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 #591 - Days 196-198 Appalachian Trail 2026
I don't believe I give in to hyperbole that often, but these last three days have been the most dramatic of my entire thru-hike. Two separate visits to the Emergency Room
Oct 29 27 min
Episode #590 - Days 192-195 Appalachian Trail 2026
Nate and Amanda have gone home and I'm now hiking with Nuke again, as well as Lizard King. It is great to be in a small tramily as the hike draws to a close.
Along the
Oct 26 43 min
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 impo
Oct 22 29 min
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.
Oct 20 33 min
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
Oct 15 20 min
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 th
Oct 12 30 min
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 o
Oct 8 31 min
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
Oct 7 41 min
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
Oct 1 33 min
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 i
Sep 29 34 min
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
Chart trend
Position in the Wilderness chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#76#151AugSepOctNov
#32
all-time peak
145
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, Nov 6, 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
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
More podcasts like Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Popular shows in Wilderness, for your next listen.
About Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis on Reason.fm
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.
