Muse's AT Podcast

Back to 2025 as we continue on the stretch between Monson and Caratunk. In this episode, we meet a lot of the people we’ve recently introduced, and after getting chased off a mountaintop by a swarm of insects, spend a chill day with a long mid-day break. Also in this episode, Muse processes the shift of his hiking partner Wayfinder charting a different course—a candid, vulnerable look at what happ...

Today we get a rare on-trail episode as Muse joins Ratatouille and Shotgun back on the AT!  Shotgun is finishing up this year, and Muse got the old gang together to keep him company as he nears the end, marking a reunion of the original pre-SloBo trail family! Tune in to hear about what it is like to return to the trail, and to hit the trail in a different season as Muse takes a trip down memory l...

Time to hit the trail again!  Monson was a wonderful place to rest and recover after the Hundred Mile Wilderness, and as you’ve already heard, a lot went on while we were there! In this episode, we now leave Shaw’s and head south - next destination:  the town of Caratunk.  Tune in today to meet the folks who walk with Muse on this next leg of the journey. Connect with the Journey Read the original...

Time to say farewell to Wayfinder, as Muse spends his final day in Monson.  That day is action-packed, with the ride to the airport, a Summer Solstice party and a whole new cast of characters for the next segment of this narrative.  Listen in to hear all about how it went.  Connect with the Journey Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680867 See the phot...

Today we sit down with Daddy Long Legs, who Wayfinder and Muse met at the first shelter in the Hundred Mile Wilderness!  They would later cross paths with her in Monson, and then Muse would reunite with her at Devil’s Backbone in Virginia, and again this year at Trail Days. Listen in to get the inside scoop on why Daddy Long Legs hikes, her hiking origins on the Pacific Crest Trail and, of course,...

In this episode’s trail journal entry, Muse reads the original announcement of Wayfinder’s departure from the trail. Listen as father and daughter hike their final three miles together on this adventure—leaving Shaw’s Hiker Hostel via shuttle back to where they exited the Hundred Mile Wilderness to walk back in from the other end of Monson.  Having touched on Wayfinder’s transition off-trail in ea...

And we’re back! Continuing to enjoy our rest at Shaw’s, in this episode we dive into what town chores look like and what in particular it meant here in Monson to get ready to head back out to the trail.  This is the second of two planned zero days in Monson for Muse and Wayfinder. Connect with the Journey Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680787 See t...

In today's episode, I sit down with my very first hiking partner—my daughter Haley, trail name "Wayfinder." Haley was right by my side from day one, navigating everything from the climb up Mount Katahdin through the grueling logs and bogs of the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Tune in to hear a high-level recap of June 2025 entirely from her perspective, tracking the highs, the hurdles, and w...

Days don’t get much better than this one! Mount Katahdin is a truly spectacular place, and the perfect spot to start an epic adventure. No journeys to different places or times in this episode - we are fully on Katahdin, on June 5th. At the beginning. Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680459 See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram...

Listen in and follow me around the Trail Days festival this past weekend! It was truly amazing to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones and relive the trail life for a few days. In this episode, we take a break from the 2025 narrative to explore my first Trail Days after the thru-hike. See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/musehikes Questions, feedback or just...

Our first interview episode! Recorded in February 2026 during Ratatouille’s post-trail cross-country road trip, we sit down at my kitchen table to reflect on the grueling early days of our respective 2025 adventures. Join us as we dive into the highlights (and hurdles) of hiking through Maine and the beginning of New Hampshire.  Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/e...

What does life look like after a 2,000-mile journey? In today’s episode, we look past the finish line while navigating the final weeks of preparation. We dive into April and May journal entries, marking the last major milestones before the mountains: Joe’s final day of work and Haley’s college graduation. The approach to the trail is officially here! Follow the written journal here:  https://trail...

Today’s episode is our first replay episode in this four-week retooling stretch. This week on the podcast, we are revisiting the foundations of the journey, re-airing Episodes 1, 3, and 6 to cover the first two weeks of the trek and lead back into that first riverside interview with Ratatouille. In this debut episode, we make some introductions—I introduce myself, what I’m trying to do with this p...

In this episode, we enjoy a restful and well-deserved zero day in Monson. Tune in to find out what our very first zero day in town was like, and hear a little bit more about the town beyond the property lines of the hostel! Important Note: This is our final new episode before a planned 4-week mid-summer break. Don't worry, the hike isn't over, and your feed won't be empty! Over the nex...

Today we leave the Hundred Mile Wilderness and begin our stay at Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson, Maine! In this episode, Muse paints a picture of what it’s like to rest your feet at Shaw’s, from the layout of the buildings on property to the various services, vibe, and culture that make this hostel a legendary stop on the Appalachian Trail.  Tune in to learn more.  Connect with the Journey Read the...

As we left our heroes (Muse and Wayfinder 🙂) on the verge of entering the awesome trail town of Monson, Maine, let’s break from the story again for another great interview! On the show today are none other than the owners of the legendary Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson - Hippie Chick and Poet !  We get to hear their wisdom on hiking, uncover the backstory of their AT journey, and take a backstage...

Our last full episode in the Hundred Mile Wilderness!  And rumors of trail magic propel us forward. To date, we haven’t really talked much about specific hardships we endured in the Hundred.  Sure, we’ve mentioned the endless rocks and roots, but what were we really dealing with out there?  As we prepare to leave this legendary stretch of woods behind, let’s take a deeper look at what was difficul...

In the second half of the Hundred Mile Wilderness, Muse and Wayfinder find themselves separated from the group that had formed in the first half.  We meet some new people, including our first NoBos on trail, but also spend a lot more time simply as a duo. In the commentary of this episode, Muse also goes into some detail on how to keep your food (and yourself) safe from bears. Connect with the Jou...

In this episode, we catch back up with Trash Panda and Loins of Arabia, as the crew receives their food drop! Join Muse reflecting for a look into this fun interlude with Wayfinder, Metronome, Michaela, Chaps, Sunshine, Caveman and Dunk. And check out SillyPutty’s band SlopTart life from West Philly! https://youtu.be/MOeTfVEhxTA?si=I_tdbQ1UKozDGPkW Connect with the Journey Read the original writte...

Monson, Maine is a place where many AT stories intersect. In this episode, we sit down with MargotPolo, the very first SloBo to cross paths with Wayfinder and Muse. We ground our conversation right there in Monson before tracking MargotPolo’s incredible journey up to that point and forward from there—eventually meeting Ratatouille and Utogg and  officially joining the SloBos, where we later will p...

Not every day on the trail is an epic battle against the elements. Today was just a genuinely good, light-hearted day in the woods. On the eve of a scheduled food drop, a handful of southbounders cross paths. This episode is all about the simple joy of trading stories and enjoying the beautiful, quiet spaces of the Hundred Mile Wilderness. In the commentary, hear Muse go into what trail food was l...

The Hundred Mile Wilderness throws its first real mood shift at us as we trek through chilly temperatures and a persistent light rain. But a soggy day on the trail gets a major bright spot: the podcast got mail! In this episode, Muse reads and responds to the very first listener messages to land in the inbox. Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680622 See the...

We’re climbing mountains, taking in the incredible views, and sorting out our backcountry logistics! In this episode, we dive deeper into what daily life is really like inside the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Plus, we're talking about the physical reality of the trail—specifically, how my knees are holding up after a few days of pounding the dirt. Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjou...

Our first full day in the legendary Hundred Mile Wilderness! As we find our rhythm on the trail, we’re meeting new friends and adjusting to life off the grid. In this episode, we dive into the topic of technology in this isolated stretch: how were we using our phones and what were we using them for?  Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680515 See the photos fr...

The journey continues! Out of Baxter State Park and into the 100 Mile Wilderness! This is a great day, fording streams, meeting new people, and there’s ice cream! Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680461 See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/musehikes Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi!  museatpodcast@gmail.com Pleas...