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

Episode #589 - Days 189-191 Appalachian Trail 2026

We're closing in on the end of this somewhat circuitous hike, with less than ten days and just over 100 miles to go. Many times, this has felt a fool's errand and an impossible task, yet here I am, on the brink of a third successful thru-hike on this difficult trail. I just hope my leg holds out!
Along the way, I managed to record Nate's thoughts as he is about to head back home himself after a couple of weeks pushing me along the trail!

I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year.

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Episode #589 - Days 189-191 Appalachian Trail 2026

589

Oct. 22, 2026

Episode #589 - Days 189-191 Appalachian Trail 2026

We're closing in on the end of this somewhat circuitous hike, with less than ten days and just over 100 miles to go. Many times, this has felt a fool's errand and an impossible task, yet here I am, on the brink of a third successful thru-hike on this difficult trail. I just hope my leg holds out! Along the way, I managed to record Nate's thoughts as he is about to head back home himself after a couple of weeks pushing me along the trail! I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year.

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Episode #588 - Days 185-188 Appalachian Trail 2026

588

Oct. 19, 2026

Episode #588 - Days 185-188 Appalachian Trail 2026

With less than 200 miles to go, Nate and I were joined by my friend, Amanda Aguilard, forming our southbound tramily for three days. We got cold but loved the challenge. Along the way, I had a chat with Adam Stanley, or Stanimal, and his lovely partner, Megs. 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

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Episode #587 - Days 182-184 Appalachian Trail 2026

587

Oct. 15, 2026

Episode #587 - Days 182-184 Appalachian Trail 2026

Virginia is providing us with spectacularly beautiful views and leaf-peeping, as well as some of the wettest and hottest days of this trip. Along with that, the hiking is challenging but definitely doable. The really good news is that I'm on target to finish this hike on my 74th birthday. 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

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Episode #586 - Days 178-181 Appalachian Trail 2026

586

Oct. 12, 2026

Episode #586 - Days 178-181 Appalachian Trail 2026

These past four days have been spent hiking with Nate, and in the last couple of days, we have been blessed by our personal trail angel, Katie Westling. We're crushing the miles and I'm now just 236 miles from the end. Along the way, I met Leah, or Piph, a cousin of a former guest, Chrissy Funk. 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 #585 - Days 175-177 Appalachian Trail 2026

585

Oct. 8, 2026

Episode #585 - Days 175-177 Appalachian Trail 2026

I'm now in a tramily of two, having been joined by my buddy, Nate for a few weeks. We're in Shenandoah and loving the smooth ride the trail gives us, not to mention the occasional wayside at which to stock up on calories. Along the way, I caught up with, if only temporarily, Slomo, a fast hiker putting in 25-30 mile 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.pola

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Episode #584 - Days 171-174 Appalachian Trail 2026

584

Oct. 7, 2026

Episode #584 - Days 171-174 Appalachian Trail 2026

Sorry for the delay in getting this out to you. Suffice it to say that I've had one or two technical issues!! I'm nearly a week into the SOBO part of my Appalachian Trail hike this year and the pieces are falling into place for my desire to finish this hike on my 74th birthday at the end of October. Along the way, I chatted with hostel and B&B owners, Scott and Lisa, as well as the only Latvians I've ever met!! I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow m

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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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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.