National Parks Traveler Episode 99: A Perspective On The Appalachian National Scenic Trail

By Kurt Repanshek - January 3rd, 2021

2021 marks 100 years since forester and planner Benton MacKaye penned an article that conceived a trail connecting farmlands, mountain ranges, camps, and towns along the Appalachian Mountain Range. Sixteen years later, the Appalachian Trail was completed, traversing through 14 eastern states for more than 2,100 miles. Each year an estimated three million people take to the trail.

Some folks attempt to hike the whole thing from end to end. Some tackle chunks of it at a time in no particular order. And many are content to spend a day or two wandering through stunning mountain ridgelines and secluded white pine and hemlock forests.

In honor of this anniversary, Lynn Riddick met up with one A.T. enthusiast who has experienced the colossal physical and mental challenges of tackling the entire trail…and its immense rewards.

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode introduction with Kurt Repanshek
1:43 Black Woods - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
2:05 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation promotion
2:29 Wild Tribute promotion
2:58 WNPA promotion
3:28 Appalachian Trail with Lynn Riddick
31:22 Amaranth - Bill Mize - The Sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains
31:33 National Parks Traveler promotion
31:49 Grand Teton National Park Foundation promotion
32:21 Friends of Acadia promotion
32:47 North Cascades Institute promotion
33:05 Washington’s National Park Fund promotion
33:43 Appalachian Trail with Lynn Riddick Continues
57:50 Shenandoah - Randy Petersen - The Sounds of Shenandoah
58:19 Episode Closing
58:46 Orange Tree Productions promotion
59:20 Splitbeard Productions
59:31 National Parks Traveler footer

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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Submitted by Sharon Carter on January 4, 2021 - 9:59am.

Excellent interview. Brian is my cousin and to hear this story was a gift. I share his passion for hiking, and know this is no small achievement! Most AT hikers give up their through goal.

Submitted by Lynn Riddick on January 5, 2021 - 6:17pm.

Thanks for listening, Sharon. And thank you for your wonderful comments.

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