An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trail magic and injury.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
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 fora
Sep 26 34 min
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
Sep 21 28 min
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 tak
Sep 17 27 min
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 difficult
Sep 14 46 min
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, She
Sep 10 36 min
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 fo
Sep 7 26 min
Episode #575 - Days 139-142 Appalachian Trail 2026
We're into Maine now and if we thought we'd left our difficult days in the past, we were sorely mistaken. My ass has continued to be kicked and The Mahoosuc Notch reveale
Sep 3 41 min
Episode #574 - Days 136-138 Appalachian Trail 2026
The miles have been cut back drastically, yet we are on the verge of leaving New Hampshire behind and entering Maine. It has been both glorious and difficult, a challenge
Aug 31 38 min
Episode #573 - Days 133-135 Appalachian Trail 2026
New Hampshire has taken its toll on our weekly mileage, but the beauty and difficulty of the trail up here is staggering in both regards. My memory is also getting a bit
Aug 27 23 min
Episode #572 - Days 129-132 Appalachian Trail 2026
New Hampshire has been doing New Hampshire things, like kicking my butt, giving me spectacular daily views, and providing Nuke and me with some of the best hiking of this
Aug 24 34 min
Episode #571 - Days 126-128 Appalachian Trail 2026
We're not only pushing through New Hampshire, but we've reached the spot where the rubber meets the road; namely, Mt Moosilauke, the first of the 4000-footers that we cli
Aug 20 29 min
Episode #570 - Days 122-125 Appalachian Trail 2026
We're at last in New Hampshire, and the drama is ramping up, with longer, higher, and more intense climbs. From previous experience, I know that I've only done the easies
Aug 17 41 min
Episode #569 - Days 119-121 Appalachian Trail 2026
A very short episode today, with just three days to report and no interviews. Such are the problems of reporting from a trail with limited WiFi opportunities!!
I'm usin
Aug 13 18 min
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 befor
Aug 10 48 min
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
Aug 6 39 min
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 ha
Aug 3 47 min
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 an
Jul 30 34 min
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 a
Jul 27 38 min
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
Jul 23 27 min
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
Jul 20 47 min
Chart trend
Position in the Wilderness chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#43#84JunJulAugSep
#32
all-time peak
133
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 26, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
It is refreshing to hear a podcast where folks are just regular people, and not portrayed as super hikers. I am one of the older 60 plus crowd and have had thoughts of hiking the AT for decades now. You do a good job of discussing the issues with leaving family and what it takes to do that. That is my perceived barrier right now. Keep up the good work!
Humberdq · Mar 2018
Mighty Blue has the mix of good humor, knowledge, and passion that makes for a fun, informatinve and inspiring podcast. Lots of guests, good interviews and side features to mxx things up. It's geared toward the AT but anyone who enjoys, or is thinking about, hiking, will get something from it.
On a side Note, Steve is also great off the show. I emailed Mighty Blue with questions and he graciously carpet-bombed me with helpful info I then asked him a detailed question about whether I should go with Pack A or Pack B. He took the time to send me a thoughtful reply about why I should go with Pack B, so naturally I went with Pack A. I picture me on the trail someday, with 3 extra pounds of pack weight, screaming at the sky "Why- Oh Why, didn't I listen to that English guy??!
Confused Alien · Feb 2018
What a discovery!! One of my fellow section hiking buddies turned me on to this podcast….he had been keeping up with Kyle Rohrig and wanted me to listen to that specific episode. I listened to that one and was immediately hooked….and have since listened to every podcast since that one, as well as gradually catching up on the earlier episodes.
Steve does a fantastic job as a host….he has a certain honesty that I believe comes from his AT thru hike, as well as great insights, sense of humor, and professionalism with his guests. All of the segments are enjoyable in their own unique way….from listening to his reading of his own books, as well as Early Shaffer’s, to the wonderful advice from Dr. Lynn.
I listen to a variety of podcasts and this is by far the one I most look forward to listening to each week. Keep up the great work Steve!!
Yukonn Caboose · Feb 2018
I found this podcast while planning my section hike 2 months ago. I have since listened to every episode up to current. Steve has now become the voice in my head when I think about hiking. I think I have post podcast archive depression now that I have to wait for each episode every week. But I'll gladly wait for such a great podcast. Thank you for putting in all the time it takes to make such a great podcast, I look forward to many more episodes. I have also subscribed to the RTK podcast as well.
mediocreshow.com · Feb 2018
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
