Shows / Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trail magic and injury.
Episodes
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #220 - Luke Jordan (Strider)
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 mile North…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #219 - Natalie Wood and Grady Thompson (Togs and Lucky)
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. Natalie and Grady…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #218 - Bobby O'Donnell (Handyman)
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 life that…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #216 - Steve Ortiz (Survivor)
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 the mere…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #215 - Paul Curtin (Magnum)
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 AND…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #214 - James Brinkman (Snickers)
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 respective hikes…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #213 - Melissa Goodwin (Click)
Our main guest today is Melissa "Click!" Goodwin, a licensed outdoor guide and photographer. She is the founder of Girl Gotta Hike, which connects women with…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #212 - Paul Collins (Skunkape)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #211 - Cari Pattison (Sprout)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #210 - Aaron and BG Turner PLUS Heather "Brave" Sloan
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #209 - Paul Stutzman (Apostle)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #208 - Chloë de Camara (Vulture)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #207 - Aaron Owens Mayhew (Sling)
Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN, CD is a registered dietitian, ultralight long-distance backpacker, and backpacking food cookbook author. Aaron has worked in the…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #206 - Brant Bazner (Brant and Garvey)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #205 - Derick Lugo (Mr Fabulous)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #204 - Rory Anderson (Bigfoot)
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #203 - Neville Harris of Woods Hole Hostel
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…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #202 - Silvia Cassano (Momma Sil)
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 previous guest…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #201 - Craig Mains (Hawk)
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 before…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #200 - Sara Spittel (Cushy Life)
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 our…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #199 - Kimberly Brookshire (Legs)
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 in…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #198 - Willow Bolton (Angel)
With all the problems that one may encounter on the Appalachian Trail, Willow Bolton decided that highlighting her disability (something that she refers to as…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #197 - Dave Braunlich (Seventy)
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 this…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #196 - Andrew Haverstick (Gandalf)
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 conversation…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #195 - Colleen and Julianne Davis (Peaches and Woodstock)
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, asking me to…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #194 - Jessie Crawford (Supergirl)
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." When…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #193 - Rob and Gavin Duncan (Waffle and Hawkeye)
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 the…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #192 - Jess Jordan (Yalla)
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 for the…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #191 - Darrell and Alicia Brimberry (Next Step and Which Way)
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 result…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #190 - Sahada Buckley and Luke Runels (Cloud and Leaf)
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 about their…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #189 - Julie Obear and Barry King (Boston and Cubby)
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 completed…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #188 - Dianne Seger (Lady Di)
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 that. She…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #187 - Jason Elwood (Bamboo)
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 believe that…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #186 - Tammy and Curt Fackler (Lolli and Pop)
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 and gave…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #185 - Mike Colburn (Bassman)
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 in…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #184 - Olivia Miller Bakke (Mama Lion)
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 over time…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #183 - Bob Curran (Trigger)
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 miles…
- Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Episode #182 - Appalachian Trail (Debrief)
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 so many of…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #181 - Appalachian Trail (Day 179)
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 from the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #180 - Appalachian Trail (Days 175 to 178)
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 Friday. The…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #179 - Appalachian Trail (Days 172 to 174)
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. Rocks and…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #178 - Appalachian Trail (Days 168 to 171)
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 even…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #177 - Appalachian Trail (Days 164 to 167)
Slackpacking the tougher mountains has been a feature of these past four days. With the Saddlebacks, the Crocker's, then the stunningly beautiful Bigelows…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #176 - Appalachian Trail (Days 161 to 163)
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 said, the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #175 - Appalachian Trail (Days 158 to 160)
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 Gary and…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #174 - Appalachian Trail (Days 153 to 157)
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 as I come…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #173 - Appalachian Trail (Days 149 to 152)
With four days of glorious weather forecast, we couldn't wait to get stuck into Franconia Ridge and the Presidential Range, highlighted by summiting Mt…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #172 - Appalachian Trail (Days 146 to 148)
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 Open. We…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #171 - Appalachian Trail (Days 143 to 145)
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 lived up…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #170 - Appalachian Trail (Days 137 to 142)
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 in the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #169 - Appalachian Trail (Days 131 to 136)
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 a zero…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #168 - Appalachian Trail (Days 127 to 130)
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 stifling…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #167 - Appalachian Trail (Days 123 to 126)
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 helping us…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #166 - Appalachian Trail (Days 120 to 122)
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 August, but…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #165 - Appalachian Trail (Days 115 to 119)
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 was a…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #164 - Appalachian Trail (Days 112 to 114)
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 York rocks…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #163 - Appalachian Trail (Days 109 to 111)
Old friends reunited and new friends met. The trail continues to provide us with serendipitous moments that are the real Trail Magic. Sharing the trail with…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #162 - Appalachian Trail (Days 106 to 108)
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 of the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #161 - Appalachian Trail (Days 103 to 105)
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 an…