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

Episode #583 - Days 168-170 Appalachian Trail 2026

There is a bit of everything in today's show, with an epic Katahdin day, a dicey travel day, and my first day heading south, out of Harper's Ferry.

Along the way, I got T-time and Hugh to share their experiences up on the greatest mountain.

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 th

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Episode #583 - Days 168-170 Appalachian Trail 2026

583

Oct. 1, 2026

Episode #583 - Days 168-170 Appalachian Trail 2026

There is a bit of everything in today's show, with an epic Katahdin day, a dicey travel day, and my first day heading south, out of Harper's Ferry. Along the way, I got T-time and Hugh to share their experiences up on the greatest mountain. 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 th

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Episode #582 - Days 164-167 Appalachian Trail 2026

582

Sept. 28, 2026

Episode #582 - Days 164-167 Appalachian Trail 2026

The 100 Mile Wilderness and the impending weather changed our plans several times this week. So, instead of taking nine days to get through it, we pushed on and got out in 7 days. Then, last Saturday, we reached Baxter State Park and stayed at Katahdin Stream Campground before our summit day on Sunday. Sadly, this episode covers from Wednesday until Saturday, so you'll have to wait until next time to hear how it went on Sunday. Spoiler alert, though; I took my 21st fall, and it was a biggie. I

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Episode #581 - Days 161-163 Appalachian Trail 2026

581

Sept. 25, 2026

Episode #581 - Days 161-163 Appalachian Trail 2026

It's been a long time coming, with cell service almost non-existent in the 100 Mile Wilderness, but I'm at last able to bring you Thursday's podcast. This covers our foray into the wilderness with our full packs for the first time. It's been a blast. Along the way, I met Detour, a fellow NOBO, as well as the remarkable Crutches, whose name gives you a clue! 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 jo

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Episode #580 - Days 157-160 Appalachian Trail 2026

580

Sept. 21, 2026

Episode #580 - Days 157-160 Appalachian Trail 2026

We've reached Shaw's in Monson, AND done the first 30 miles of the 100 Mile Wilderness. Maine continues to impress us, with stiff climbs and stunning views. It has become my favorite state on the Appalachian Trail. Oh yes, and I managed to go more than two miles the wrong way the other day. Oops! 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 c

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Episode #579 - Days 154-156 Appalachian Trail 2026

579

Sept. 17, 2026

Episode #579 - Days 154-156 Appalachian Trail 2026

The three days from Sunday saw a nearo, a zero, and a near 15-miler. All part of the magic of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. But I'm currently in Monson and ready to take on the 100 Mile Wilderness. Along the way, I spoke with Andrew, or Detour, a fellow Brit on the verge of completing his own AT journey. Unfortunately , I forgot to take his photo! I was also lucky enough to run into my friend from the 2014 hike, Molli McCarthy, along with her husband, Mike. I'm using Polarsteps to record my

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Episode #578 - Days 150-153 Appalachian Trail 2026

578

Sept. 14, 2026

Episode #578 - Days 150-153 Appalachian Trail 2026

We lost one of our tramily this week, as Nuke pushed forward to achieve his summit several days before us in order to honor a friend back home. With much of the difficulty of Maine behind us—and Katahdin our only big climb ahead of us—we now have our plan settled for a September 29 finish, completing a circle, as that is the date I summited 12 years ago. Along the way, I spoke with Brandon, a late SOBO thru-hiker, Lacie, or Tent Stakes, another NOBO, as well as Do Good, also a NOBO. I'm using

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Episode #577 - Days 147-149 Appalachian Trail 2026

577

Sept. 10, 2026

Episode #577 - Days 147-149 Appalachian Trail 2026

After our Slackpack Palooza into Rangely, we resumed our full packs for the three day hike to Stratton. It had been wonderful to have been so cosseted by our friends, Sherpa and Rita, but it was time to get back in the woods and camp at tentsites. Along the way, I ran into Mel, leading a project to maintain integrity of the trail, and Chris, the new owner, along with his mother, of the Maine Roadhouse. I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow my progres

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Episode #576 - Days 143-146 Appalachian Trail 2026

576

Sept. 7, 2026

Episode #576 - Days 143-146 Appalachian Trail 2026

A four day slackpack Palooza!! Staying with friends for four nights and having them slackpacking you is a treat, and that is exactly what we've been doing for the last four days. We've enjoyed the reduced load and put in about 50 miles; it's great to be making progress. Unfortunately, we've been in our own bubble because of this and I haven't found people to interview. We'll be with our full packs this coming week and I hope to bump into some fellow thru-hikers once more. I'm using Polarsteps

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About the Host

Steve Adams (Mighty Blue)

Author / Podcaster / Speaker

I'm Steve Adams, or Mighty Blue, and I'm the MOST unlikely hiker you could imagine. I spent more than 40 years in the insurance business, in London, Bermuda, New York, and Florida. I sold my insurance business in 2013 to prepare an Appalachian Trail thru-hike, something I'd had at the #1 spot on my Bucket List for years. To my great surprise–and the shock of many of my friends–I did it, summitting Katahdin just over six months after I'd set out.
Eventually, after plenty of stopping and starting, I managed to complete my AT book(s) and started this podcast. More than five years in, we've published nearly 300 episodes of the podcast.
In 2018, my niece and I completed the Camino de Santiago in Spain, then in 2019 I went on my second successful AT thru-hike.