The Trail Dames Podcast

Anna Huthmaker

In the Trail Dames Podcast we speak with "women who like to dance upon this earth." We are a supportive group of women hikers. Some will make you laugh, some may make you cry, but all will inspire you to join us and dance upon this earth. read less
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Episodes

Episode #250 Lagniappe - Karen Rutter
1w ago
Episode #250 Lagniappe - Karen Rutter
Dr. Karen Lord Rutter is a retired teacher and administrator with over 30 years in education whose work with students ranged from preschool through high school. Dr. Rutter has a passion for travel, children, animals, and perpetual learning. Her first novel was inspired when her son, David, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with the family dog, Copper. Her love of the Appalachian Trail was born after David invited her to hike a few sections of the A.T. as he progressed on his journey. From those Appalachian Trail adventures with Copper and David, Northbounders was born. With deep roots as an educator, she incorporated history, geography, science, math, and enriched vocabulary into Copper and David's story. Guest Links- Karen's book - https://karenlordrutter.press/book.html Karen on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KarenLordRutter/ Karen on Twitter - @‌karenlordrutter Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #247 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the AT (May 28-29)
Feb 20 2024
Episode #247 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the AT (May 28-29)
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those original Pack 31 folks can often be found at the Gathering, sharing their stories and knowledge with a new class of hikers. Guest Links- The Ordinary Adventurer- https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Adventurer-Vermonts-Adventurers-Musings/dp/0979708109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NFP8PYVQADLE&keywords=jan+leitschuh&qid=1644972714&sprefix=jan+leitschuh%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1 Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #246 - Kara Hardman (Thicket Adventure)
Feb 13 2024
Episode #246 - Kara Hardman (Thicket Adventure)
Bio- Kara Hardman is the Chief Fun Officer of Thicket Adventure and a curvy adventurer living in Colorado. Her favorite adventures include hiking with her adorable dog and kayaking. Kara has been in a plus size body for many years and understands the thought work it takes to love yourself exactly as you are. In March 2019, Kara climbed Kilimanjaro with the Cury Kili Crew, an all women’s group of curvy hikers, for International Women’s Day. This trip convinced her of the need for size inclusive experiences. Guest Links- Thicket Adventure Website - https://thicketadventure.com/ Thicket Adventure on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thicketadventure Thicket Adventure on IG - https://www.instagram.com/thicketadventure/ Thicket Adventure on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thicketadventure Thicket Adventure on LinkdIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thicket-adventure/?viewAsMember=true Kili Big - https://www.crackle.com/search?term=kili+big Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #244 - Fifth Tuesday - Bonnie Nork
Jan 30 2024
Episode #244 - Fifth Tuesday - Bonnie Nork
Bio- Bonnie Nork lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, Mike, and daughter, Elaina. Her son, Ryan, is in college. Being active in the outdoors has always been a big part of Bonnie’s life. With adventurous parents, she was always out and about as a child, either hiking, backpacking, river rafting, on horseback rides, on canoe pack trips, and more! When Grand Staircase Escalante was signed into a national monument in 1996, her parents planned a backpacking trip there. The whole family was smitten with the landscape, and now Bonnie relishes being able to share such special areas with her husband and children. With such a soft spot for the southwest, Bonnie seems to be finding herself in southern Utah more and more. She landed a position with the Bureau of Land Management as a safety patrol volunteer for North Coyote Buttes, the wilderness area that is home to the famous Wave landmark. In 2023 Bonnie was able to split numerous patrols between three different trips, solo in April, with her daughter in June, and with her brother in September. She’s found this experience to be incredibly fulfilling, with each hike throwing interesting interactions her way (seasoned hikers, guides, unprepared tourists, law enforcement, influencers, etc!). Bonnie also hikes in her own backyard, and really anywhere else she can carve out tile to do so! For example, she summited Mt Shasta, 14,179’ twice in 2023, with one trip being an overnight and the following done in one day! Crater Lake National Park, the Mountain Lakes Wilderness, and the Sky Lakes Wilderness are all favorite local hiking and backpacking spots. ‌Guest Links- Bonnie on Facebook - Bonnie Nork's Custom Baked Goods | Klamath Falls OR BLM Volunteer Opportunities - U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Volunteer Opportunities - VolunteerMatch Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: Trail Dames The Summit: The Summit 2022 - Presented by the Trail Dames The Trail Dames Foundation: Trail Dames Charitable Foundation | Home Instagram: Instagram (@traildames) Facebook: Trail Dames | Facebook Hiking Radio Network: Hiking Radio Network Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: Instagram (@hikingradionetwork) Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" The Burns Sisters
Episode #242 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the AT (May 24-25)
Jan 16 2024
Episode #242 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the AT (May 24-25)
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those original Pack 31 folks can often be found at the Gathering, sharing their stories and knowledge with a new class of hikers. Guest Links- The Ordinary Adventurer- https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Adventurer-Vermonts-Adventurers-Musings/dp/0979708109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NFP8PYVQADLE&keywords=jan+leitschuh&qid=1644972714&sprefix=jan+leitschuh%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1 Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #241 - Judy Young (Gray Jay)
Jan 9 2024
Episode #241 - Judy Young (Gray Jay)
Bio- Born on a dairy and tobacco farm, one of my chores was bringing in the cows for milking. I enjoyed walking over our 100 acres to get the cows, or just to be out in Nature. I had never heard of hiking trails…I followed the cow paths. After graduating from High School in 1963, I attended three different universities to achieve my BA in teaching, MA, and a Rank One (30 hours above the Masters). I taught at a Middle School for 20 years…Physical Education and Science. Then I taught Elementary PE until I retired after 27 years. I continued to substitute teach for many years, teaching mostly Science at the middle schools and high school. Before beginning long distance hiking, I was a “handler” for my friend who raced sled dogs. I scooped the poop, cleaned the dog lot, helped with feeding and training with four wheelers. We traveled to races in Wisconsin and Wyoming. I learned about the Appalachian Trail from a book, years before I could begin hiking it. Once I learned there was a footpath from Georgia to Maine, I read everything I could find about the trail. I fantasized & dreamed about one day having my own adventure. Finally, after reading Jean Deeds book…There Are Mountains to Climb…it was time for me to go. A Thru-hike, hiking the entire trail in one year, was my goal. But life got in the way…and so I was a section hiker. It took 4 years (1999, 2000, 2002, & 2003) for me to finish when I was in my 50’s. Since then I have hiked many trails, not only in the US but also in Newfoundland, Scotland, Europe, and recently in Nepal. I am now 78 and still hiking…just looking for easier trails. Guest Links- Pranatreks on Facebook - Prana Treks & Expedition Pvt.Ltd | Pokhara Pranatreks website - PRANA TREKS EXPEDITION PVT. LTD Collin Chambers - Wildwood Magic - WildWood Magic Collin Chambers - Wildwood Circle - The WildWood Circle | Facebook Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: Trail Dames The Summit: The Summit 2022 - Presented by the Trail Dames The Trail Dames Foundation: Trail Dames Charitable Foundation | Home Instagram: Instagram (@traildames) Facebook: Trail Dames | Facebook Hiking Radio Network: Hiking Radio Network Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: Instagram (@hikingradionetwork) Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" The Burns Sisters
Episode #240 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the Trail (May 22-23)
Jan 2 2024
Episode #240 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the Trail (May 22-23)
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those original Pack 31 folks can often be found at the Gathering, sharing their stories and knowledge with a new class of hikers. Guest Links- The Ordinary Adventurer- https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Adventurer-Vermonts-Adventurers-Musings/dp/0979708109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NFP8PYVQADLE&keywords=jan+leitschuh&qid=1644972714&sprefix=jan+leitschuh%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1 Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #239 - Heather Kelly (Heather's Choice)
Dec 26 2023
Episode #239 - Heather Kelly (Heather's Choice)
Bio- I was born and raised in Alaska, where I still call home today. I was a two-time NCAA National Champion in women's rowing and was voted CRCA/Pocock All-American my senior year. I still consider myself an athlete and love everything from CrossFit to weight training to long walks in the woods. At Western Washington University I earned a degree in Evolutionary Nutrition and went on to study at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating to become a certified eating psychology coach. We all have a relationship with food, and I believe it's important to cultivate a healthy, satisfying relationship with our diet for long term health. Ask me more! I love this topic! I am the founder and CEO of Heather's Choice®. We produce healthy + lightweight + packable meals and snacks for adventurers worldwide. All of our products are made in our dedicated gluten-free kitchen in Anchorage, Alaska. Our mission is to put good food in everyone's pack, no matter where their adventures may take them. Guest Links- Heathers Choice Site - Heather's Choice® | Gluten-Free Backpacking Food | Made in Alaska HC on Facebook - Heather's Choice | Anchorage AK HC on Instagram - Heather's Choice | Anchorage AK Interview with Heather - - Journal of Mountain Hunting Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: Trail Dames The Summit: The Summit 2022 - Presented by the Trail Dames The Trail Dames Foundation: Trail Dames Charitable Foundation | Home Instagram: Instagram (@traildames) Facebook: Trail Dames | Facebook Hiking Radio Network: Hiking Radio Network Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: Instagram (@hikingradionetwork) Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" The Burns Sisters
Episode #238 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the Trail (May 19-21)
Dec 19 2023
Episode #238 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the Trail (May 19-21)
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those original Pack 31 folks can often be found at the Gathering, sharing their stories and knowledge with a new class of hikers.   Guest Links- The Ordinary Adventurer- https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Adventurer-Vermonts-Adventurers-Musings/dp/0979708109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NFP8PYVQADLE&keywords=jan+leitschuh&qid=1644972714&sprefix=jan+leitschuh%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1 Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #237 - Lindsay Wenndt - Healthy Knees for Hiking
Dec 12 2023
Episode #237 - Lindsay Wenndt - Healthy Knees for Hiking
Bio- Lindsay Wenndt is a nationally certified health coach and fitness instructor, with specialty certifications in weight management and orthopedic health (a.k.a. joint pain). She’s the founder of Break Free Fitness, a curvy women’s health and fitness company that reserves 10% of its membership and coaching packages as scholarships for low-income women. Lindsay has taught more than 10,000 classes to women on topics such as reversing arthritis, exercise modifications for curvy women, and staying healthy while aging. You can find her at Lindsay Wenndt - Curvy Women's Health Coach and Fitness Trainer, or strolling the streets of Atlanta hunting for historic houses to restore, practicing German long-sword fighting, or curled up on her sofa with her two cats reading the newest Sarah J. Maas novel. Guest Links- Lindsay's Site- https://lindsaywenndt.com Workshop - Hiking with Pain-Free Knees - Monday, December 18 7:00-8:30 PM EST Hiking with Pain-Free Knees, Mon, Dec 18, 2023, 7:00 PM | Meetup Use Code PAINFREE for $10 off ticket price. Lindsay on YouTube- Lindsay Wenndt Lindsay's Freebie- Opt-In Landing - Lindsay Wenndt - Curvy Women's Health Coach and Fitness Trainer Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: Trail Dames The Summit: The Summit 2022 - Presented by the Trail Dames The Trail Dames Foundation: Trail Dames Charitable Foundation | Home Instagram: Instagram (@traildames) Facebook: Trail Dames | Facebook Hiking Radio Network: Hiking Radio Network Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: Instagram (@hikingradionetwork) Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #236 - Katlin (Katie) Rhodes
Dec 5 2023
Episode #236 - Katlin (Katie) Rhodes
Katie Rhodes is a mountain ultra runner, hiker, Wilderness Education Instructor and NYS Licensed Guide based out of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. She's currently pursuing a Masters in Conservation Biology with a focus in alpine ecology and also works as an Industrial Hygienist in the semiconductor industry. You can usually find her meandering through the woods, identifying plants, pouring over a topographic map to plan her next adventure or trail running in the mountains. Guest Links- Katlin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rhodes_and_trails/ Katlins site - https://www.lightningandlogic.com/ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.home FKT’s - https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/katlin-rhodes Thru HIke of Adirondack Peakshttps://superawesomepeople.com/women-set-record-in-thru-hike-of-the-adirondack-high-peaks/ Suny-Pottsdam Wilderness Education - https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/programs-study/wilderness-education Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #232 - Suzanne Roberts
Nov 7 2023
Episode #232 - Suzanne Roberts
Bio- Suzanne Roberts is the author of the lyrical essay collection Animal Bodies: On Death, Desire, and Other Difficulties (Longlisted for the 2023 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay),​ the award-winning travel memoir in essays Bad Tourist: Misadventures in Love and Travel (2020), and the memoir Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail (Winner of the 2012 National Outdoor Book Award), as well as four collections of poems. Named "The Next Great Travel Writer" by National Geographic's Traveler, Suzanne's work has been listed as notable in Best American Essays and included in The Best Women's Travel Writing. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, CNN, Creative Nonfiction, Brevity, The Rumpus, Hippocampus, The Normal School, River Teeth, and elsewhere. She holds a doctorate in literature and the environment from the University of Nevada-Reno, teaches in the low residency MFA program in creative writing at UNR-Lake Tahoe, and lives in South Lake Tahoe. Guest Links- Publishers site for Almost Somewhere- Almost Somewhere - University of Nebraska Press -Coupon Code for ordering Almost Somewhere - 6AF23 -Code expires November 30, 2023 Suzanne’s site - Home Suzanne on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suzanneroberts28/ Suzanne on Facebook - Suzanne Roberts Suzanne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-roberts-083ab962/ Purchase books - Order Signed Copies Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: Instagram (@traildames) Facebook: Trail Dames | Facebook Hiking Radio Network: Hiking Radio Network Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: Instagram (@hikingradionetwork) Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com
Episode #231 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the AT (May 13-14)
Oct 31 2023
Episode #231 - Lite Shoe's Tales of the AT (May 13-14)
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those original Pack 31 folks can often be found at the Gathering, sharing their stories and knowledge with a new class of hikers. Guest Links- The Ordinary Adventurer- https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Adventurer-Vermonts-Adventurers-Musings/dp/0979708109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NFP8PYVQADLE&keywords=jan+leitschuh&qid=1644972714&sprefix=jan+leitschuh%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1 Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Dames Foundation: https://www.tdcharitablefoundation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traildames/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/traildames/ Hiking Radio Network: https://hikingradionetwork.com/ Hiking Radio Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/ Music provided for this Podcast by The Burns Sisters "Dance Upon This Earth" https://www.theburnssisters.com