Episode #53 - Julie Gayheart (Jester)

Ever since she was a small girl growing up in Ohio, Julie has been intrigued by the Appalachian Trail. She and her Dad would have many conversations and dreams about hiking the AT and without her knowing it, the AT climbed into her heart.

Julie ended up in Charlotte, NC, and realized that, as an educator with summers off, she could begin work on pursuing her AT dream. So, in 2006, Jester loaded up her pack, put on her boots, and set off on a 2,189-mile journey. For the next 12 summers, she would venture out to the trail and hike; sometimes for a week, other times for multiple weeks and hundreds of miles. She soon turned into a “serial section hiker.”

Along the way she also learned that just about every hiker has an amazing story and now Julie has her own podcast where she shares section hikers stories with other dreamers out there.

Jester is currently in the process of completing her second section hike of the Appalachian Trail with about 700 miles left to go. She has also hiked the Art Loeb Trail, the Foothills Trail, The Narrows in Utah, Yosemite’s Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest, and most recently completed Mt. Rainier Wonderland Trail.

Links: Jesters Podcast- https://hikingradionetwork.com/jester-section-hiker/

Hiking Radio Network- https://hikingradionetwork.com/

Hiking Radio Network on Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/hikingradionetwork/

Jester on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jesterhikes

Jester on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/jesterhikes/

Wonderland Trail- https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/the-wonderland-trail.htm

Big Red's Trail Journal- https://www.trailjournals.com/journal/about/598

Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com

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