Some freestyle holiday rambling.  Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

In 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 this very important topic, we get some good trail talk too.  Dr Michel's Reddit PostThe Appalachian Trail Reddit PageDr-Peanut's CDT BlogReptarGet 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on Instagram   Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

We're back! As promised:  Round AnimalsThumbelina ReptarGet 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on Instagram   Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

An episode about nothing.  (Re-uploaded with fixed audio!)  Links in this episode:  Hike for Mental HealthRadFlix

Easily 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 ATHow he learned of the trailWhat his first few days were likeHow did it feel to be stalked by fans?What's Lemmy been up to since the trail?And more Listeners who support the show have already heard the next THREE episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of hikers waiting for a cool shirt to mysteriously appear in the Hiker Box. This raw audio includes TWO episodes that no one else will ever hear. Ever. 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

Ryan 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 first half of our conversation (and my story!) on spotify, apple, stitcher,etc... And you should!  Go get it!  Pocket CastsSpotifyAppleTravel for a Loop on Facebook Listeners who support the show have already heard the next THREE episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of office workers staring at the clock waiting to go on a hike. This raw audio includes TWO episodes that no one else will ever hear. Ever. 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

Each 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, July 18, 2019 — Once a month in June and July we bring our Appalachian Trail ridgerunners to Blackburn for a little R&R and a short business meeting.  Outside guests from the Conservancy, NPS and our trail club are often invited.  In August they travel to the Scott Farm training center outside Carlisle, PA where they rejoin their mid-Atlantic peers for an official seasonal debrief and a personal comparing of notes. Our MO is pretty standard.  We show up Thursday afternoon for some social time, prepare a meal and have some beer.  Friday morning we do cook-your-own pancakes with a 9 o’clock hard start for our meeting which varies between 90 minutes and three hours. Lunch is leftovers if there are any. Ridgerunners are usually fairly stoic people.  They are selected for their maturity, judgment, commitment and intelligence. But what are they really like when they let their hair down and no one else is looking? Listeners who support the show have already heard the next THREE episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of wood thrushes waiting for the cicadas to stop. This raw audio includes TWO episodes that no one else will ever hear. Ever. 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Get more great Podcasts by The Trek.

File 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 #BeAGameChanger National Award for Media Initiative of the Year 2018.       In this episode we discuss: * Does Sarah have a trail name and where did it come from? * Sports, she was active in lacrosse, hockey and rounders * Duke of Edinborough award * After college, sara took on a high pressure job in the financial field, kep crazy hours, stopped doing sports. * She was getting ten minutes of fresh air a day * at the age of 32 she first asked herself "what should I do with my life" * She traveled for 18 months, mostly in South America * Machu Picchu, Bolivian Salt Flats, cycled Death Road, Climbed in Chile, Kilimanjaro * This inspired the birth of "Tough Girl Challenges" * Why backpacking is better than sitting on a beach somewhere * What it's like succeeding in primarily male-dominated environments and how that influenced her * Female specific safety tips you wouldn't have thought of * The power of podcasting and the challenges of starting one * Sarah describes getting through a hard time: the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_des_Sables - six Marathons in six days, in desert, carrying all your stuff - 52 miles in one day, getting into that headspace that thru hikers recognize, living from one step to the next, and how gratitude helps combined with Training * The power of gratitude * Being able to look back on a "worst day" is valuable, so go make 'em. :) * How to get out of the cycle of beating ones self up for "failure" or difficulty * AT in 100 days * How to "take the first step" and then build and keep momentum * Her guests are female adventurers of all ages, all levels of education, all kinds of jobs and backgrounds * Chrissie Wellington, 4 time Ironman Champion * Cheryl Strayed for Episode 100 * Roz Savage, first woman to row solo across 3 oceans * What it's like to not succeed, and why that's okay * How she went from being someone no one's ever heard of to sending heart emojis back and forth with Cheryl Strayed * What advice does Sarah have for women who are about to get started in outdoor adventuring?   Check out the Tough Girl Challenges PodcastTough Girl Challenges on YouTubeSarah Williams on Patreon   Listeners who support the show have already heard the next THREE episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of bankers waiting for our two weeks of holiday. This includes ONE episode that no one else will ever hear. Ever. 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Get more great Podcasts by The Trek.

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 episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of stuffed animals waiting for the claw to pull us out of this infernal plastic box. This includes ONE episode that no one else will ever hear. Ever. 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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Get more great Podcasts by The Trek.

Steve 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 call us from a listeners house in Pennsylvania. In this incredibly busy hour, we talk about: What it's like hiking the AT a second timeSeeing the same views from different perspectivesMax PatchWhy you shouldn't let facebook color your view of the hiking communityBeer and wineWhat makes an integral hike?Standing Bear FarmPodcastingWriting in American EnglishThe John Muir TrailElevation SicknessCamino de SantiagoPoopAnd so much more!     Listeners who support the show have already heard the next FOUR episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of bottles of wind that Mighty Blue hasn't uncorked yet. This includes ONE episode that no one else will ever hear.  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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Get more great Podcasts by The Trek.

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 destroyed the FKT for the Arizona Trail.  Legend on InstagramBlog Post: Reflections on the AZT FKT Listeners who support the show have already heard the next FOUR episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of horses who haven't learned to talk yet.  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 FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Get more Podcasts by The Trek.

Bill 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 support the show have already heard the next FOUR episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of actors from the 80s who still haven't been cast in a hiking movie yet.  Get more episodes AND support the show!Fozzie's Top Ten Favorite Werner Herzog FilmsWhy aren't you watching Reptar Hikes!?Email the show. No, seriously. Email the show.Stories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN our LIVE INTERNET AUDIENCE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Get more Podcasts by The Trek.  BONUS!!! Becky's Thought Provoking Questions about this film:  Email us your thoughts. "Hiking is not walking" A simple question is what's the difference? Is it hiking only when you have a stick or a backpack? "You are not doing this alone" Did anyone's significant other lay down any ground rules before agreeing a long distance hike was a good idea? What adjustments did you have to make because of loved ones' issues? "You ARE too old" How much does health/age play into a thru hikes? Did you all have physicals before leaving home? "Can you tell if people are going to make it all the way to Maine when you drop them off?" As you met others on the trail could you tell, as hikers yourselves, who would not make it? "You never know what lies ahead." What thing made this true for each of you? "Can't be uphill all the way to Maine!" Is the AT uphill mostly? Or any of the other long distance trails? Mary Ellen criticized their tents and the other guy asked about Bryson's pack. What would you say is the most talked about piece of gear among hikers? I can read our local newspaper in five minutes and be satisfied. But when I was at PV's for so long I found myself buying papers because I missed them. When you got to town what did you "have" to have as far as reading material? Maybe nothing. Did you ever strike out to walk for something in town like Bryson tried to walk to KMart and found it impossible? Maybe forgetting you weren't on the trail? Who do you identify with from the movie? Bryson? Katz? Mary Ellen? the two young helpful guys? The annoying nerd in the bunkhouse? Katz had his whiskey bottle, Bryson had his walking stick, Lemmy had his memory sticks. What do you feel you "have" to carry on hikes?

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 for starting the AT, big adventures out west and her journey hiking Hadrian's Wall, an ancient defensive fortification in the Roman province of Britannia. Oh, and poop. Rabbit on InstagramRabbitHikes  Listeners who support the show have already heard the next FOUR episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of highschool kids who haven't been issued lockers yet.  Get more episodes AND support the show!Survival Tarp at Etowah GearReptar Hikes!Email the showStories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN US and listen LIVE on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Stories From the Trail is presented by The Trek.

June 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 upcoming PCT hike, and we give away not one, but TWO prizes to our listeners. One of which could be you!   Listeners who support the show have already heard the next THREE episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of Storm Troopers who haven't been issued blasters yet.  Get more episodes AND support the show!Survival Tarp at Etowah GearGuthook GuidesReptar Hikes!Email the showStories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN US on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible! Stories From the Trail is presented by The Trek.

Reptar, 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 at the door.  Get more episodes AND support the show!Reptar Hikes!Email the showStories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramJOIN US on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

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 already heard the next FOUR episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of hungry hikers waiting to eat bacon from a pig that's still squealin'.  Get more episodes AND support the show!Reptar Hikes!Fozzie's House of Oompah Loompah MusicStories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramStories From the Trail on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

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 InstagramWilderboundTwerk's Hiker Trash VogueEtowah Gear Listeners who support the show have already heard the next three episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of schmucks waiting to see a movie that hasn't even been cast yet.  Get more episodes AND support the show!Reptar Hikes!Fozzie's House of StrudelStories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramStories From the Trail on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

Hiker 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 VogueFollow Twerk on InstagramTommyCorey.com Listeners who support the show have already heard the next three episodes while you and I sit here like a couple of schmucks waiting for a bus that hasn't even been built yet.  Join our community AND support the show!Reptar Hikes!Stories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramStories From the Trail on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

Our 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 InstagramRaising awareness for more diversity in the outdoors, video Listeners who support the show have already heard the next three episodes while you and I sit here like a couple bozos waiting for a train that ain't comin'.  Join our community AND support the show!Reptar Hikes!Stories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramStories From the Trail on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!

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, inspirational and hilarious time wit Second Chance Hiker. Follow Second Chance Hiker on YoutubeSupport Second Chance on Patreon Thanks for listening! Join our community AND support the show!Reptar Hikes!Stories From The Trail on FacebookStories From the Trail on InstagramStories From the Trail on Discord Get the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? for free when you join Audible!