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Episode #459 - Katie Westling (Phoenix)

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

Release Date: 11/21/2024

Episode #475 - Nick Panetta show art Episode #475 - Nick Panetta

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

Nick Panetta is our guest this week. He is an avid section hiker on the Appalachian Trail, and a stickler for detail. He attempted a southbound thru-hike back in 2012, was woefully ill-prepared, and only made it part of the way through the 100 Mile Wilderness. Undeterred, perhaps even more determined, Nick went away and started to understand the requirements for extensive backpacking over a period of time. He shed plenty of excess weight in his gear, and now prepares methodically with spreadsheets to guide him along his way. Nick’s is an instructive story on how to learn by one’s...

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Episode #474 - Shelley Harris (Hopscotch) show art Episode #474 - Shelley Harris (Hopscotch)

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

I saw a great Facebook post on one of the Appalachian Trail pages recently. Shelley Harris (Hopscotch) wrote her reflections after her thru-hike, offering common sense solutions to those contemplating such an adventure. Basically, Shelley suggested that you can figure it out as you go along, and you shouldn’t stress the details. Our over-cautious, everybody-has-an-opinion world tends to forget the simple truths, which apply not only to hiking but also to everyday life. For me, Shelley was a breath of fresh air. For the first time in our Mighty Blue Class of 2025, both Beth and Dave are on...

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Episode #473 - JC Van Etten (Catmando) Triple Crowner show art Episode #473 - JC Van Etten (Catmando) Triple Crowner

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

JC Van Etten, or Catmando returns to the show. We first met him on the Appalachian Trail a few years ago, I seem to have missed him on the PCT, but caught up with him again after his Continental Divide Trail thru-hike last year to complete his Triple Crown. Cat is a great raconteur, sharing plenty of advice through our conversation, as well as recording some of the epic sights he was able to see out on the CDT. One of those epic sights was a chance encounter with four grizzly bears which, startlingly, Cat decided to capture with his iPhone. Here’s the link. Dave Santi...

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Episode #472 - David Alan Lane (Squarepeg) show art Episode #472 - David Alan Lane (Squarepeg)

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

We meet David Alan Lane, aka Squarepeg, today. David has been sharing his trail experience extensively over the past few years on Facebook. He helps with all sorts of advice, including gear and what to eat out on trail. It’s a cherished resource for hikers. Now, David has put together another Facebook page that is ambitious in its scope. He has formed Slackpack the Appalachian Trail with Squarepeg, and will shortly be heading north on a big slackpack that will have members drop in and drop out along the way. Steve and David discuss this new venture, as well as his other experiences hiking...

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Episode #471 - Tina Tempest (Chunky) show art Episode #471 - Tina Tempest (Chunky)

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

We have Tina Tempest on the show today. Tina, or Chunky, completed a SOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2009. The trail had such an impact upon her life, that she and her husband, Brett, ultimately opened the Quarter Way Inn, a hostel near Marion, Virginia. Tina’s breakfast at the hostel is the stuff of legend! But it is one of her side businesses that we’re talking about today, as Tina is the owner of Bead By Bead Adventures, producing necklaces for many of the long distance trails, including two that I wear. There are plenty of ways to follow Tina, either online or in person....

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Episode #470 - Nick Thatcher (Hotfoot) show art Episode #470 - Nick Thatcher (Hotfoot)

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

Our main guest today is Nick Thatcher, who I found when he posted an epic Katahdin summit picture on Facebook. I hoped there would be more to his story than a December summit, so I reached out to him. He shared a story of determination and drive, culminating in that epic picture on the top of Katahdin. Nick made some intelligent choices for his hike that should inspire others in their own quest to fulfill an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. His calm demeanor will impress you. You can follow him on social media at , as well as his blog for the Trek at . Our book reading, Happy Hiking, by...

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Episode #469 - Dr Lydia Kuhn (Tetris) show art Episode #469 - Dr Lydia Kuhn (Tetris)

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

Dr Lydia Kuhn joins us this week to talk about both her Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2020, and her CDT thru-hike last year, proving herself to be a “true badass.” She reminds us of the need to live your life on your terms, and not to be constrained by how others might want you to live your life. Lydia also shares some information on wilderness medicine that we should all pay attention to. Check out the link below to learn more.  We hear again from Chris Casado of TSX Challenge, who gives us an update on some of the adventures that you could be having this summer. Check out their...

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Episode #468 - David Kibiloski (Texas) show art Episode #468 - David Kibiloski (Texas)

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

David Kibiloski is our guest today. What starts as a story about his Appalachian Trail thru-hike, tracks his evolution into an AT hostel owner, then a 501(c)(3) with AT Kids, followed by Stumble Inn 2.0. It is a fascinating journey. You can follow David on his website, at . We also started what I hope to be a bidding war for Smercomics, a political satire book that David owns (unopened), but he is willing to offer to the highest bidder from our audience. All funds will go directly to AT Kids. I’m starting the bidding at $100. I hope you’d like to join in. You can email me your bid...

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Episode #467 - Al Marriott (Lookout) Triple Crowner show art Episode #467 - Al Marriott (Lookout) Triple Crowner

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

Today, we welcome back a friend of the show, a fellow Brit, Al Marriott. Al has already been on for his AT and PCT adventures, but last year he went and completed the CDT to complete his Triple Crown. He is always good value, with some wry observations about these trails and stories to share along the way. Here, you can check out his last day on the CDT. Al has a thriving YouTube community with his channel, Adventure Together TV at  , as well as a beautiful website,  , where all his travels, along with some spectacular photos, are featured. You can also see more pictures...

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Episode #466 - Collyn Nielsen (Doc) Hiker Trash Radio show art Episode #466 - Collyn Nielsen (Doc) Hiker Trash Radio

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

We have a fellow hiking podcaster on the show today. Collyn Nielsen, known as Doc to his listeners, is the host of Hiker Trash Radio. The show was originally the John Freakin' Muir Podcast, but Doc extended its remit by re-branding to reach a wider audience, speaking to climbers, kayakers and others who spend their time in the outdoors. You can find his podcast on all the platforms, as well as at his website, Doc even turned the tables on me by interviewing me in a section taken directly from his own show. Check it out. Our book reading, Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of...

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More Episodes

We’ve got a bit of a change of pace this week, with previous AT thru-hiker, Katie Westling, sharing her past year of adventures, with hikes in France, Ireland, and England.

Katie started with the Tour du Mont Blanc last year, then headed over to Ireland for the Dingle Way this year, followed by Hadrian’s Wall Path soon after.

Katie shares her hike with us, as well as a couple of links to organizations that helped her on her way. They are: and .

Doctor Lynne wanted to memorialize her late father on the show, as he was the person who inspired her outdoor adventures and loved hearing her with me on the podcast. He must have been so proud of her.

If you’d like to speak about someone who influenced your outdoor adventures, drop me an email at [email protected], and we’ll make it happen.

Our new book reading, Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of course–written from a woman’s POV and a woman’s voice. I hope you enjoy listening to my reading of it. If you’d like to buy the book, you can find it on Amazon at Happy Hiking: Falling in love on the Appalachian Trail, or on Emily’s website, at Happy Hiking.

I used my recent hike in the UK on the South West Coast Path to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I’ve been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting . I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don’t forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at  There, you’ll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I’m sure several of you say, “I could do that. I’ve got an awesome story to tell.” You’re the person we need to hear from. If you’d like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I’ll be in touch. 

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at  .

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

Additionally, you can “Zelle” us a donation to [email protected]. It works! Trust me!

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.