Our guest today is Mike Innes, or Bobcat, who hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2007, just before the explosion of technological marvels that help hikers these days. It was also the era when lightweight gear was about to become an obsession, so it was interesting to speak with Mike about his experience.

Mike hiked with his dog, Romeo, for part of the way, and Romeo even acquired the delicious trail name of Swamp Monster.

You can follow Mike on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mountainmike2007?igsh=MW02ZnRpeXYxcnZmOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr , and on his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@mikeinnes9053?si=1wqNRrG-p5XMZHcF

Our Class of 2025 are nearing Katahdin, with Dave just about to enter the 100 Mile Wilderness, so he is in his last week. Here are the Gang at Shaw's.

Menawhile, Beth and Andrew have crossed the Connecticut River in New Hampshire and just a few days shy of the Whites. Great times, though I didn't get an extra picture this week.

We also spoke with Bruce Matson about the Woods Hole Weekend, which is coming up in September. If you'd like to join us, spaces are VERY limited right now, so call 540-921-3444 as soon as you can if you'd like to join us. Any questions about the weekend can be answered by Bruce, who is at rtkchallenge@gmail.com

You can check out the details of the weekend at the Woods Hole website at https://woodsholehostel.com/things-to-do/the-woods-hole-weekend/ . I hope to see some of you there. If you need any more convincing, check out this from one of Ramdino's YouTube postings, where Luscious tells about his Woods Hole experience prior to his own thru-hike. Check it out at minute 16:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLq6qUb-ldE&list=PLSmwvefzlV2nKVkdEj1MDG5785FnkfDEi&index=3.

I used my hike last year 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 https://parentingmattersfl.org/eventer/hike-with-steve-empowering-parents-one-step-at-a-time/edate/2024-04-15/. 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8ImK4qpNc&list=PLu8u88nsJtgWZxT8DLwEW2yXcz4gT6HXs 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.

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/

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