Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast

Welcome to Episode 180 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight Tad and I take a deep dive into the new DEC management plan for the trailless peaks—yeah, we go there…and it's good! We also chat about recent rescues and previous hikes. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're her...

Welcome to Episode 179 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and I are joined by the one and only Diana—better known as @naturaddictlady! We dive into her passion for photography, her love for the trails, and her epic adventures with her trail buddy, Roxy the pup. But that’s not all—we’re also breaking down the 2024 Catskill 3500 Club canister stats and comparing them to...

Welcome to Episode 178 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and Tad and I chat with Appalachian Trail ridge runner Dillon Utter! Dillon tells us what it’s like being a ridge runner on the AT. We also chat about the Woodland Valley UMP, recent rescues and an unfortunate death at Kaaterskill Falls. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate i...

Welcome to Episode 176 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This episode is our live recording from the Mountain Top Historical Society! We chat MTHS Board Members Cyndi LaPierre, Dede Terns Thorpe, and Bob Gildersleeve (Chief Archivist), The Catskill Geologist Robert Titus, and Paul LaPierre from the Empire State Railway Museum to discuss the history of the railroad system of the C...

Welcome to Episode 177 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! The live episode will be air next week! Tonight, Tad and his daughter, Sophronia, chat with me about their experience out west where they spent 5 days exploring Death Valley. We also chat about new information from the Katahdin deaths, John Kelly pushing for the FKT on the AT and additional protection for rock sculptures on...

Welcome to Episode 175 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, we sit down with Maraleen Manos-Jones, the 'Butterfly Woman,' to talk about all things Monarchs—migration, conservation, and why these iconic pollinators matter now more than ever. We also dive into the recovery on Mount Katahdin, the Catskill 3500 Club dinner, and talk about the unsettling PCT murders in Washing...

Welcome to Episode 174 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, we're joined by Tom Gravel, Senior Project Land Manager at the Open Space Institute, for an in-depth conversation about OSI’s recent massive 3,100-acre acquisition on Blue Hill in the southern Catskills. We dig into what this means for conservation, recreation, and the future of public access in the region. We al...

Welcome to episode 173! With Tad off chasing tumbleweeds out west, I’m holding down the fort with historian and author A.J. Schenkman, who joins me to talk about his book Wicked Ulster County. We’re diving into the wild side of local history—think gangs, thieves, shady characters, and scandalous tales that once rocked the Hudson Valley. Oh, and there’s good news for the Catskills: we break down wh...

Welcome to episode 172! Tonight, Tad and I take a trip back in time with filmmaker, comedian, and pop culture historian Ron MacCloskey as he shares vivid and hilarious memories from the golden days of the Borscht Belt. From iconic entertainers to behind-the-scenes stories, Ron brings the Catskills' heyday to life—and proves he’s still very much in step with today’s world. We also cover recent Cats...

Welcome to episode 171! Tonight, Tad and I crack open a conversation with Kyle Sherrer, the founder of North Hudson Ciders. We dive into Kyle’s journey building a cider brand that’s not just about great taste—but also about giving back. From trail stewardship to community support, Kyle shares how Hudson North Ciders is raising the bar with volunteer work and donations that help keep our favorite o...

Welcome to episode 170! When you have a cancellation, you crack a hard cider, hit record, and roll with it. This week, Tad and I shoot the sh*t about some wild recent happenings — a tough recovery on West Kill, drama brewing with the Catskill Mountain Railroad, some jackass defacing Horseshoe Bend, and a wildfire lighting up the Jersey Pine Barrens. No script, no filter, just a solid trailhead-sty...

Welcome to episode 169! This week, Tad and I chat with Andy Mossey, the guy making sure nature stays open for business. As head of the Woodstock Land Conservancy, Andy’s all about saving forests, water, and scenic views—basically everything Instagram loves. Come for the conservation, stay for the good vibes. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill and grab one! Make sure to subs...

Welcome to episode 168! This week, Tad and I sit down with Tia Banks — hiker, motivational speaker, and all-around force of nature. From trail-tested wisdom to real talk about resilience, Tia shares her journey of finding strength, purpose, and community in the outdoors. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill and grab one! Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share...

Welcome to episode 167! This week, Tad and I chat with Kim Levinsky, who set the fastest known time on the Long Path in 2023—no small feat considering it’s 358 miles of New York’s finest terrain. Oh, and there’s a brand-new documentary all about her record-setting adventure. We get into the grit, the grind, and what it’s like to have your suffering professionally filmed. Need a sticker? Shoot me a...

Welcome to episode 166! This week, Tad and I are joined by Kyle Bittner, who recently became the fourth person to ski all of the Catskill 3500 peaks. Kyle shares his insights on the challenges, gear, and technical aspects of backcountry skiing in the Catskills, offering a unique perspective on this incredible achievement. We also chat about visitation stats from 2024. Need a sticker? Shoot me an e...

Welcome to episode 165! This week, Tad and I chat with Tom Illari, owner of Catskill Collectibles. We dive into his collection of Catskills memorabilia and the rich history of the legendary Catskill Mountain House. We also cover private land purchases becoming public, the 3500 Club’s new stewardship grant, and recent SAR callouts. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill! And hey...

Welcome to episode 164! This week, Tad and I dive into his epic journey completing the legendary 420 grid — yep, all the details, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. We also chat about the closure of Breakneck Ridge, a judge’s recent decision approving NPS workers, and some of our latest hiking adventures. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill and grab one! Make su...

Welcome to Episode 163! Tad and I are diving into some wild updates—plans for a brand-new resort where the old Black Mountain Lodge once stood, the jaw-dropping ticket prices at Windham Mountain Club, and, believe it or not, an entire Adirondack Wildlife Refuge up for sale! Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or swing by Camp Catskill. And hey, if you're enjoying the show, hit that subscribe button,...

Welcome to Episode 162! This time, Tad and I sit down with Joanne to explore the rich Native American heritage sites of the Hudson Valley. She shares her passion for preserving these sacred places and the important volunteer work that helps protect them. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill! And hey—subscribe, share, donate… or just keep tuning in, because that’s what really...

Welcome to episode 161! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Mike Todd who runs the webpage Hike the Hudson Valley. Mike is an expert on hiking in the Hudson Valley and we go into depth about the great hikes in and around the area. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad you're listening! And remember......

Welcome to episode 160! On this episode, Tad and I chat with John Thompson who is the director of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP). John chats with us about invasive species and what we can do to help while out on the trails. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad you're listeni...

Welcome to episode 159! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Dr Alex Gates of Rutgers University and we talk about his book, Reclaiming Our Planet. Dr. Gates' book is about climate change and what we can do to try to reverse it. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad you're listening! And remember... VOL...

Welcome to episode 158 Part 2! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Rangers Rusher and Horn from the DEC about their time battling the wildfires that we had here in the Catskills and other regions of New York State. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad you're listening! And remember... VOLUNTEER!!!!!!...

Welcome to episode 158 Part 1! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Rangers Rusher and Horn from the DEC. Rangers Rusher and Horn chat about their SAR missions that they have been involved with in 2024 which include rope rescues, helicopter hoist rescues and many other types of rescues. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever yo...

Welcome to episode 157! On this episode, Tad and I chat with 4x Catskills All Trails challenge finisher Al Purdy. Al is going to chat about his experience doing the All Trails Challenge and also about the Catskill Mountain Club. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad you're listening! And remember... VOL...