Episode #539 - Days 24-27 Appalachian Trail 2026

The Smokies are all but done, with glorious weather all the way with just one day to go. I think I was more concerned about them than I should have been, but it has been a pure pleasure to be hiking above the clouds at 5-6,000 feet all day long. This recap covers last Wednesday thru Saturday, when I navigated the perils of Newfound Gap, needing to get to Gatlinburg, yet stay in Cherokee. Happily it all worked out. Along the way, I chatted with a ridge runner, Houdini, who shared a few tips with me. It's been a great four days. I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow my progress between episodes, as well as photos of my journey, please go to https://www.polarsteps.com/mightyblue and click on the follow button. I used my hike in 2024 on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network . Additionally, you can join our membership at <a class= "_1yt4x7n9 _2rko12b0 _v56415x0 _1e0c1nu9 _16d9qvcn _syaz1y58 _1rkwglyw _4cvxmr28 _19it1x13 _bfhkhp5a _1a3b1r31 _4fprglyw _5goinqa1 _9oik1r31 _1bnxglyw _jf4cnqa1 _1nrm1r31 _c2waglyw _1iohnqa1 _uizt1kdv _nt751r31 _49pcglyw _1hvw1o36 _1372tlke _7ehicw00 _1j5pglyw _1di629zg" tabindex="0" role="button" href= "http://buymeacoffee.com/mightyblue" data-testid= "inlin