In today’s episode, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Madison Blagden, the second female thru-hiker of the more than 5,500-mile Eastern Continental Trail. Since her first encounter with thru-hiking in 2017, Madison, aka “Peg Leg” has been captivated by the trails, embarking on epic adventures that defy the ordinary. Despite facing setbacks like losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned adversity into opportunity, spending two years traversing the US in a vehicle.
From tackling 1,300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail between college semesters to completing the entire PCT in 2022 via a SOBO/flip-flop hike, Peg Leg's determination knows no bounds. Her latest conquest, the "Bama to Baxter" journey, saw her connecting trails from Alabama to Maine, including the Pinhoti Trail, parts of the Benton Mackaye Trail, and the Appalachian Trail. But Peg Leg's thirst for exploration didn't stop there; inspired by an encounter with an ECT hiker in Vermont, she extended her trek to include the International Appalachian Trail, spanning 1500 miles across diverse landscapes. From Maine to Newfoundland, Peg Leg's footprints left a trail of resilience and passion. Currently en route from Alabama to Key West, Florida, she has become the 2nd woman in history and the 9th person ever to complete the entire Eastern Continental Trail, a testament to her unwavering spirit and love for the great outdoors. Join us as we uncover the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of Peg Leg's awe-inspiring journey.
Madison’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/madisonblagden/
Blog on the Trek https://thetrek.co/author/madison-blagden/
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Ep. 887: Nonstop Solo Sail Around the World - Revisited - Jerome Rand
Ep. 886: Climbing Volcanoes for Good - Angie Marie
Ep. 885: The Sport of Finding Bigfoot, Seriously - Laura Krantz
Ep. 884: How Adventure Comes Full Circle - Connor Koch
Ep. 883: Using Financial Independence to Fuel a Life of Adventure - Revisited - Chris Mamula
Ep. 882: The First Ski Traverse of the Colorado Trail - Nicolette Jones & Mark Johnson
Ep. 881: How Adventure Helps Us Start Over - Revisited - Sara Schulting-Kranz
Ep. 880: Unsupported Kayak From California to Hawaii - Cyril Derreumaux
Ep. 879: Love and Loss in the Canadian Rockies - Adam Campbell
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Ep. 878: Helping Others Find Careers in Adventure - Revisited - Courtney Condy
Ep. 877: Stories From 34 Years as a National Park Ranger - Revisited - Dallas Koeh
Ep. 876: Born to Surf - Malia Manuel
Ep. 875: TRIPLE Triple Crowner - Heather "Anish" Anderson
Ep. 874: Well Worn Life - Dani Reyes-Acosta
Ep. 873: Thru-Hiking the Florida Trail on a Skateboard - Revisited - Alex Fogt
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Ep. 872: Carrying Canoes to Everest Base Camp - Kyle Roberts & Tom Schellenberg
Ep. 871: Submarine Diving the Great Blue Hole of Belize with NatGeo Explorer - Revisited - Erika Bergman
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