"Jester" Section Hiker

Several months ago Jester reached out to some Facebook Group pages asking for Section Hikers who were hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail to be featured on the podcast. Colleen "Teacup" Drake reached out to Jester in early 2020 and they have finally connected to record. Colleen shares with us some great stories of hiking and camping with her parents, what she does to train for Section Hikes at 71 y...

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2021! Jester had a chance to connect with Kathryn Herndon-Powell, Education and Outreach Coordinator with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.   Kathryn educates us on the 7 Leave No Trace Principles, gives us some great resources to utilize as we plan our section hikes for 2021,   and overall just be better stewards out on the trails.   Connect with Kathryn Herndon-Pow...

Jester continues to hike her way East across the State of North Carolina by completing the 40 Day Hikes from the Book, Great Day Hikes ON North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail. This episode features Hikes 15, 16, and 17. Jester also took the opportunity to go to Priddy's General Store in Danbury, NC and was able to get a quick interview with Jane Priddy! Hike #15 took place at Pilot Mountain Sta...

For this episode of the podcast, Jester introduces us to the town of Elkin, NC. Hike #14 from the book Great Day Hikes ON North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail centers around the town of Elkin, NC. Jester introduces us to Leslie Schlender, from the Town of Elkin, Bill Blackley, with the Elkin Valley Trails Association, and then shares with us her thoughts about Hike #14. You will hear Hike #14 e...

Jester talks with Josh "PBS" Smith, creator of The MST Guide on this episode of the Podcast. Josh takes us on his journey from being in the Air Force to the creation of The MST Guide App. In February 2018 Josh thought he would be spending several months hiking the Appalachian Trail, but after hiking 1000 miles and reaching Harper's Ferry, WV his plans shifted to a new dream and a different trail....

Welcome to the "One Year Anniversary" episode of the "Jester" Section Hiker Podcast! It's hard to believe a year has already gone by, but wow what a year it has been. In a "round table" style discussion, Jester with fellow Hiking Radio Network Podcast Hosts, Anna "Mud Butt" Huthmaker and Steve "Mighty Blue" Adams reflect on the year 2020. All three of us take a look at how our own hiking pursuits...

Jester continues to hike her way East across the State of North Carolina by completing the 40 Day Hikes from the Book, Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail. Jester describes Hike #11 as a very smooth terrain, Hike #12 contains excellent views of the trail moving into the Piedmont area of North Carolina, and Hike #13 is all within Stone Mountain State Park. Thanks for listenin...

In today's episode Jester shares with us her conversation with Ramdino. Ramdino has a YouTube Channel that he calls an information hub for all things Thru-Hiking when it comes to the Appalachian Trail. Ramdino is currently Section Hiking the AT and plans to Thru Hike when he retires. You will hear in this interview the passion that Ramdino has for hiking the Appalachian Trail and his love for the...

Jester continues to hike her way East across the State of North Carolina by completing the 40 Day Hikes from the Book, Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail. On this Episode of the Podcast Jester brings you Hikes 8, 9, and 10. Jester has rated Hike #8 as the best hike so far in the quest, Hike #9 a wet and slippery trek, and Hike #10 a tour through the property of Moses H. Con...

Jester continues to hike her way East across the State of North Carolina by completing the 40 Day Hikes from the Book, Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail. On this episode of the podcast Jester brings you Hikes 4, 5, 6, and 7. These hikes cover some of the best hiking Western North Carolina has to offer in the Great Balsoms, Mt. Pisgah, Rattlesnake Lodge, and The Craggies! T...

Mother-Daughter duo, Charissa and Julia Hipp, join Jester in this episode to share with you their passion and dedication to Section Hike the Appalachian Trail. Julia just recently turned 5 years old and as you will hear has her own pack, hiking pole, snacks she likes to carry, and a couple more special items that go in her pack. She also likes to play "Resupply. Charissa shares with us why she sta...

Machelle Brown chats with "Jester" from Woods Hole Hostel to share her experience, thoughts, and takeaways from the "Woods Hole Weekend." Please visit www.woodsholehostel.com to find out more information about the "Woods Hole Weekend". You will see bios about the presenters and the itinerary with the topics we talked about to help you prepare for your hike on the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for list...

Jester begins her quest to complete all 40 Day Hikes from the book Great Day Hikes ON North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. In this week's episode, we hear about Hikes 1, 2, and 3. Jester starts with Hike #1 at the Western Terminus of the MST at Clingman's Dome. Hike #2 brings a 0.7-mile hike that has a lot of awesome surprises, and Hike #3 brings few views but a sign of fall and an amazing tra...

Jester catches up with Thru-Hiker, Craig "Hawk" Mains at Weary Feet Hostel near Bland, VA. Hawk is currently hiking his 5th Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail, but this time as a Flip Flop hike. Thanks For Listening Everybody and Happy Section Hiking! Connect with Craig "Hawk" Mains: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEsauJnA_OgXuilWtEXGQKg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craig.mains.16...

Jester spends a weekend camping at the Black Mountain Campground in Western North Carolina and shares with us her hikes to Mt. Mitchell, which is the Highest Peak East of the Mississippi, and the Green Knob Fire Tower. The Death of Elisha Mitchell: https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2014/06/27/the-death-of-elisha-mitchell NC High Peaks Association and Friends of Mt. Mitchell State Park: https://nchighpeak...

Jester shares with us her current Day Hiking Gear List (2020)! Jester's Day Hike Gear List: Pack - ULA Photon (35L) Whistle - (Sternum Strap) SPOT - GEN 3 Katadyn Be Free Water Filter (1.0L) Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir (2 Liters) Marmot Precip Rain Jacket Marmot Precip Rain Pants Patagonia Houdini (Seasonal) Wool Hat / Gloves (Seasonal) Sea to Summit - Dry Bag (x2) (8L) Toiletry Kit - (TP, Baby...

Today on the Podcast Jester introduces us to Mary "Angel" Stewart. Mary is the first Section Hiker to join Jester and share her journey on the Mountains to Sea Trail. Mary is not only a section hike completer of the MST but she is also very active in the MST Community and provides Trail Angel services to hikers passing through Segments 9 & 10 of the trial. Connect with Mary "Angel" Stewart: MST Tr...

Have you ever wondered how your favorite trail organization keeps up with maintaining all their trail maps, guidebooks, and website? Jim Grode, Trail Resource Manager for the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail Organization, joins Jester on today's episode to share with us just how some of that is done. Jim also talks with us about his most recent book, Great Day Hikes On North Carolina's Mounta...

On this episode of the podcast Jester introduces us to Kate Dixon, Executive Director for the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail Organization. As you will hear Jester is excited to have Kate explain her role as the Executive Director, how the MST has progressed forward during these Pandemic Times, and some hiking challenges to celebrate the 43rd Birthday of the Mountains to Sea Trail during the...

For this episode, Jester is joined by Eric and Jessica Matos, more commonly known as Toast and Jammz. In this segment of "Entrepreneurs Inspired by the Trail" Toast and Jammz talk about their company Ever Green Adventure Foods. You will hear why they started their company, why it's important for them to have a nutritional, sustainable, leave no trace meal option, and most importantly, their belief...

Episode #35 wraps up our three-part mini-series "The Why, The Way, and The Will", with Will Dukes aka Tick Bait. In this episode, Will talks to us about some additional trails he completed along the way in addition to the Eastern Continental Trail. You will also hear about his final gear set up, how he managed his food drops, and how he is coping with his return back home. Thank you for joining Wi...

Will "Tick Bait" Dukes is back with Jester this week for Part II of "The Why, The Way, and The Will." For Part II they focus on "The Way" as Will shares his incredible memories and favorite moments on each of the trails that make up the Eastern Continental Trail. We also learn how he got his trail name and how his foot issues set him back but did not deter him from his ultimate goal of continuous...

In this episode of the podcast, you are going to be introduced to Will Dukes aka Tick Bait. Will spent 3 years Section Hiking the Eastern Continental Trail. Jester is having Will join her for the next 3 episodes as she introduces the first "Mini-Series" of the podcast. In Part I of The Why, The Way, and The Will, Jester introduces you to Will and they focus on "The Why" portion of the Journey. Tha...

What a great guest we have for you on today's show, Brew Davis! I have wanted to have Brew on the show for a while now and we were finally able to connect. Not only is Brew Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail but he is also an accomplished Musician with two albums, a published Author, and plays a major support role to his wife, Jennifer Pharr Davis. Today's Closing Song provided by Brew Davis: "A...

‪In this week's episode, Jester summarizes her 39-day Appalachian Trail summer section hike, updates us on her knee, and some other happenings since she has been off-trail, then transitions us forward to what's happening on some future episodes of the podcast. ‬ Woods Hole Weekend: Oct. 2-4, 2020 A weekend retreat of presentations and discussion for individuals considering a thru-hike or long sect...