Muse's AT Podcast

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...

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...

This day, our heroes take it easy after the epic climb yesterday. Hear a little more about what Baxter State Park is like, as we settle into our early trail routines. Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680460 See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/musehikes Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi!  museatpodcast@gmail.com P...

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...

Waking up in doubt and worry due to recent events, we end the day in Baxter State Park ready to go!   Recorded live by the river during an incredible weekend at Trail Days in Damascus, this episode loops all the way back not only on the beginning, but also on where my hike ended up, on Springer Mountain in December - another story from doubt to triumph. Follow the written journal here:  https://tr...

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...

On this day, things get real.  In this episode you will hear about a tragedy on Mt. Katahdin and how that impacted the beginning of my adventure.  This was a difficult one to recall and a difficult one to record.  Out of respect for those affected, you will notice a shift in the production: the tone is more somber, and I have chosen to omit music and advertisements for this episode. It was a signi...

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...