Stories from the Trail is the hiking community's only live call-in show, created by and for people who love to talk trail. We go beyond the Appalachian Trail don't limit our conversations to hiking. Hosts Reptar, Gary Sizer (aka "Green Giant", author of Where's the Next Shelter?) and Megan Thompson (aka "Voldemort") will bring you their conversations with people who live outside. SUPPORT THE SHOW! https://www.patreon.com/StoriesFromTheTrail
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Some freestyle holiday rambling. Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!By Gary Sizer
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SPECIAL: COVID-19 and Your Hiking Plans
1:19:25
1:19:25
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1:19:25In this episode we address the very difficult question: How might your hike impact the spread of COVID-19 in the trail community? Our qualified expert this week is Dr Kathryn Michels, (aka "Mr Peanut), a CDT SOBO thru hiker who also holds a PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer biology from the University of Virginia. In addition to covering …
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We're back! As promised: Round Animals Thumbelina Reptar Get more episodes AND support the show! Why aren't you watching Reptar Hikes!? Email the show. No, seriously. Email the show. Stories From The Trail on Facebook Stories From the Trail on Instagram Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!…
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An episode about nothing. (Re-uploaded with fixed audio!) Links in this episode: Hike for Mental Health RadFlixBy Gary Sizer
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Episode 049 - The Katahdin Koala (LEMMY!)
1:20:02
1:20:02
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1:20:02Easily our most requested guest. Listen in on this reunion between Green Giant and Lemmy. We do our best to tell his story without spiraling into inside jokes... much. Lemmy's life before the AT How he learned of the trail What his first few days were like How did it feel to be stalked by fans? What's Lemmy been up to since the trail? And more List…
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BONUS - Travel for a Loop with Ryan Bedell
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44:03Ryan Bedell has been to over 40 countries and lived in 4. He has a passion for learning about people and places different from what he’s used to, and he loves to hear the stories of others. Travel for a Loop was born out of a desire to let people tell their stories of movement, intercultural exchange, and genuine human connection. You can hear the …
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Episode 048 - The Secret Lives of Ridgerunners
1:27:58
1:27:58
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1:27:58Each month in addition to their regularly scheduled duties, Ridgerunners also get treated to some well deserved R&R. This July, Jim Fetig of ATC Headquarters invited me to join him and four NoVA Ridge Runners at the PATC's rustic cabin retreat, the Blackburn AT Center, near Harper's Ferry. From Jim's Blog: Blackburn Trail Center, Round Hill, VA, Ju…
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Episode 047 - Tough Girl Challenges with Sarah Williams
1:27:43
1:27:43
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1:27:43File this one under "Inspirational"! Sarah Williams is not only a veteran outdoor adventurer and world traveler, she has spent the past few years curating HUNDREDS of hours of conversation with other inspiring women from around the world on her amazing podcast, Tough Girl Challenges. The Tough Girl Podcast won the Women's Sports Trust #BeAGameChang…
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Chris "Muddy Moose" German is a hiker, trail angel, river guide, ice climber, shuttle driver, photographer, and all around super-cool guy. In hopefully the first of many visits, Muddy Moose tells us stories of adventure and shares much advice, both inspirational and practical. Listeners who support the show have already heard the next THREE episode…
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Episode 045 - Mighty Blue Goes Number Two
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57:26Steve Adams, trail name Mighty Blue is on the Appalachian Trail, again. Best known for his hiking memoirs "Creaking Geezer Hidden Flagon" and "Three Weddings and a Sabbatical", he also produces the popular hiking podcast "The Ultimate Midlife Crisis". Steve is currently producing his show from the trail and he took time from his busy schedule to ca…
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Calendar Year Triple Crowner, and current Arizona Trail speed record holder, Jeff Garmire did not give himself the trail name Legend. It was bestowed upon him before he even finished a single long distance hike back in 2011. In the years and miles since, he's definitely grown into it. This show was recorded on May 1st, just a few days after Legend …
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Episode 043 - Film Shakedown - A Walk in the Woods
1:54:28
1:54:28
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1:54:28Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" is the book and/or movie that introduced so many of us to the Appalachian Trail that it seems almost silly for us to have taken this long to shake it down. Come hang with the gang and we spill this thing onto the floor, pick through the parts and decide what's too heavy, and what's too light. Listeners who suppor…
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June Gear Contest Still Open Go back and check out Episode 41 (Virtual Campfire with Guthook) for details on how to win! Rachael DeLano (Trail Name: Rabbit) describes herself as "a hiker, guide, rabbit lover, and yoga teacher." She recently completed her Triple Crown and joined us for a Wednesday night hangout this May. We talked about her reasons …
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Episode 041 - Virtual Campfire with Guthook
1:26:36
1:26:36
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1:26:36June Gear Giveaway Contest announced in this episode! We're moving this one to the front of the queue so you can get in on the contest while there's still time. You have till the end of June to enter, listen for details! In this episode, Guthook joins us and we talk about chiggers and get caught up on Trail Days. Reptar tells us more about his upco…
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Episode 040 - Listener Q&A and Story Time
1:28:33
1:28:33
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1:28:33Reptar, Voldemort, Daniel, and Green Giant tell stories based on your questions: Hiking in crappy weather, meetups with randos, the coronation of Captain Underpants and more! Listeners who support the show have already heard the next FOUR episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of Price is Right contestants who forgot to pick up name tags a…
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Allyson "Clarity" Hester was a motorcycle racing grade school teacher before she broke her back. Now she's an Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker who inspires others, and continues to teach through her work as an ATC Ridge Runner, blogger, and is just an all around amazing person. Enjoy. Appalachian Trail Clarity Listeners who support the show have alread…
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Heaps is a 28 year old Kiwi who's traveled the world, mostly on foot. Hear her stories about the PCT, Anapurna Circuit, the book she's working on and more. Also, a surprise visit from last week's guest, Twerk! WARNING: We get pretty gross in this one. Heaps on Instagram Wilderbound Twerk's Hiker Trash Vogue Etowah Gear Listeners who support the sho…
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Episode 037 - Hiker Trash Vogue with Twerk
1:24:28
1:24:28
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1:24:28Hiker Trash Vogue Tommy Corey is Twerk, creator of "Hiker Trash Vogue", a book which is much more than a collection of your average hikers captured in elegant poses. It's a stunning visual work that amplifies confidence and shines a light on inner beauty, even in the dirtiest of places. Hiker Trash Vogue Follow Twerk on Instagram TommyCorey.com Lis…
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Episode 036 - Calendar Triple Crown Hiking Prodigy
1:34:43
1:34:43
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1:34:43Our guest Tyler Lau, aka "Hiking Prodigy" is the first person of color to hike all three long distance trails in the US in a single calendar year. That's 7,800 miles, and he did it with time to spare. Follow The Prodigy on Instagram Raising awareness for more diversity in the outdoors, video Listeners who support the show have already heard the nex…
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Cory is changing his life by hiking the PCT while attempting to lose 200 pounds. As he puts it, this is his "Second Chance" at life. Now a youtube sensation, we were lucky enough to get a call from Second Chance from atop a windy pass in a blizzard, just over a hundred miles into his PCT journey. Join Reptar and Green Giant for a motiviating, inspi…
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Leave No Trace mean a whole lot more than simply not putting your trash in the campfire. In this episode, we get the whole crew together (it's been a while!) to talk about this very important topic. Green Giant, Voldemort, Reptar and Fozzie also discuss the PCT, ATKO, The Yellow Deli, gear giveaways and eventually, Leave no trace, which happens to …
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Episode 033 - Luxury items with Slider!
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1:18:05
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1:18:05Amy Hunsucker, aka "Slider" carried a Trombone from Springer to Katahdin. Join Reptar and Daniel as we hang out with her and hear stories from her great adventure on the Appalachian Trail! Slider on Instagram Slider's blog Thanks for listening! Join our community AND support the show! Reptar Hikes! Stories From The Trail on Facebook Stories From th…
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Joining Green Giant and Voldemort this week: Reptar, Fozzie, and Crazy Larry for a relaxed Hiker Hangout in which we accomplish the following: Great Hiking and Climbing Flims Listener Question: Cheap Solutions to Expensive Gear Problems Overcoming the Desire to Quit During a Thru Hike New Segment: Listeners on the Trail! Thanks for listening! Join …
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Episode 031 - Hiker Q&A Panel at ATKO 2019
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55:55Finishing up our audio coverage from ATKO 2019. Hiker Q&A Panel - This year's theme: "Challenging how you think about the Trail" Hosted by Gary Sizer (Where's the Next Shelter? and Stories From the Trail) with guests: Miss Janet - Trail Angel Extraordinaire "Turnaround" - 2018 AT Flip Flopper and friend of the show "Chuck Norris" - The beard behind…
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Episode 030 - Dehydrate it Yourself - Judy Heartfire Gross
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44:54
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44:54From ATKO 2019, “Dehydrate it Yourself, Backpacking Food” presented by Judy (Heartfire) Gross of Lightheart Gear. Dehydrating Backpacking Food Facebook Group Lightheart Gear Stories From The Trail on Facebook Stories From the Trail on Instagram Stories From the Trail on Discord Join our community AND support the show!…
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Episode 029 - Welcome to ATKO 2019 with Odie
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42:43Welcome to Appalachian Trail Kickoff 2019! The event just started, and we kick things off with the welcome speech by Odie, of Hiker Yearbook fame. He practiced this one in front of his cactus, and the cactus said it was good. Enjoy!By Gary Sizer
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Episode 028 - LDPS Trail Traditions with Reptar and Fozzie
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1:48:20
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1:48:20Joining Green Giant and Voldemort this week: Reptar, Fozzie, and Crazy Larry in a big meaty discussion about tradition. In this episode people confess their sins, jump off of bridges, eat too much and nearly shit their britches. Voldemort's method of post-pee hand washing with spit water is the stuff of legend, listener questions and more! The Trek…
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Episode 027 - LDPS Gear Talk (Part 1)
1:18:40
1:18:40
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1:18:40Recorded January 16th, the 4th in our series "Long Distance Prep School". This week we barely scrape the surface of the infinitely deep topic: Gear. Featuring tips and tricks by Mark Calcagni (Laughing Totem) and Judy Heartfire Gross of LightHeart Gear. TheTrek 2018 Gear of the Year Lightheart Gear Join our community AND support the show! Where's t…
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Episode 026 - Live from REI Asheville
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1:46:36
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1:46:36Thank you REI Asheville for allowing us to record our class! From REI's website: In 2014, Gary Sizer hiked over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine, on a life changing journey called the Appalachian Trail. Enjoy an evening of delight as Gary shares his planning tips and tricks, plus stories, photos, and laughs drawn from his experiences living amidst …
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Episode 025 - LDPS Physical Training
1:17:42
1:17:42
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1:17:42Continuing our series of Long Distance Prep School with our talk about Physical Preparation. In this episode, Green Giant is not physically prepared, so Daniel takes the lead, fielding questions from you, the listener. Join us as we chat with Reptar and Keith "Fozzie" Foskett about getting fit enough to tackle the trail! Join our community AND supp…
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Most notable for calling attention to the absence of color on the Appalachian Trail, Daniel White (aka "The Blackalachian") followed up by cycling the Underground Railroad Trail in 2018. Topics discussed: Why the AT? The Underground Railroad Trail Getting hit by a truck Attacked by dogs Food Fishing on the AT Links Join our community AND support th…
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Episode 023 - LDPS Making Your Plan with Fozzie and Squatch
1:18:12
1:18:12
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1:18:12Second show in our new series "Long Distance Prep School" - Planning a long hike in 2019? (or ever?) Start here! Each week we'll record and release another class led by a hand selected panel of experts. Up this week, Keith "Fozzie" Foskett and Scott "Squatch" Harriott talking with us about Things to consider when making your plan: Work Every Detail…
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Episode 022 - LDPS What Are You Afraid Of?
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1:05:39
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1:05:39First show in our new series "Long Distance Prep School" - Planning a long hike in 2019? (or ever?) Start here! Each week we'll record and release another class led by a hand selected panel of experts. Up this week, Reptar and Miss Janet talking with us about Things new hikers might be afraid of: Guns - Do you need one? Ticks - How to prevent, and …
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Guthook's AMA (Ask Me Anything) How did Guthook get his trail name? What about the Hayduke Trail? NOLS.edu "The Secret to Good Trail Mix" Guthook's 7th best poop story The Bristol Stool Chart Also... Announcing: Long Distance Prep School Join our community AND support the show! Stories From The Trail on Facebook Stories From the Trail on Instagram…
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"Roughing It": Green Giant and Gamera get snowed in and use their camping skills to "survive". Announcing: Weekly Long Distance Hiking Prep Classes, live via Discord. Are you attempting a thru in 2019? 2020? Ever? Even if you're in the "It's still a dream phase", tune in and join us live every Wednesday, starting December 26th. Experts will help yo…
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Episode 019 - Complete! AT Flip Flop with Turnaround
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1:43:47
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1:43:47Congratulations to 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker (Flip Flop Style) Turnaround! We always say that we want the show to feel like you're eavesdropping on friends at the pub. Lately our table has grown longer, in the form of our chatroom. This episode was recorded while live streaming on Halloween night, although it's not very spooky. Chris (aka T…
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Damien Tougas (Trail name: Toe Salad) is a hiker, shoe blogger, entrepreneur, and most notably a Family Man. In 2014 he and the whole family hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, challenging enough for one person, a truly impressive feat for a family of five. In this episode we get in-depth about minimalist footwear, learn the logistics of hiking whi…
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In 2016 O'Ree Crittenden set out to hike the Georgia section of the AT. This would be enough of a challenge for any of us, but O'Ree attempted this without the use of his arms or legs. O'Ree (aka "O Dog") became paralyzed after a serious spinal cord injury 15 years prior, but instead of giving up, he became even more active. His perseverance and in…
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Episode 016 - Live! When Marmots Attack!
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1:27:37
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1:27:37In our first ever live streaming episode, the listeners call in with questions, comments and of course, stories. Eventually we wind up on the topic of animal encounters, so you'll get to hear about birds, bear, deer, trash pandas, pikas and marmots (oh my!) Surprise appearances by former guests and friends of the show, Mark Calcagni, Daniel Pitts, …
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Episode 015 - Still Got Most Of It Left with Odie
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1:11:11
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1:11:11Matthew "Odie" Norman is best known on the AT as the bus-dwelling shaggy faced creator of the Hiker Yearbook, an old-school hard back annual publication packed with history, photos and highlights from each year's "graduating class." Odie connects hikers, and we connected with him in this latest episode. Learn about the bus, the trail, and Odie's mi…
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Episode 014 - Halfway There with Turnaround
1:08:48
1:08:48
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1:08:48Back in episode 9 we met Chris, who was beginning his Appalachian Trail Thru Hike the following day. This is Chris's first long trail, and he's having the time of his life! He's encountered every type of weather, met incredible people and has experienced (and given) trail magic. And now he has a trail name. Having hiked roughly a thousand miles, Ch…
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Episode 013 - White Mountains Direttissima with Griffin Howard
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2:05:25
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2:05:25Griffin Howard attempts all 48 of New Hampshire's four-thousand foot peaks in a single hike. We spoke with Griffin as he was preparing and again after his return. Join Voldemort and Green Giant for all the questions and answers you could imagine for a project like this. What do you bring, which way do you go, and can you teach your emotional suppor…
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Episode 012 - AT Trail Days with Zach and The Hiking Viking
1:12:50
1:12:50
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1:12:50Voldemort and Green Giant team up with The Hiking Viking (Jabba) and Zach Davis (Badger) from Backpacker Radio in this joint episode, recorded at Trail Days.By Gary Sizer
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Episode 011 - Mother's Day Special: Miss Janet
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58:01Janet Hensley, aka "Miss Janet" is a well known role model among the long distance hiking community, particularly the AT. She is notorious for providing unconditional, tough love not only for hikers, but toward the trail itself. The Appalachian Trail and the culture which surrounds it would not be the same without her, and we were lucky to catch up…
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Episode 010 - Daniel's First Backpacking Trip!
1:47:35
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1:47:35In this episode we take Daniel on his first overnight backpacking trip! It's his first time spending a night in the woods, filtering water, setting up a tent, and even pooping in a hole. Sounds fun, right? It was even more fun than we expected, and the bar was pretty high. Not only did we have a great time on the trip, we enjoyed looking back on ou…
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If you were starting the Appalachian Trail tomorrow, what questions would you have? New AT hiker Chris Clevenger called the show the day before hitting the approach trail. He's been preparing, practicing and pacing for at least a year, and now his time is finally here. Voldemort is on assignment (i.e. "between internet providers") so she'll be with…
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Episode 008 - Sir Packsalot's Ten Golden Suggestions at ATKO 2018
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1:12:20
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1:12:20Bob "Sir Packsalot" Gabrielson is the proprietor of Top of Georgia Hiking Center at mile 69 (North) on the Appalachian Trail. Each year Packsalot shares his knowledge and experience at the AT Kickoff in the form of a motivational/educational talk called "The Ten Golden Suggestion for Hiking the Appalachian Trail". Sir Packsalot and Green Giant foun…
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Episode 007 - Keith Foskett High and Low
1:33:43
1:33:43
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1:33:43Keith Foskett (aka "Fozzie") is a long distance hiker, best selling author and maple syrup connoisseur. Zach Davis joins Gary and Megan to talk with Keith about hiking in Scotland, writing, self publishing, dogs, depression, and candy. Keith's new book "High and Low" is available now. Port Clinton Fire Company That Weirdo Announcer Voice Accent The…
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The Appalachian Trail Kickoff is an annual event which has been held at Amicalola Falls State Park for nearly two decades. The site is home to the world famous falls, the start of the much maligned approach trail, and a rambling lodge with spectacular views. Each year hundreds of eager newbies and grizzled veterans gather here to swap stories and s…
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In preparation for his first overnight hike, Daniel calls into the show from REI. If you've ever wanted to virtually help a new hiker select their gear, now's your chance. Or maybe you are that new hiker. Even better! We help pick out some equipment and explain a few of the mysteries behind those choices. What's a "lumens"? How many fill count do I…
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