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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

With the rocks finding new ways to hurt me, I'm falling a little too often for comfort. I'm now into Massachusetts, so I know that the rocks will only grow more vicious as I head north. I need to work out what's happening before I hurt myself really badly.

Along the way, I had conversations with some fellow travelers. First, I met Brian, or B.

Then, I ran into two indomitable young women, Moose and Princess, out on their own epic ...

I'm into Connecticut now, with the terrain a little more benign than the past few weeks. Added to this, I'm on a bit of a slackpacking run with my friend, Dr Lynne, so my progress is good.

i wasn't able to snag any other thru-hikers these past few days for interviews, though Lynne and I chatted about something I'd asked about last week.

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

Smoke from Canada and heat have conspired to test me this week, though it was the smoke that was likely more dangerous. That said, another state, New Tork, will be in the rear view mirror by this Tuesday.

Along the way, I interviewed Bobo and Timberdoodle, as well as Jack, who is definitely looking for a trail name of his own.

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

It's been another steamy few days that have fully exhausted me. Miles have become harder due to my tiredness, not the terrain. I'm hoping a change in the weather will revive me once more.

Along the way, I chatted with Mom, Opera, and son Sedimentary, or Sed.

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 journ...

This week has given me several days of slackpacking, with generous listeners helping me out so freely. I couldn't have been more humbled to have been helped in this way.

Along the way, I ran into a friend from 2019, Robbie, as well as his hiking partner, Starr. Also, one of my slackpacking friends, Steve, shared the story of his AT attempt a couple of years ago.

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After the heat of last week, the temperatures have fallen and rain is starting to wash out the air. I've continued to put in the miles, including another 20-mile day that enabled me to get out of Pennsylvania. As a wise man once said, Pennsylvania sucks, but the people are great.

Along the way, I managed to interview an incredibly shy Marley Joy, who headed up a group of wonderful Amish women to give us trail magic at the Lookout H...

Our sweltering weather hit us hard this week, with a couple of days above 100°. Despite the searing heat, I've been able to maintain my mileage goals. The rocks have slowed me, though Pennsylvania hasn't been as bad as I recalled-fortunately!!

Along the way, I chatted with Tig (Travis is good) about his thru-hike, as well as Bern, or Yardsale from the wonderful Lookout Hostel. Unfortunately, I forgot to take Bern's picture.

We're facing a tough week or two of excessive heat, with this week the fiercest so far. With temperatures up in the late 90s and early 100s, I have to take this seriously.

I've had to curtail my mileage but I still hope to walk sufficent miles to keep up my average.

This week, I caught up with a young lady named Zoo as well as the owner of the Stay at Swatara hostel, Eric.

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The miles continue to pile up, with a twenty-mile day this week. It's true that the terrain is particularly conducive to twenty-mile plus days, yet I've been surprised at the speed at which I've been able to get back into the hike.

I was only able to get one interview with other hikers these past few days; my old friend Bounce Da Hiker, who I met on my 2019 thru-hike. It was terrific to catch up with him.

I'm using Polarsteps to r...