Episode #467 - Al Marriott (Lookout) Triple Crowner
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Release Date: 01/16/2025
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he completed his thru-hike. Charles is from the northeast, and one of his passions is to track white-tailed deer through the snow. While those skills didn’t help with his thru-hike, they gave him his awesome trail name! We’ll hear why he needed to be finished before October, and his current plan to keep a promise he made to his wife. Beth and Andrew have reached, and passed, the halfway marker, while the REAL rocks of Pennsylvania...
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Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she discusses older hikers on trail. She brings her normal passion for hiking and medicine to the podcast, teaching me a few things along the way. We also caught up with Dave, Beth and Andrew, as they all cope with the heat bubble on the east coast of the US. Dave has moved into Connecticut, his 10th state, and he got this stunning, early-morning view of New York City from the trail a few days ago. Meanwhile, Beth and Andrew have reached the...
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This is it; the final days on my Camino trip in Spain. We cover the final four days, as well as interviews with Dave, plus Beth and Andrew from the Appalachian Trail. Next week, we'll be back to normal!
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Almost there, with the trail now full of people since Sarria. I should be finished this weekend. Also, Dave is well past the 1200 mile mark and feeling the full effects of Pennsylvania. It hurts!!
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We’re closing in on the end and I’m not sure Im ready to be done. We’re back into the mountains and views are opening up all around us. Beth and Andrew have been joined by more friends to hike with for a few weeks.
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I’m back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I’m meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love hiking!!! Dave has passed Harper’s Ferry and pushing into Pennsylvania and the rocks!
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Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail via England, where I watched my beloved Mighty Blues in their unexpected play off final. we also hear again from Beth and Andrew as they take on the first part of the Virginia Triple Crown; Dragon’s Tooth in the rain.
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The first half of my Camino hike is done and I’ve arrived at Léon for my scheduled break with family (and a soccer match). Dave is near the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail and has recovered his mojo.
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Past the two-week mark and into the Meseta, the journey continues with intimate conversation, communal meals, and changing, yet still beautiful scenery. We also catch up with Beth and Andrew as they move on from Trail Days.
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The Meseta is about to end and I’m about to head south for a few days for a family party. The break has come at a good time to help my feet recover from a pounding. Beth and Andrew take responsibility for Rufus, a bowling ball. Weird? Yep.
info_outlineToday, 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. https://youtu.be/UbVsTHWtg5I
Al has a thriving YouTube community with his channel, Adventure Together TV at Adventure Together , as well as a beautiful website, Adventure Together , where all his travels, along with some spectacular photos, are featured. You can also see more pictures on his Instagram, at Instagram (@advtgt) .
Our 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.
Our new sponsor for the New Year is TSX Challenge, who turn one week into inspiration for a lifetime. And I should know. Chris at TSX told me he could get me to the top of Mt Whitney…and he did. Check out their incredible group hikes at TSX Challenge - Guided Backpacking Trips to Mt. Whitney, Grand Canyon & Beyond, and save 10% at checkout by using the code MIGHTYBLUE.
I used my hike earlier this year on the South West Coast Path in the UK 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 Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. 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 Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer 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. Come on the show!
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