Another newly minted thru-hiker from the Class of 23 joins us this week. Emily Johnson turned to backpacking when she met a guy who would become her hiking mentor. She found escape in the woods from her stressful job as a young nurse during Covid.

Emily pushed through the horrendous variety of weather that thru-hikers encountered this year, making it to Katahdin in exactly six months.

You can follow Emily at her various social media channels. On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/6821010384580558/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=7430986266916297 , on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cobwebrose_on_the_trail/ and on her YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@cobwebroseonthetrail2447?si=jtwfLSVFnFaFxB-4

We catch up with Jessica as she is trying to race winter and get her own thru-hike wrapped by Christmas. Unfortunately, her partner was at Urgent Care as we spoke.

If you'd like to find out more about "Then The Hail Came," check out George's website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/. You can also find George's book on Amazon at this link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I’m sure several of you say, “I could do that. I’ve got an awesome story to tell.” You’re the person we need to hear from. If you’d like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I’ll be in touch. https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/guests/intake/

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.

Don’t forget to check out our Woods Hole Weekend videos on our HRN website and on my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@hikingradionetwork . We’ve opened them up to everybody for free. I hope you get a lot of great advice from them.

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Additionally, we accept Venmo and Zelle through steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Any support is gratefully received.

You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/, or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com.

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.