In this episode I was joined by a special guest who I met in port Clinton, Pennsylvania right out in front of the town Post Office. She was dropping off another hiker and I asked her if she could shuttle me to the next town over Hamburg, PA, which was about 2 miles away. I had been craving Chinese food, so she recommended the JA Buffet. It ended up being one of the best Chinese buffet restaurants I’ve ever eaten at, and I sat there and gorged myself for 2 hours. Fortunately, I took one of her cards and was able to text her the next morning for a shuttle back to the trail. I did a bit of shuttling after I finished my 2024 thru-hike last fall, so I was very interested to sit down with Pip and gain some insights from her about her business. We discuss how she got started shuttling, what brings her joy in doing it, what some of the challenges of running a hiker shuttle are, and what advice she would give for someone who wants to start their own hiker shuttling service. We welcome to the channel Alicia (aka Pip on the trail), the owner and operator of Pip's Shuttle service.*You can contact Pip for shuttle and slackpacks services at: (717) 371-7646#appalachiantrail #at2024 #at2025 #appalachiantrail2025 #backpacking #atnobo2024 #atnobo2025 #thruhiking #atnobo @FarOutguides #hike #hiking @senchidesigns #originalmaine @TheTrek #ThruHiker #ATClassof2024 #ATClassof2025 #baxterstatepark #katahdin #mtwashington #senchidesigns @HyperliteMountainGear #100milewilderness #sloggyhikes #hikersessions #pipspashuttles #hikershuttle #shuttle

In this conversation, MAV and I discuss the transformative power of hiking and backpacking, exploring personal experiences, the challenges of long-distancetrails, and the connections made along the way. Mav sharesinsights on his journey through various trails, the significance of trail names, and the impact of hiking on his perception of people. We also delve into the balance between work and hiking, the evolution of gear, and the excitement of ultra running, something new that MAV has recently taken up. I feel our conversation highlights the freedom and purity found in nature, as well as the relationships that endure well beyond the trails.

#sloggyhikes #hikersessions #appalachiantrail #baxterstatepark #katahdin #springermountain #hikemaine #optoutside #senchidesigns @hyperlite_mountain_gear @senchi.designs #hope #resilience #inspiration

#atclassof2014 @altrarunning #altrarunning #MAV @jason_mav_brocar

Today’s episode features Alyssa Cass—known on the trail as Bliss—whose journey began growing up near the Appalachian Trail and led to a life-changing thru-hike. Along the way, she faced intense physical and emotional challenges, learning the power of mental toughness, adaptability, and even how to lighten both her pack and her mindset. With the support of a strong trail community, nature became a source of healing and transformation. Her journey reached a memorable peak with a surprise proposal atop Katahdin, marking not just the end of the trail, but the beginning of a new chapter. Now, Bliss is looking ahead to future adventures with her partner, carrying forward the joy, resilience, and therapeutic connection to nature that defined her hike.