You are listening to the Hiking Radio Network, where we talk the walk with shows by hikers about hikers for everybody. A bit more than being I bet you weren't expecting that, were you? First, thanks for coming back to the show.

And today, for me, is a little bit nostalgic. As November 9th, 2018, five years ago to the day,

it was the day I completed the Camino de Santiago with my beloved niece Emma. It was a wonderful

hike and as both of us were going through divorces at the time, it was quite a poignant time

for both of us. But we laughed. We had a few, let's say sad moments, but most of all, that

hype made me realise we were both going to survive our breakups and the physicality and the

sheer joy of such a hike really put me in

the right frame of mind to go for my second Appalachian Trail through hike in 2019.

So today I'm interviewing two guests, both of whom did a 2023 commino.

The first will be Beth Bakistengen, who I met on the TSX Challenge to Mount Whitney last year.

Beth went for her second Camino this year and went on the one that Emma and I did, the Camino Franca. After Beth, we'll be speaking with Frank Levine, who I actually met on my 2019-80 through hike when he drove two hours to present me with a rain guilt he made specially for me. I still use it. Frank did the Portuguese Camino this year, which is a hike

than my partner, Dana and I intend to hike in 2025. So there really is some symmetry and good

karma here this week. But to give you all your Appalachian Trail fix, between our Dos Camino's,

we're going to be speaking with Joanne Flagg from the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail

on Springham Mountain, Georgia,

and she reached it last Thursday to conclude her through hike. Also, Jessica Lang Wright catches us up with her progress as she pushes on to complete her through hike.

We'll have to miss out on the Then the Hell Cames section this week, because it's quite a long show, but I'll be including it in next week's show. First up, here's my friend, Beth Bakke Stenjum, whom I love way too much. Here's Beth. We've got a friend of mine on the show today, although I do have a few issues pronouncing her name. She's just reminded what it is. This is Beth Barke-Stengem.

Hey, Beth, thanks for coming on the podcast. Thanks for having me, Steve. And I suppose it was likely

I was going to get it right as you told me literally seconds before we started. So, Beth Barke-Sedgem.

Now, you and I met as fellow members of Team 6 on our TSX Challenge last August.

I know you've been the listeners to the show in the past.

But that was a really special week for all of us out there as we really came together as a team.

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