to Nine)

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It has been an emotional three days for Steve as he faced up to his first real adversity. He knew it would happen, he was even expecting it, yet his e...

Episode #134 - Appalachian Trail (Days Four to Six)

03 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Now six days in, Steve is getting into something of a rhythm. His toes are hurting a little, though nothing too serious. He is constantly on the looko...