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

Episode #400 - Chris Marshburn (Roll Tide)

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

Steve Adams

Sports, Wilderness

4.8599 Ratings

🗓️ 16 November 2023

⏱️ 71 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

For our 400th show today, I have Chris Marshburn, or Roll Tide, as my guest. Chris is a phenomenal steward for the trail, having been a Caretaker in New England and, this year, the sole Ridgerunner on the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies.

His generosity of spirit, along with his curious nature, shines through in our conversation; indeed, it was during our recording that I decided he'd be the perfect guest to celebrate this episode milestone.

You can see Chris's awesome photos on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tndefender/ and find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christopher.marshburn?mibextid=9R9pXO

He also provided me with great articles that tell what is involved in being a ridgerunner and a Back Country Caretaker.

https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/ridgerunners-voice-for-the-trail/

https://she-explores.com/freeform/whats-it-like-to-work-in-the-woods/

We had a voicemail from one of our listeners today, with Crystal Glynn sharing a personal Trail Magic experience. I hope that listeners feel similarly inspired to share some of their stories using the microphone at the bottom right-hand corner of our website hikingradionetwork.com

Then, I woke up Jessica Lang-Wright for her to update me on her steady progress as she is now less than 500 miles from the end of her own epic journey.

If you'd like to find out more about "Then The Hail Came," check out George's website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/. You can also find George's book on Amazon at this link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6.

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. https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/guests/intake/

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 https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Additionally, we accept Venmo and Zelle through steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Any support is gratefully received.

You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/, or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You are listening to the Hiking Radio Network, where we talk the walk with shows by hikers

0:05.3

about hikers for everybody. Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail, the ultimate midlife crisis, joined Steve and his guests every week as he staggers from Georgia to Maine.

0:33.5

Hey guys, it's me again, Steve Adams on Mighty Blue.

0:36.6

And today is the 400th episode of Mighty Blue on the Appalachshund Trail, the ultimate midlife crisis.

0:43.1

I had plans for this show, plans I intend to follow through with at some stage in the future.

0:48.4

But I decided on today's guest for the show when I was interviewing him just last week.

0:53.1

His name is Chris Marshburn,

0:54.5

and if you were lucky, you may have met him while you were hiking the AT in the Smokers this

0:59.2

year, because Chris took on the challenge of being the sole trail runner for the smokers this

1:03.7

season. And while we were chatting, I thought to myself that I couldn't celebrate this landmark

1:08.2

any better than by bringing his story to you.

1:11.1

Because frankly, it's people like Chris, and I know there are many others whose sole

1:15.1

intention is to improve hikers' lives. It is those people who allow us to get on these

1:20.2

magnificent trials. And after all, isn't that something worth celebrating? So Chris will be on

1:25.2

in a moment. After Chris, we've got a voice message from one of our

1:29.0

listeners, Crystal Glynn, who wanted to share a little bit of trail magic with us. Then we catch up

1:33.7

with a clearly sleepy Jessica Langright. We spoke at 6.30 Wednesday morning, and I think I must have

1:41.4

woken her up. But after eight months out there already, Jessica

1:44.4

is still making progress and hopes to be done by mid-December. With no other Mighty Blue

1:50.1

Class of 23 members still in play, we'll be having the end of Chapter 23 of Then the Hail

1:54.9

came, where George crosses the Kenny Beck and makes it to Monsoon. So let's get going

1:59.7

and meet a special guest, Chris Marshburn or

...

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