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

Episode #568 Days 115-118 Appalachian Trail 2026

Vermont has been an unexpected pleasure. I don't recall it giving me such great hiking last time, and that, along with new and old friends, has made this last state before the"Big Two" a time of pure joy.

Along the way, I met Thais at the Wicked Waystation hostel and father and son duo, Polechar and Forrest, who completed their own thru-hike just days ago.

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 jou

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Episode #568 Days 115-118 Appalachian Trail 2026

568

Aug. 10, 2026

Episode #568 Days 115-118 Appalachian Trail 2026

Vermont has been an unexpected pleasure. I don't recall it giving me such great hiking last time, and that, along with new and old friends, has made this last state before the"Big Two" a time of pure joy. Along the way, I met Thais at the Wicked Waystation hostel and father and son duo, Polechar and Forrest, who completed their own thru-hike just days ago. 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 jou

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Episode #567 - Days 112-114 Appalachian Trail 2026

567

Aug. 6, 2026

Episode #567 - Days 112-114 Appalachian Trail 2026

We're in damp Vermont right now, with the mud and water making things a touch more tricky. The trail continues to be challenging, with the sure knowledge that it is only going to get tougher going forward. Along the way, I met a bunch of very happy SOBOs; Fruitbag, Slip, Plus One, and Flossy.their enthusiasm for the trail left quite the mark on me. 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, pl

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Episode #566 - Days 108-111 Appalachian Trail 2026

566

Aug. 3, 2026

Episode #566 - Days 108-111 Appalachian Trail 2026

With record amounts of rainfall this week in Massachusetts, Nuke and I decided to wait it out during a zero day in Lee. Once we got back on trail the following day, we had to cope with swollen stream crossings that soaked us, as well as paths that became streams. During all of this I managed to fall a couple of time, of course. Along the way, I chatted with Nat Geo, Dash, and the wonderful Renée. I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this year. If you'd like to follow my progress betw

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Episode #565 - Days 105-107 Appalachian Trail 2026

565

July 30, 2026

Episode #565 - Days 105-107 Appalachian Trail 2026

It's been another week of concern over my recent falls, but also one where I've had to manage my hike more proactively. I had a zero day in an attempt to reset and, by and large, I'm happy with how the past few days have gone. Along the way, I had a good conversation with a hiker's mother, Ann who, like all mothers, was concerned for her daughter's safety on trail. In addition, I met Cait, or Fester, who is out here in a transition time in her life, enjoying the awesome hiking community. I'm

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Episode #564 - Days 101-104 Appalachian Trail 2026

564

July 27, 2026

Episode #564 - Days 101-104 Appalachian Trail 2026

With the rocks finding new ways to hurt me, I'm falling a little too often for comfort. I'm now into Massachusetts, so I know that the rocks will only grow more vicious as I head north. I need to work out what's happening before I hurt myself really badly. Along the way, I had conversations with some fellow travelers. First, I met Brian, or B. Then, I ran into two indomitable young women, Moose and Princess, out on their own epic adventure. I'm using Polarsteps to record my AT thru-hike this

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Episode #563 - Days 98-100 Appalachian Trail 2026

563

July 23, 2026

Episode #563 - Days 98-100 Appalachian Trail 2026

I'm into Connecticut now, with the terrain a little more benign than the past few weeks. Added to this, I'm on a bit of a slackpacking run with my friend, Dr Lynne, so my progress is good. i wasn't able to snag any other thru-hikers these past few days for interviews, though Lynne and I chatted about something I'd asked about last week. 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 h

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Episode #562 - Days 94-97 Appalachian Trail 2026

562

July 20, 2026

Episode #562 - Days 94-97 Appalachian Trail 2026

Smoke from Canada and heat have conspired to test me this week, though it was the smoke that was likely more dangerous. That said, another state, New Tork, will be in the rear view mirror by this Tuesday. Along the way, I interviewed Bobo and Timberdoodle, as well as Jack, who is definitely looking for a trail name of his own. 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

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Episode #561 - Days 91-93 Appalachian Trail 2026

561

July 16, 2026

Episode #561 - Days 91-93 Appalachian Trail 2026

It's been another steamy few days that have fully exhausted me. Miles have become harder due to my tiredness, not the terrain. I'm hoping a change in the weather will revive me once more. Along the way, I chatted with Mom, Opera, and son Sedimentary, or Sed. 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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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.