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PODCAST

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

An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It"s a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trail magic and injury.

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All Episodes

58:53

Episode #503 - Mike Wetherhold (Push)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/08/21

Mike Wetherhold, who was in the running to be part of the Mighty Blue Class of 2025, is our guest today. Mike went ahead and started the Appalachian Trail at the end of February, and finished mid-July. As you’ll hear, he is a resilient kind of guy. Mike also had a serious purpose to his hike, raising a considerable sum for ALS research in honor of his Uncle Jay, who died from the disease. He felt Uncle Jay’s presence throughout his hike. If this resonates with you, please support his efforts at

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01:26:10

Episode #502 - Mike Innes (Bobcat)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/08/14

Our guest today is Mike Innes, or Bobcat, who hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2007, just before the explosion of technological marvels that help hikers these days. It was also the era when lightweight gear was about to become an obsession, so it was interesting to speak with Mike about his experience. Mike hiked with his dog, Romeo, for part of the way, and Romeo even acquired the delicious trail name of Swamp Monster. You can follow Mike on Instagram at

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01:12:05

Episode #501 - Madison Boehm (Rescue)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/08/07

This interview was four years in the making, with Maddie Boehm our main guest, four years after we first made contact. It was worth the wait, as Maddie talks about her somewhat tricky start with backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. She was badly under-prepared for what she would face, but her resilience and her ability to learn from her mistakes were what pushed her through. Along the way, she discovered something within her that had eluded her for much of her life. Maddie talks about plus-size

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01:19:44

Episode #500 - Jessica Hawkins (Dixie)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/07/31

Welcome to episode 500 of the Mighty Blue podcast, with Jessica Hawkins, or Dixie, as our main guest. Jessica has been a guest several times before, but in this conversation, we focus on recent life events and her hiking within a family structure. As ever, Jessica is engaging and gives nuanced answers to questions, exposing her own vulnerabilities while remaining a solid source of wisdom about hiking. You can follow Jessica in several ways, primarily via her YouTube channel at

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01:17:26

Episode #499 - Charlie Rogers (Pilgrim)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/07/24

Our 499th episode features Charlie Rogers, a fellow member of the AT Class of 2019, and an all-round good guy who gives back to the trail as a trail maintainer and shuttle driver. Charlie and I never met, but I would have enjoyed his gentle wit had we met. When he had completed his bucket list item, Charlie took on the role of caretaker at Stanimals Hostel in Glasgow, then moved full time into the area. He still returns to the north from time to time to hike in the White Mountains. Beth and

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01:15:25

Episode #498 - Brigid Bell (Purple Haze)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/07/17

Brigid Bell set out on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail just two years ago, and had the most extraordinary encounter in the Smokies. That she lived to tell the tale–and continued her thru-hike–is testament to her resilience and the calmness she gained as a 911 dispatcher. Brigid not only flourished on the trail, but she also grew a deep love for the community she found there, and wanted to give back, eventually finding her way into hostel ownership, at the excellent Weary Feet Hostel. You can

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01:13:32

Episode #497 - Jim & Sarah Klepzig (Rocky Root &...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/07/10

Our guests today are Jim and Sarah Klepzig, a couple who lost their 22-year-old son, Tristan, in a terrible car accident five years ago. Tristan is on the left in the picture below, taken just two weeks prior to his accident. How they responded to this tragedy, turning to hiking as a way to heal, has been inspiring and helped the two of them navigate the world after their son. They carry keyrings to commemorate Tristan on their hikes up the Appalachian Trail and other trails. Tristan was a big fan

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01:18:44

Episode #496 - Charles Bruce (Tracker)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/07/03

We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he completed his thru-hike. Charles is from the northeast, and one of his passions is to track white-tailed deer through the snow. While those skills didn’t help with his thru-hike, they gave him his awesome trail name! We’ll hear why he needed to be finished before October, and his current plan to keep a promise he made to his wife. Beth and

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01:18:05

Episode #495 - Dr Lynne Savino (Older hikers on trail)

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/06/26

Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she discusses older hikers on trail. She brings her normal passion for hiking and medicine to the podcast, teaching me a few things along the way. We also caught up with Dave, Beth and Andrew, as they all cope with the heat bubble on the east coast of the US. Dave has moved into Connecticut, his 10th state, and he got this stunning, early-morning

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58:12

Episode #494 - The End and Epilogue on the Camino de...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/06/19

This is it; the final days on my Camino trip in Spain. We cover the final four days, as well as interviews with Dave, plus Beth and Andrew from the Appalachian Trail. Next week, we'll be back to normal!

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42:25

Episode #493 - Days 29-31 on the Camino de Santiago

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/06/12

Almost there, with the trail now full of people since Sarria. I should be finished this weekend. Also, Dave is well past the 1200 mile mark and feeling the full effects of Pennsylvania. It hurts!!

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38:13

Episode #492 - Days 25-28 on the Camino de Santiago

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/06/09

We’re closing in on the end and I’m not sure Im ready to be done. We’re back into the mountains and views are opening up all around us. Beth and Andrew have been joined by more friends to hike with for a few weeks.

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44:39

Episode #491 - Days 22-24 on the Camino de Santiago

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/06/05

I’m back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I’m meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love hiking!!! Dave has passed Harper’s Ferry and pushing into Pennsylvania and the rocks!

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19:01

Episode #490 - Day 21 and a Road Trip Back

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/06/02

Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail via England, where I watched my beloved Mighty Blues in their unexpected play off final. we also hear again from Beth and Andrew as they take on the first part of the Virginia Triple Crown; Dragon’s Tooth in the rain.

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30:53

Episode #489 - Day Twenty and a Road Trip

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/05/29

The first half of my Camino hike is done and I’ve arrived at Léon for my scheduled break with family (and a soccer match). Dave is near the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail and has recovered his mojo.

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34:36

Episode #487 - Days Thirteen to Fifteen on the Camino...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/05/27

Past the two-week mark and into the Meseta, the journey continues with intimate conversation, communal meals, and changing, yet still beautiful scenery. We also catch up with Beth and Andrew as they move on from Trail Days.

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35:22

Episode #488 - Days Sixteen to Nineteen on the Camino...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/05/26

The Meseta is about to end and I’m about to head south for a few days for a family party. The break has come at a good time to help my feet recover from a pounding. Beth and Andrew take responsibility for Rufus, a bowling ball. Weird? Yep.

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50:29

Episode #486 - Days Nine to Twelve on the Camino de...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/05/19

I’m at Burgos on my Camino adventure and about to head into the Meseta; an entirely different landscape from these first two weeks. Let’s catch up with days number 9-12. also on the show, Dave has returned to Montana and is readjusting to life back on trail. Beth and I were unable to communicate in time, so we’ll hear how she and Andrew have been doing, as well as their first experience of Trail Days.

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41:52

Episode #485 - Days Six to Eight on the Camino de...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/05/15

No notes but an extended catch up with Dave as well as my latest exploits on the Camino

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47:59

Episode #484 - Days Two to Five on the Camino de...

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate... ·

2025/05/12

No notes due to current circumstances other than to mention that this show covers days 2-5 on my Camino de Santiago in Spain, as well as the latest catch up Beth and Andrew on the Appalachian Trail.

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