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February 22nd, 2025
The Appalachian Trail, regarded as a National Scenic Trail by the National Parks Service and maintained by volunteers from that organization and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, represents one of America’s most popular pastimes: Hiking and Backpacking. More than 3,000 attempts are made each year to ‘Through-Hike’ the 2,197-mile trail, and many millions more step foot on the trail for a day or weekend hike every year.
Today we are joined by Eagle Trail Dancer, a seasoned hiker and backpacking enthusiast. Having backpacked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail (AT) over the course of thirty-five years. Eagle has volunteered extensively in trail conservancy efforts in VA and SC. Sober for 49 years, he shares his experiences with AA, ACOA, and PTSD recovery groups throughout the course of his journey to finish the trail.
Segment Highlights:
- Why Eagle Trail Dancer goes by his ‘trail name’, and how it came to be
- An exploration into the separate subculture of section hiking the trail, in contrast to through hiking
- What inspired Eagle Trail Dancer to begin hiking, and why he did it the way he did
- Growing up in a PTSD and alcoholic home– how Eagle endured and escaped the abuse of his upbringing
- Eagle Trail Dancer’s realization of his own habits and how he steeled himself against alcoholism.
- The continued fight AFTER the drinking stopped, to forgive and find an new path.
- The first section Eagle hiked, and his mental and physical preparation for that first experience on the trail
Things You’ll Learn by Listening:
What resources are available to those struggling with their own or other’s alcoholism
The reality of one man’s struggle and triumph over addiction, PTSD, and how the trail strengthened him through it all.
The history of the pastime of hiking the Appalachian Trail; In one straight shot or in multiple sections.
Jesse Brown’s takes pride in outfitting many backpackers and hikers every fall and spring, ready for any adventure. Stop by for your next pair of boots or a new pack!