appalachiantrailtn

Since Christmas is right around the corner, our gift to our listeners is double the episodes! This also marks the final week of ATTN Podcast stories for the year! We appreciate everyone that has listened and the support that we have been given! Stay tuned tomorrow for part two of our Christmas special! As we’ve learned during our interviews so far, Trail Magic is an important way to show a sense of community along the Appalachian Trail. We have heard from a hiker that started giving his own trail magic while still thru-hiking, but what about the non thru-hikers? In part one of this week’s two episode special, we hear from Ben and Roxy from Blue Ridge Outdoor’s, Live Outside and Play on how providing trail magic is a great way to be a part of the trail when you’re not hiking it yourself! #appalachaintrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE Have you ever visited a place and been in complete ahh of the views and your surroundings? Felt small compared to everything around you? That’s exactly how the Roan Highlands made thru-hiker, IBTAT, feel on his third visit there. To him, the views are so incredible that he just keeps coming back for me. Listen to him describe the beauty of the Roan Highlands in this week’s episode, View Like No Other! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

Trail Magic is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s the common thread we found that ties AT Communities and hikers together. It ranges from providing food or places to stay to simple hellos as hikers pass by. These gestures mean more to hikers than most people realize. It even inspires some to do their own trail magic while on the AT. That’s what we found when we met back up with thru-hikers, Butters and Too Sweet, in this week’s podcast! They were so humbled by other’s generosity that they decided to spread the love and do Trail Magic for their fellow hikers! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

Economic development means big industries and factories, right? Wrong. For the town of Roan Mountain, successful economic development has occurred due to the “sustainable crop” that is Appalachian Trail hikers investing in local businesses. According to Commissioner Mike Hill, small business is going to be the salvation of Roan Mountain, especially now that they have become Appalachian Trail Community 41. Listen to this week’s podcast, Roan is Where the Heart is, to find out how human kindness and small businesses are all you need to make the economy grow!

There’s something in the air when you enter the AT Community of Roan Mountain. Depending on the time of the year it could be the crispness of fall, or in the spring the famous Rhododendrons starting to bloom that catch people’s attention. However, that’s not what Doe River Hiker Rest owner, David Magee, is referring to. When you ask him, he says there is an energy to Roan Mountain unlike any other. David has seen growth occur in this community all due to AT hikers, and only sees more good things coming their way. Find out in this week’s podcast, A Place to Call Home, how David is trying to turn Roan Mountain, TN into a place where people come back to because of the amazing experiences this community offers them! #appalachiangtrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrial

Everyone’s story is different when hiking the Appalachian Trail. This is especially true when you get a group of people from all over the country and world together. Stories range from not wanting to work, taking on the AT because of a long-distance relationship, to just wanting to be outdoors and seeing the trial. However, there is one constant to everyone’s story, they love hiking the AT! In this week’s podcast, discover how different everyone’s stories can be from a very diverse group of hikers! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail

[EXPLICIT] Have you ever thought about taking yourself out of your comfort zone? Experiencing or doing something you never imagined you would? That’s exactly what thru-hiker, F-Ward, did when he decided to take on the Appalachian Trial. Learn his reasonings, what he did to prepare and how he is taking one step at a time to finish his journey on this week’s podcast! #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail [WARNING: Contains profanity]

For many thru-hikers, the Appalachian Trail is a chance to be transformed. This week, IBTAT, who is a YouTube celebrity and 2018 northbounder, reveals the way he feels about the AT and how it helped save his life. #appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail [WARNING: Mention of alcohol addiction and drugs. Also contains profanity.]

What are some words that come to mind when you think about the Appalachian Trail? Hiking, beauty, nature, and freedom are probably top of mind. More than likely economics is not very high on that list. However, for AT Communities to develop and prosper, a good economic relationship between businesses and communities have to exist. Find out from Tyler Engle, Unicoi County Economic Development Director, just what it takes for a small community to embrace its best natural asset, the AT, in this week’s podcast!#appalachiantrailtn #ATTNPodcast #findyourtrail #RISEerwin