Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast

Welcome to Episode 188 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight on the show, Tad hijacks the mic to interrogate Stash about his epic backpacking trip in New Hampshire. We’re also gossiping about the Adirondacks manhunt, the state drought that just won’t quit, and trying to decide if the Hudson River’s new green-slime counts as a health drink or a horror movie. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, sha...

Welcome to Episode 187 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight on the show, trail runner Andrew Hutchinson joins us fresh off his victory at the 48th Escarpment Trail Run! We dig into what it took to conquer this iconic race, then switch gears to talk about a not so normal rescue on Giant Ledge, a small forest fire on Rocky Mountain and Kilian Jornet’s latest record-setting attempt. Make sure to subscribe on you...

Special episode release! Ever wondered what it really takes to earn that ranger badge? This week I’m hanging out with Ranger Nathan Jeffery, swapping stories about the wild ride from rookie training to day-to-day adventures on the job — and all the unexpected joys that come with protecting our forests. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill and grab one! Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share th...

Welcome to Episode 186 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, we’re rolling into the world of bike packing with Tyler Burton of Lichen Bike Tours. From essential gear to backcountry adventures, Tyler breaks down everything you need to hit the roads and trails on two wheels. We also chat about the lighting of the fire towers, previous hikes and a rattlesnake relocation. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite p...

Welcome to Episode 185 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, we’re joined by Scott van Laer to dive into the story of the Forest Ranger Foundation—a volunteer-driven effort making sure New York’s forest rangers have the gear and support they need when it matters most. We’ll also talk about Tara Dower’s impressive FKT, a tragic drowning in Harriman, and the latest rescues from the Catskills. Make sure to subsc...

Welcome to Episode 184 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, we hear a first-hand account of a Catskills rescue. Kate Henderson shares her story of fracturing her ankle on Dry Brook Ridge and what it was like to be carried out of the wilderness. Joining us is past guest Joanne, who witnessed the rescue and offers her own perspective. We’ll also dive into the recent hiking ban in Nova Scotia and the new upcomi...

Welcome to Episode 183 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, I go solo for the first half, rambling about recent stories, recent hikes and more. Then in the second half, Tad and I chat about the recent DEC webinar on the informal trails VUMP. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOL...

Welcome to Episode 182 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and I are diving into UMPs—yeah, those mysterious Unit Management Plans. We’ll chat about what they actually are, why they matter for the places we hike, and how you can get involved without falling asleep. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you'...

Welcome to Episode 181 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and I sit down with “The Bald Eagle Guy” himself—Scott Van Arsdale. From climbing trees to rescue eaglets to helping bring America’s national symbol back from the brink, Scott’s done it all. We dive into his remarkable career, his new book, and the untold stories behind decades of eagle conservation in the Northeast. We also chat about recent re...

Welcome to Episode 180 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight Tad and I take a deep dive into the new DEC management plan for the trailless peaks—yeah, we go there…and it's good! We also chat about recent rescues and previous hikes. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!

Li...

Welcome to Episode 179 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and I are joined by the one and only Diana—better known as @naturaddictlady! We dive into her passion for photography, her love for the trails, and her epic adventures with her trail buddy, Roxy the pup. But that’s not all—we’re also breaking down the 2024 Catskill 3500 Club canister stats and comparing them to previous years. Make sure to subsc...

Welcome to Episode 178 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and Tad and I chat with Appalachian Trail ridge runner Dillon Utter! Dillon tells us what it’s like being a ridge runner on the AT. We also chat about the Woodland Valley UMP, recent rescues and an unfortunate death at Kaaterskill Falls. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tu...

Welcome to Episode 176 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This episode is our live recording from the Mountain Top Historical Society! We chat MTHS Board Members Cyndi LaPierre, Dede Terns Thorpe, and Bob Gildersleeve (Chief Archivist), The Catskill Geologist Robert Titus, and Paul LaPierre from the Empire State Railway Museum to discuss the history of the railroad system of the Catskills, the restoration of the hi...

Welcome to Episode 177 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! The live episode will be air next week! Tonight, Tad and his daughter, Sophronia, chat with me about their experience out west where they spent 5 days exploring Death Valley. We also chat about new information from the Katahdin deaths, John Kelly pushing for the FKT on the AT and additional protection for rock sculptures on Overlook. Make sure to subscribe o...

Welcome to Episode 175 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, we sit down with Maraleen Manos-Jones, the 'Butterfly Woman,' to talk about all things Monarchs—migration, conservation, and why these iconic pollinators matter now more than ever. We also dive into the recovery on Mount Katahdin, the Catskill 3500 Club dinner, and talk about the unsettling PCT murders in Washington. Make sure to subscribe on your...

Welcome to Episode 174 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, we're joined by Tom Gravel, Senior Project Land Manager at the Open Space Institute, for an in-depth conversation about OSI’s recent massive 3,100-acre acquisition on Blue Hill in the southern Catskills. We dig into what this means for conservation, recreation, and the future of public access in the region. We also take a look at the development p...

Welcome to episode 173! With Tad off chasing tumbleweeds out west, I’m holding down the fort with historian and author A.J. Schenkman, who joins me to talk about his book Wicked Ulster County. We’re diving into the wild side of local history—think gangs, thieves, shady characters, and scandalous tales that once rocked the Hudson Valley. Oh, and there’s good news for the Catskills: we break down what the new NYS budget means for the...

Welcome to episode 172! Tonight, Tad and I take a trip back in time with filmmaker, comedian, and pop culture historian Ron MacCloskey as he shares vivid and hilarious memories from the golden days of the Borscht Belt. From iconic entertainers to behind-the-scenes stories, Ron brings the Catskills' heyday to life—and proves he’s still very much in step with today’s world. We also cover recent Catskill headlines, including a rescue ...

Welcome to episode 171! Tonight, Tad and I crack open a conversation with Kyle Sherrer, the founder of North Hudson Ciders. We dive into Kyle’s journey building a cider brand that’s not just about great taste—but also about giving back. From trail stewardship to community support, Kyle shares how Hudson North Ciders is raising the bar with volunteer work and donations that help keep our favorite outdoor spaces alive and well. We al...