Join Muse on this sweltering day in Maine, finding a short respite in the town of Caratunk.  This was a good day, climbing mountains, hanging out with friends and even jumping in a pond.

This is also the day Muse gets his name.  Listen in to today’s entry to hear how that came about. 

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Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680893

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After settling down at the Sterling Inn in Caratunk last episode, we cap off the week chatting with Spicy and Ribbit. Muse met them on that scorching day heading into Caratunk, and they ended up hiking together through the Bigelows and on to the Hostel of Maine. 

This is a fantastic conversation! Tune in to hear what it’s really like to hike the AT as a couple, and enjoy the fun backstory of how they met and how their shared love of adventure led them to the trail. 

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Crossing the Kennebec, Muse hikes on with the Caratunk Crew!  While new adventures await on the other side of the river, this episode takes a moment to reflect on our brief stay in Caratunk and the company Muse had there before moving forward.

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Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680954

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Listen in as Muse slows down to recover from some bigger mileage, gathering strength to take on the upcoming Bigelow Range. 

In this episode, you’ll hear about an amazing lunchtime oasis, meeting great new hiking companions, and Muse’s overall excitement for what lies ahead. 

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Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680955

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This interview takes place in the restaurant of the Iron Horse Station Inn in Hot Springs, North Carolina. It is the capstone to an amazing return to the trail, where Ratatouille and I joined Shotgun to share some of his culminating steps toward Springer as he finishes up this year.

Listen in today to hear once again from both Shotgun and Ratatouille—getting their present reactions on the past few days while diving deeper into their philosophies and experiences hiking, and, well, just living.

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What a completely mind-blowing day in Maine's Bigelow Range! It starts solo with a spiritual experience on Little Bigelow Mountain, then quickly becomes a trek across this majestic range with friends: five of us on Avery Peak, three on West Peak and two on South Horn.

Tune in to hear Muse recount this glorious day, and also dive into the very beginnings of the Appalachian Trail as Muse fills in the significance of Myron Avery, for whom Avery Peak is named.  Hear how he and Benton MacKaye got it all started!

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Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680981

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It started in the most significant downpour on trail so far (having dodged the big one that caught most), but this day ended at the plush and comfortable Hostel of Maine, where Muse would spend the weekend.

In the episode, we focus on the day getting into the Hostel of Maine, and saying farewell to Conrad and Justin (and later Spicy and Ribbit), only to meet brand new friends once there!  Join us to get to know folks who would have a great influence on the rest of the hike.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680982

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Another awesome interview episode!  As we head into the Hostel of Maine to rest and recover from the Bigelows before heading into the Saddlebacks, let’s take a moment on the show to check in with Pastor Frank and Frogger.  Muse would meet Pastor Frank here at the Hostel of Maine, and first met Frogger back in Monson. 

Listen in today as these two talk about their early, separate journeys, the formation of their dynamic trail family, how they came to finish on Springer as a couple, and what’s been going on since their summit. 

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A zero day at the Hostel of Maine provided a much-needed reset.

This episode also features a unique trail experience - a wonderful outdoor worship service with the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain as the backdrop.  Tune in to hear all about this amazing day in Carrabassett Valley and the connections made there.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680983

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Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Back on trail, this episode’s entry takes us up and over the Crockers, gradually up and then steeply down into the Crocker Cirque Campsite.

In the commentary, we’re going to take a step backwards just a couple of days, focusing a little more on the planning steps that supported the upcoming family visit in Rangeley.  Reflecting back to some basic hostel routines - like how electronics get recharged - leads us into some detail on one of the most basic logistic elements - how the pack is packed.  And also…how much all of this is costing.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681161

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Fresh off our zero day in Carrabassett Valley and descending the Crockers, we cap off the week with a special interview episode featuring Bounce the Hiker!

Muse first met Bounce at the Hostel of Maine before hiking together through the Bigelows and staying in touch all the way down to Springer Mountain. Tune in today as Bounce shares what it was like completing the AT both Northbound (2020) and Southbound (2025), the story behind his book Walk Up Hill, his three core trail rules, and what life has looked like returning to the business world while maintaining authentic leadership since his second finish.

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A short 6.2-mile day from Crocker Cirque Campsite to Spaulding Mountain Lean-To proved that low-mileage days on the trail can still pack in plenty of experience and great company.

In this episode, we step into a day filled with new trail connections—from navigating tough mountain blowdowns and learning plant knowledge from Dragonfly, to passing the 200-mile mark. Tune in for a look at how a quiet shelter can suddenly turn into a bustling hub of NOBOs, campers, and get the AT shelter origin story for the podcast!

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681162

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Tackling the Saddleback Range over two action-packed days, this leg of the journey puts us just two trail miles from our next stop in the town of Rangeley - and the first visit from home!

In this episode, we experience some weather above treeline, leading into some quick tactical thinking under sudden storm clouds across bald peaks. Tune in to hear about dodging rain in copses of trees, and timing the weather just right to reach the shelter moments before the bottom drops out.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681163

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Taking a full zero day right on the trail at Piazza Rock Lean-To, this leg of the journey trades heavy hiking miles for a restful pause, unexpected side adventures, and reflections on the road so far, both on trail and in this podcast.

In this episode, we take on a number of topics, including sounds that can be heard on trail, an origin story of the planning spreadsheet, and every hiker’s favorite topic…poop.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681165

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Stepping off the trail for a much-anticipated family visit, this 1.8-mile nearo day brings unexpected luck, a full town resupply, and a restful setup at the Saddleback Inn.

In this episode, we talk through preparation for the next stretch of trail - retrieving mail drops, Lyme disease prevention with permethrin, catching up on backlogged journal entries, and just basically getting everything squared away so the town chores are done while Kerry and Evan are in town.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681166

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

A zero day in Rangeley with family brings a mix of rest, local exploring and a successful evening mission to spot local wildlife.

This episode features a great family visit!  From visiting the Rangeley Adventure Company and taking in the views at Smalls Falls to bowling at Moose Alley and dodging a sudden hailstorm over dinner.  We use the map from the AWOL guidebook to step through the day in detail, and in our trail glossary section, we look at the structure behind the trail with an overview of the roles ALDHA, the ATC, and the local trail clubs play in preserving this amazing experience.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681246

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Getting back on trail after a cherished family weekend in Rangeley comes with its own emotional weight, but a smooth 9.4-mile stretch to Sabbathday Pond Lean-to helps ease the transition.

In this episode, we talk about the impact of leaving family behind after a town visit, and also we meet Legend! She would go on to become the oldest woman to complete the Appalachian Trail, at 80 years old in 2025.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681247

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

This installment is a two-day affair, as we journey across Bemis Mountain, Old Blue, and Moody Mountain—navigating wet rock slabs, meeting the inspirational "Six Pack" thru-hiking family, and camping with a lively mix of NOBOs and SOBOs. After chronicling these two days, we trace the roots of the Appalachian Trail back to 1921, exploring Benton MacKaye's original vision for regional planning, human wellness, and a wilderness sanctuary.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681248

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Episode 50!  And as we settle into an all-SoBo shelter with Slurpee, Cash, Ben and Abe, we make the narrative shift from Chapter Two to Chapter Three, defining that shift here in this installment.

Join me today as we continue forging ahead through some of the most difficult terrain the trail has to offer.

Connect with the Journey

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/681382

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Today we bring you a rare on-trail interview episode featuring Goldilocks! 

Tune in as Goldilocks shares stories from tackling the White Mountains and working her way through the epic Northeast 115, reflects back on decades of trail wisdom and the inspirational people that have led her to a life of adventure, and offers her perspective on trail community, smart hiking, and mentorship. 

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Follow Goldilocks as she continues the NE 115:  @melissa_belavance_ on Instagram

Follow Muse: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: museatpodcast@gmail.com

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Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

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