Hike

Scott Little of Green Cove Collective comes on the show to discuss the Virginia Creeper Trail as it exists post-Helene and what the impact the hurricane had on the trail and it's close knit community of shops, restaurants and outdoor enthusiasts. In this episode we chat about how Scott started his online shop and then the brick and mortar store in Green Cove during Covid as a way to both support and be an essential part of the biking and outdoors community that has been created around the Creeper Trail. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 35-mile (56 km) multi-purpose rail trail. Located in southwestern Virginia, the trail runs from Abingdon to Whitetop, near Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the North Carolina border. The trail accomodates hikers, cyclists and equestrians on its descent from Abingdon to Damascus. 18 miles of the 34-mile mile Creeper Trail, from Damascus to Whitetop, have been devastated. To date, 18 trestles have been lost – destroyed or washed away. In extended sections, the trail itself no longer exists… reclaimed by the rushing, flooded creeks. Trailheads, access points, amenities and signage have been destroyed as well (Credit: Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy). To connect with Scott/Green Cove Collective and learn more: Instagram: @virginiacreepertrail, @greencovecollective Web: greencovecollective.com Music clip credit: "Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Maria Wishart aka Wheezy-Pee chats with Lori about hiking with your dog and as a hiker how to interact with dogs on trail. Some of the things we chat about: Companies mentioned: Down Dog Bags Alpha Pak Red Paw Packs Sea to Summit Connect with Maria: Instagram: @hike_woof_wiggle_repeat Facebook: Maria Wishart Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

In this premiere episode of the Explore Virginia Podcast, host Lori Prima brings on guest Bill Henry of the Blue Ridge Heritage Project. The project's vision is: In this informative episode you will learn more about the history of the project, the families who were removed from the land that is now Shenandoah National Park and how the chimney memorials came to be placed in eight counties where families called the mountains home. You can learn more by visiting: https://www.blueridgeheritageproject.com/ List of recommended books and other resources can be found here Reach out to the podcast: Loriprima@explorevirginiapodcast.com Subscribe to the podcast at: https://explorevirginia.buzzsprout.com/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Jen and Jess went on a Spring section hike on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park with their friend Ziplock. In this episode we cover each day in the park. We discuss hiking amongst the wildflowers, camping at the huts/shelters/campgrounds and resupply advice. We cover shuttles, meeting thru hikers on trail and some of their favorite views and moments together. The waysides are a big part of the AT experience in Shenandoah. Jess highly recommends the Shenandoah turkey gobbler sandwich at the Big Meadows wayside and I can't help but recommend getting one of the famous blackberry shakes. If you find yourself hiking in Shenandoah National Park, give me a shout and I'll treat you to one. Follow Jen: @Jennythetrailhead & @trashcantableclub (Disney/Universal) Follow Jess: @pagecats Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Tomcat shares three shorter thru-hikes that you can do in about 2 or 3 weeks. We chat about the Ouachita, Benton MacKaye and Allegheny Trails. He goes over trail logistics, camp sites and set up, gear, resupply options, water carries, trail angels and trail magic and favorite parts of each thru-hike. Listeners can find out more about these trails and more by visiting Tomcat's blog and Facebook page You can also check out our episode on The Colorado Trail here and our interview about completing the Northeast 115 here. Trail Info/Trail Associations: Ouachita Trail Benton MacKaye Trail Allegheny Trail Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Pippa chats with Hike about her first big backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail and how that experience started her on the path that led her to hike in the North Carolina mountains. Pippa is also a singer-songwriter who gets a lot of inspiration from hiking in the outdoors. We specifically touch on the Roan Highlands and the AT from Carver Gap to Route 19e, Black Mountain Crest Trail / Mt. Mitchell and her upcoming Art Loeb thru-hike. It's important to note that the Black Mountain Crest Trail has some closures due to being impacted by Hurricane Helene last year. Make sure to check out the most recent information by visiting the state park and forest service info and you can also learn more about North Carolina peaks via the High Peaks Trail Association: https://nchighpeaks.org/ You can find out more about her upcoming shows and follow her hikes by checking out the links below: Connect with Pippa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pippahoover Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pippahoovermusic/ My Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z7Qs2TAekHLIZ3D02XT35?si=8aa8xZScRqyOtObiZqHZBQ My band's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1opTfiIaSKLhG2v6BM5kUq?si=w0kyyqD7QTKvirN0BNhCiQ My band's 10-year anniversary show: https://catscradle.com/event/honey-magpie-2/cats-cradle-back-room/carrboro-north-carolina/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Explore Virginia is a new podcast coming Summer 2025 brought to you by the creator of Hike. Virginia has 43 state parks with more than 700 miles of trails, 24 wilderness areas, 22 national park sites and over 100,000 miles of streams and rivers. Whether you hike, bike, camp, paddle or are looking for a day trip itinerary, this podcast will highlight the best of what Virginia has to offer the outdoor adventure seeker. Subscribe here Follow on Instagram or Facebook Music clip credit: "Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Emma of the Hudson Bay Girls chats with Lori about their Boundary Waters expedition. Abby, Olivia, Emma, and Helena will be paddling the Boundary Waters from Grand Portage on Lake Superior to York Factory on Hudson Bay over the summer. They hope to call attention to women and girls in paddling and also the protection of the Boundary Waters. In this episode Emma describes how the trip came about, the planning that went into it, and how friends, family and the outdoor community are supporting their journey. Go follow their journey: Hudson Bay Girls website Find out how to Save the Boundary Waters Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Chris Powers hiked from the Northern Terminus to the Natural Bridge area as part of attempting a longer thru hike of the Sheltowee Trace Trail. We talk about what led to him deciding to leave the trail and lessons he learned along the way. We get into planning and logistics (gear, camping, food and water), the hard reality of road walking and its impact on his hike, and the joy found in photography along the trail. We also discuss some of the ways being a climber can help with both planning and executing a hike. Connect with Chris: Instagram Photography Find Hike at the Virginia Black Bear Festival on June 7th; come say hi and pick up free stickers and I'll have a few new and exclusive Hike items for purchase. Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Philip Werner comes on the show to discuss his new book, "Hiking over 60: A modern guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults". Philip's website SectionHiker.com has been sharing gear and trail advice for almost two decades. It's a great resource whether you are new to hiking or at the intermediate or expert level. This episode is a great introduction for those new to hiking and we talk about how this new book is meant for both those new to hiking and those who are reintroducing themselves to the hiking world after some time away. We cover topics - Finding Local Trail Systems - Essential Gear and Being Safe - Hiking over 60 considerations - Leave No Trace - Some of Philip's hikes in the White Mountains and beyond Buy the book (Amazon) Hike Giveaway Alert Enter the Hike Celebrates 250k Giveaway here (open through 5/9/25) 5 Random winners will be chosen to receive either a Sticker, Yeti Tumbler, Button or Hat Stay tuned for how you can purchase your own Hike merchandise or send me an email/DM to inquire Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Lori gives an update on her Shenandoah 500 progress after officially making it halfway through the challenge. She chats about: Winter hiking and favorite trails for the winter season, getting acclimated to elevation after life as a flatlander, navigating water crossings and blowdowns, memorable moments on trail Some of the trail links: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/blackrock-summit.htm https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hawksbill-summit.htm https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hawksbill-summit.htm https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/dark-hollow-falls.htm https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/lower-whiteoak-falls.htm https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/BrownMountain/images/Map.pdf https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/SHEN_BCTrip-Big_Run_Loop_and_Big_Run_Portal_B008-508.pdf PATC Store: https://potomactrailclub.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/potomactrailclub/giftstore.jsp Music Credit: https://thornandshout.bandcamp.com/album/thorn-shout Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Vegas comes on to chat about his 2023 thru hike of the Appalachian Trail and how those experiences shaped his current life as guide and started his quest for completing the triple crown in long distance hiking. We talk about trail magic, tramily life, gear, and a lot of lessons learned. We touch on other long distance hikes and thru hikes - including his Sheltowee Trace completion and international hike of the West Highland Way in Scotland. Vegas also shares his prep for tackling the PCT this year and what he's looking forward to as part of his trek. Go give Vegas a follow: Instagram YouTube Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Jessica Cocciolone is the Executive Director of the Shenandoah National Park Trust. She has helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars and establish sustainable organizations. Jessica comes on Hike to share some of the projects that the Shenandoah National Park Trust help fund for Shenandoah National Park. SNP Trust projects are wide reaching and touch on every aspect of the park operations and visitor experience. Whether it's supporting the clearing of overlooks or a scientist in residence who is performing archaeological digs, they are behind many of the programs that make an everyday difference. Find out more: www.snptrust.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SNPTrust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snptrust/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snptrust Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Strider comes back on Hike to discuss completing his 2024 thru hike on the International Appalachian Trail (IAT). He started on the Pinhoti Trail and went all the way up to the tip of Newfoundland, though his hike was not always linear. We learn more about that in this interview, including how this hike led to his completion of the C2C (Coast to Coast) trail. We chat about some of the logistics of hiking across the Northern border including: border crossings, hitching a ride, camp sites, hiking during hunting season and resupplies. Connect with Strider: stridernct@gmail.com Facebook - StriderC2C Listen to our previous episode about the North Country Trail (2020) Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Brian of Keep Virginia Cozy comes back on the podcast to share updates on what's they've been up to, including corporate & community cleanups and being able to clean up 1,000,000 pounds of trash thus far. We also talk about trail! We cover hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park, The Great Outdoors Challenge in Scotland, Trans-Catalina Trail, and the Wonderland Trail. Connect with Keep Virginia Cozy: Instagram: @keepvirginiacozy Facebook: Keep Virginia Cozy Website: Keep Virginia Cozy Check out our 2021 episode here Music clip credit: "Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Best selling Author and Long Distance Hiker, Lauralee Bliss, comes on the show to talk about her experiences in the outdoors. She is a 2x AT Thru-hiker and is currently working on her 3rd hike of the Appalachian Trail as a section hike. With over 10,000 miles of hiking, she has many experiences to share with listeners about her time in the outdoors. We also talk about the founding of the Shenandoah 500 challenge and some of her favorite parts and moments in Shenandoah National Park. Lauralee has written 2 books on hiking and is currently working on a memoir about her time as an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner. She spent 6 years working as a ridgerunner in both Maryland and Virginia, assisting hikers and helping promote leave no trace on the trail. She also is a best selling historical fiction novelist who takes inspiration from historical events and her own love of adventure and the outdoors. We chat about her most recent work of fiction which was just released on January 1st titled, "When the Avalanche Roared" which is based on the Wellington, Washington train disaster. Connect with Lauralee Bliss: https://lauraleebliss.com https://lauraleebliss.com/blissful-hiking-adventures/ Blissful hiking blog - https://blissfulhiking.blogspot.com/ New book When the Avalanche Roared - https://lauraleebliss.com/books/when-the-avalanche-roared/ Shenandoah 500 - Hike all the trails in Shenandoah National Park Find out more on the Shenandoah 500 Challenge by joining the Facebook group Shenandoah National Park Hikers https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BVfheYEZ4/ Music clip credit: "Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Cori is hiking all of the trails in Shenandoah National Park and shares her favorite trail stories as well as some useful tips for those who are looking to recreate in the park. We touch on: Cori and Lori also compare their experiences so far as they work towards finishing the Shenandoah 500 challenge. Connect with Cori: Blog: The Space Between Facebook: The Space Between Adventures Instagram: @spacebetweenadventures Check out the Shenandoah National Park's official hiking pages here Learn more about park boundary access here Listen to our Season episode here Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Artist Rosalie Haizlett shares her Tiny Worlds journey in the Appalachian Mountains. We discuss how she started drawing and painting, the healing power of nature and how she finds inspiration on the trail. Rosalie’s illustration inspired me to pick up painting again when I saw her work in West Virginia. Check out and purchase her work at https://rosaliehaizlett.com You can also follow her on social media @rosaliehaizlett Order the book Instagram Substack Music clip credit: "Whiskey on the Mississippi" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Follow Lori as she takes on the Shenandoah 500 Hiking Challenge of completing all of the trails in Shenandoah National Park. There are over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah and Lori is attempting to hike them all. She'll bring you along on hikes to historic landmarks and the remnents of settler homesteads. There will be hikes to the popular and famous trails along with the hidden gems that make one feel as if they are the only one in the park. From the 100 plus miles of the Appalachian Trail to the short connector trails, this season will be an adventure full of highs and lows as Lori tackles some of her own hiking insecurities and fears. Season 10 will also feature guests and trails both new and familiar to the show. Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Iron comes on to talk about his new book, "Hike It: An Introduction to Camping, Hiking and Backpacking in the U.S.A." Taken from book publisher details: This fully illustrated book is the perfect introduction to enjoying America's great outdoors. Explore 20 National Parks with incredible trails that take you past snow-capped mountains, along stunning coastlines, and through ancient forests, and discover the majesty of nature with glorious artwork throughout. This book is packed with practical information, too. Young adventurers 7+ will learn about: • Navigating, and what to do if you get lost • Essential hiking equipment • How to leave no trace and protect the environment • Pooping in the woods! • Staying safe in the heat, snow, and rain • Fire safety and setting up camp • Encountering wildlife and safety • Locating the North Star and understanding the night sky Author and internet sensation Iron Tazz offers a wealth of information based on years of experience hiking every kind of trail and from sharing adventures with his own little boy. Full of kid-friendly tips and tricks for enjoying nature, this is the perfect book for learning how to hike your own hike. National Parks and trails: Olympic National Park; Mount Rainier National Park; Redwood National Park; Death Valley National Park; Yosemite National Park; Acadia National Park; Wind River Range; Sawtooth National Forest; Grand Canyon National Park; Glacier National Park; Arches National Park; Yellowstone National Park; Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Crater Lake National Park; Petrified Forest National Park; Denali National Park and Preserve; Pacific Crest Trail; Appalachian Trail; North Cascades National Park; Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Connect with Iron: https://www.irontazz.com/ Buy the book (Amazon) Support the show Connect with Hike: Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer Facebook: @thehikepodcast Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com