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

There is a bit of everything in today's show, with an epic Katahdin day, a dicey travel day, and my first day heading south, out of Harper's Ferry.

Along the way, I got T-time and Hugh to share their experiences up on the greatest mountain.

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow my progress between episodes, as well as photos of my journey, ple...

The 100 Mile Wilderness and the impending weather changed our plans several times this week. So, instead of taking nine days to get through it, we pushed on and got out in 7 days.

Then, last Saturday, we reached Baxter State Park and stayed at Katahdin Stream Campground before our summit day on Sunday. Sadly, this episode covers from Wednesday until Saturday, so you'll have to wait until next time to hear how it went on Sunday. Spo...

It's been a long time coming, with cell service almost non-existent in the 100 Mile Wilderness, but I'm at last able to bring you Thursday's podcast. This covers our foray into the wilderness with our full packs for the first time. It's been a blast.

Along the way, I met Detour, a fellow NOBO, as well as the remarkable Crutches, whose name gives you a clue!

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru...

We've reached Shaw's in Monson, AND done the first 30 miles of the 100 Mile Wilderness. Maine continues to impress us, with stiff climbs and stunning views. It has become my favorite state on the Appalachian Trail. Oh yes, and I managed to go more than two miles the wrong way the other day. Oops!

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow my progress between e...

The three days from Sunday saw a nearo, a zero, and a near 15-miler. All part of the magic of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. But I'm currently in Monson and ready to take on the 100 Mile Wilderness.

Along the way, I spoke with Andrew, or Detour, a fellow Brit on the verge of completing his own AT journey. Unfortunately , I forgot to take his photo! I was also lucky enough to run into my friend from the 2014 hike, Molli McCarthy, a...

We lost one of our tramily this week, as Nuke pushed forward to achieve his summit several days before us in order to honor a friend back home. With much of the difficulty of Maine behind us—and Katahdin our only big climb ahead of us—we now have our plan settled for a September 29 finish, completing a circle, as that is the date I summited 12 years ago.

Along the way, I spoke with Brandon, a late SOBO thru-hiker, Lacie...

After our Slackpack Palooza into Rangely, we resumed our full packs for the three day hike to Stratton. It had been wonderful to have been so cosseted by our friends, Sherpa and Rita, but it was time to get back in the woods and camp at tentsites.

Along the way, I ran into Mel, leading a project to maintain integrity of the trail, and Chris, the new owner, along with his mother, of the Maine Roadhouse.

A four day slackpack Palooza!! Staying with friends for four nights and having them slackpacking you is a treat, and that is exactly what we've been doing for the last four days. We've enjoyed the reduced load and put in about 50 miles; it's great to be making progress.

Unfortunately, we've been in our own bubble because of this and I haven't found people to interview. We'll be with our full packs this coming week and I hope to bum...

We're into Maine now and if we thought we'd left our difficult days in the past, we were sorely mistaken. My ass has continued to be kicked and The Mahoosuc Notch revealed a lethal side in the wet. It's been quite the experience so far.

Along the way, we found a new member of our tramily, in T-Time, as well as a young man named Badger.

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this y...

The miles have been cut back drastically, yet we are on the verge of leaving New Hampshire behind and entering Maine. It has been both glorious and difficult, a challenge I expected, yet probably underestimated.

Along the way, I was able to chat with Lisa, one of the new owners of the Libby House, Evie, the caretaker at the Imp Tentsite, and Baptist, a foraging SOBO, who shares a few mushroom secrets.

New Hampshire has taken its toll on our weekly mileage, but the beauty and difficulty of the trail up here is staggering in both regards. My memory is also getting a bit of a workout, as I'm seeing the trail with fresh eyes that don't always comport with my previous two thru-hikes.

along the way, I spoke with Ron, or Real Estate, a guy we've been hiking around.

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT...

New Hampshire has been doing New Hampshire things, like kicking my butt, giving me spectacular daily views, and providing Nuke and me with some of the best hiking of this trip so far. The Kinsman's and Franconia Ridge are now in the rear view mirror, with the Presidential Range still to come.

Along the way, my exhaustion at the end of the day has limited my interviews, though I do have a friend, Mike Innes, on the show this week to...

We're not only pushing through New Hampshire, but we've reached the spot where the rubber meets the road; namely, Mt Moosilauke, the first of the 4000-footers that we climb. It was an exhilarating climb, yet one well within my capabilities.

Along the way, I chatted with Nuke, my hiking partner who I first interviewed just after Caledonia State Park, in Pennsylvania. I wanted him to give his impressions of Moosilauke and how his fli...

We're at last in New Hampshire, and the drama is ramping up, with longer, higher, and more intense climbs. From previous experience, I know that I've only done the easiest section of New Hampshire so far, but I'm ready to embrace Moosilauke by the time we meet next time.

one morning, in a shelter on a rainy day, I managed to speak with a young couple out on a thru-hike, Moss Man and Chapstick, while also engaging in conversation wi...

A very short episode today, with just three days to report and no interviews. Such are the problems of reporting from a trail with limited WiFi opportunities!!

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow my progress between episodes, as well as photos of my journey, please go to https://www.polarsteps.com/mightyblue and click on the follow button.

Vermont has been an unexpected pleasure. I don't recall it giving me such great hiking last time, and that, along with new and old friends, has made this last state before the"Big Two" a time of pure joy.

Along the way, I met Thais at the Wicked Waystation hostel and father and son duo, Polechar and Forrest, who completed their own thru-hike just days ago.

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thr...

We're in damp Vermont right now, with the mud and water making things a touch more tricky. The trail continues to be challenging, with the sure knowledge that it is only going to get tougher going forward.

Along the way, I met a bunch of very happy SOBOs; Fruitbag, Slip, Plus One, and Flossy.their enthusiasm for the trail left quite the mark on me.

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike...

With record amounts of rainfall this week in Massachusetts, Nuke and I decided to wait it out during a zero day in Lee. Once we got back on trail the following day, we had to cope with swollen stream crossings that soaked us, as well as paths that became streams. During all of this I managed to fall a couple of time, of course.

Along the way, I chatted with Nat Geo, Dash, and the wonderful Renée.

It's been another week of concern over my recent falls, but also one where I've had to manage my hike more proactively. I had a zero day in an attempt to reset and, by and large, I'm happy with how the past few days have gone.

Along the way, I had a good conversation with a hiker's mother, Ann who, like all mothers, was concerned for her daughter's safety on trail.

In addition, I met Cait, or Fester, who is out here in a transitio...