Episode 54: Matthew Hengst on Really Long Trails

On this episode: Thru-hiking warm fuzzies, lime green Crocs, and being a divemaster. We’re talking with Matthew Hengst, a self-described indigent hiker who recently completed a 5,000 mile hike on the Eastern Continental Trail.

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Show Notes

• 0:30 – Introducing Matthew
• 04:15 – What is it like to hike 5,000 miles?
• 06:20 – The biggest animal problem in the south? Hint: it’s not the gators.
• 08:40 – When Matthew got into hiking
• 10:45 – How do you follow up the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT)?
• 12:54 – The transition from 302 days on the trail back to “normal” society
• 14:00 – Physical recovery after the ECT vs the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
• 16:00 – Biggest challenges on the PCT vs the ECT
• 19:00 – Would you do the PCT or Appalachian Trail (AT) again?
• 20:00 – Footwear (socks, shoes, etc.) for hiking 8,000 miles
• 23:30 – Food on long trails.
• 25:00 – How did you figure out how to connect up the trails that make up the ECT route?
• 28:30 – Mosquitos and “No See-ums”
• 33:40 – The human connection on the trail (and the giant warm fuzzy of thru-hiking)
• 35:40 – Preparing to thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)
• 36:00 – Diving, and advice for anyone interested in getting into it
• 41:50 – Completing the Triple Crown (AT, CDT and PCT)… and beyond
• 44:35 – How do you support yourself while you do all this walking?
• 48:10 – Favorite parts of the trails Matt has hiked
• 50:45 – What is a typical day now that he is off-trail?
• 52:41 – What he uses for tech and how he keeps everything connected and charged

Mentioned in this Episode

• Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course
• John Muir Trail
• Pacific Crest Trail
• Florida Trail
• Appalachian Trail
• Eastern Continental Trail
• Pinhoti Trail
• FarOut Guides (formerly Guthook)
• Continental Divide Trail
• Theodore Solomons Trail
• American Discovery Trail
• Arizona Trail
• International Appalachian Trail

Connect with Matthew online

• First Church of the Masochist – Matthew’s website
• Instagram: @mattonamtn
• Watch Matt’s ECT Vlog on YouTube

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Our Co-hosts

• Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
• Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen  web: AdventurUsWomen.com
• Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker  web: SoCalHiker.net

Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music. 

The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.