31 - Jonathan MacFarland

The doors are closing on season one, but before they do, Producer Andrew Iden sits down with writer and producer Jarrett Bellini for a talk about how this podcast came about, the stories behind the making of the show and everything in between.

Nancy Reeder always loved the outdoors, so when she and her partner Lonnie began their AT thru-hike in 2009, they knew the would finish. What they didn't anticipate though, was the abrupt end of the thru-hike attempt in a frigid and snow-packed Virginia winter. They set out again though and managed to bring closure to a family tragedy that occurred on the trail years earlier. 

After reading the memoir of Earl Schaffer, the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail, Dave Donaldson wanted to honor the legendary outdorsman by giving himself the trail name Spirit of 48. What he didn't anticipate though was spending part of his hike with the AT's original thru-hiker and forming a friendship that would stay with him forever. 

When Jonathan MacFarland got on the Appalachian Trail, he was the first to admit he had no idea what he was doing. But along the way, his hike became a story of shedding guilt, learning to not be angry, and becoming the one others came to for advice. 

If it were up to Heather Starbuck, she'd gladly have never hiked the Appalachian Trail. But the tragic and heartbreaking death of her boyfriend, Matt Adams, became a mission to walk from Georgia to Maine in an attempt to shed light on a crisis that is gripping America. in our most powerful episode yet, she shares her story of tragedy, unspeakable loss and learning to deal with both. Audience discretion is advised. 

While we get ready for the stretch run of season one-We just needed an extra week to get our ducks in a row. But in the meantime, a quick message from The 2180 HQ, where we're still grinding away and getting some great stories of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. We'll be back next week with a fresh new episode! 

Leigh Rothermel began going on backpacking trips in middle school, and from day one, she fell in love with the outdoors. As life does, her corporate job got in the way, and tiring of morning commutes and sitting in an office, she left Atlanta, moved in with her parents, and started preparing for a 2015 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

After the tragic death of his father, a falling out over the family business and a subsequent divorce, Colin Gooder was looking to do something positive to change the string of sadness he had worked through. So when he decided to open a hostel in his hometown of Franklin, NC, he found a community he's grown to love and people he feels compelled to help.  

In 1980, Larry Luxenberg was about to start grad school in New York City after leaving the journalism business. Before he moved though he took a leap and went for a walk on the Appalachian Trail which would change his life and lead him to write a book and start the Appalachian Trail Museum, which he'd later be inducted into by his peers.   

After retiring, Bill Van Horn and his wife moved to the trail town of Franklin, NC where they began getting active with the Nantahala Hiking Club. Their work prompted them to tackle a section hike of the Appalachian Trail, and firmed up their passion for the outdoors and working to preserve America's public lands.