Episodes
July 24, 2019
Episode #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 worked it out. Then, most surprising to me, Kinsman blew me away. What a blast. We also had...
July 23, 2019
Episode #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 to expectations, something that I was concerned wouldn’t happen for me the second time...
July 17, 2019
Episode #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 Whites and beyond. In this episode, we also chat with a SOBO hiker, a “hidden” hostel...
July 11, 2019
Episode #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, splitting with Trigger for about four days. We’ll get back together on Sunday. Vermont...
July 5, 2019
Episode #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 and certainly took a toll on us. However, the further north we go, the cooler the...
July 1, 2019
Episode #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 conserve our energy. I’ve now lost about 35 lbs while Trigger has dropped over 40 lbs.
June 28, 2019
Episode #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 we can see a tougher profile ahead. These past few days have been impacted by, particularly,...
June 24, 2019
Episode #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 possibility. I also got the great chance to meet face to face with our very own Dr Lynne, as well...
June 20, 2019
Episode #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 slicker and far more dangerous. We have a quandary, in that there are blue-blazes to...
June 16, 2019
Episode #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 Trigger, Dodger Dog, Cushy, and a new friend, Barb, has been a delight. I’m fulfilling my...
June 15, 2019
Episode #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 rocks and, now that we have entered New Jersey, we were hoping that the rocks were going to...
June 10, 2019
Episode #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 average of almost 20 miles a day for over a week. Two more days and we’ll be out of...
June 7, 2019
Episode #160 - Appalachian Trail (Days 101 to 102)
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 reached for his bug net to keep the flies and mozzies at bay and away from his face. We meet a French...
June 5, 2019
Episode #159 - Appalachian Trail (Days 97 to 100)
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 Dodger Dog are a day ahead. We’ve supported one another and kept each other honest as hikers....
June 1, 2019
Episode #158 - Appalachian Trail (Days 94 to 96)
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 mile marker were all passed in quick succession. We’re hoping that Cushy will catch us in the next...
May 30, 2019
Episode #157 - Appalachian Trail (Days 91 to 93)
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 honored to have the company of Laurie Potteiger from ATC as our hiking companion for part of the first...
May 26, 2019
Episode #156 - Appalachian Trail (Days 87 to 90)
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 progression as members come and go. With a bit of luck, we’ll reform in a week or so. The good...
May 26, 2019
Episode #155 - Appalachian Trail (Days 84 to 86)
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 little group has been augmented by the lovely Dodger Dog. Her youth and vitality have lifted our...
May 19, 2019
Episode #154 - Appalachian Trail (Days 78 to 83)
It has been a wonderful six days with the Shenandoah National Park as the backdrop. I’ve been gobsmacked (wonderful English expression) by the kindness of others, with probably the surprise of my life coming on the first morning out of Rockfish Gap....
May 14, 2019
Episode #153 - Appalachian Trail (Days 74 to 77)
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 become a sadder place. How we recover from this desperately sad incident will say a lot about the...
May 14, 2019
Episode #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.
May 9, 2019
Episode #151 - Appalachian Trail (Days 68 to 73)
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 that this hike examines. I’ve switched out several items from my winter gear and dropped about eight...
May 4, 2019
Episode #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...
May 1, 2019
Episode #149 - Appalachian Trail (Days 60 to 64)
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 them but they’ve kept me honest as a hiker. We’re about to hit the Virginia Triple Crown with...