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/
Ep. 821: The King of FKTs - Part 1 - Jason Hardrath
Ep. 820: 75 Years Young and Still Sailing Around the World - Revisited - Lin Pardey
Ep. 819: Solo Circumnavigation of Lake Winnipeg at 18 Years Old - Revisited - Alex Martin
Ep. 818: Life Lived Wild - Rick Ridgeway
Ep. 817: Family of 6 Thru-Hiking the PCT - Revisited - Strawbridge Family
Ep. 816: Behind the Scenes of Search & Rescue - Moose Mutlow
Ep. 815: Iraq War Veteran Finds Peace Hiking the Triple Crown - Revisited - Will “Akuna” Robinson
Ep. 814: Inspiring the Next Generation of Outdoor Adventurers - Paul Dreyer
Ep. 813: Canoeing 1,000 Miles Through the Canadian Tundra - Part 2 - Revisited - Stephan Kesting
Ep. 812: The First Women’s Team to Climb the Seven Summits - Shailee Basnet
Ep. 811: Canoeing 1,000 Miles Through the Canadian Tundra - Part 1 - Revisited - Stephan Kesting
Ep. 810: Climbing El Capitan at 70 Years Old - Dierdre Wolownick
Ep. 809: American Road Trip Expert - Revisited - Tamela Rich
Out on My Own Adventure - Be Back Thursday
Ep. 808: Walking Across Australia With Five Wild Camels - Revisited - Sophie Matterson
Ep. 807: Update - Walking Across Australia With Five Wild Camels - Sophie Matterson
Ep. 806: Vol-Bivouac Paragliding 1,200 km of the Canadian Rockies - Revisited - Benjamin Jordan
Ep. 805: Near Death on the Pacific Crest Trail - Alan Carpenter
Ep. 804: Creating Your Own Thru-Hiking Route - Revisited - Erik Schlimmer
Ep. 803: Circumnavigating the Globe via Skates, Bike, and Row Boat - Revisited - Karlis Bardelis
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