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Home/Podcast Episodes/Episode 54: Matthew Hengst on Really Long Trails
Matthew Hengst at Key West

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.


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.

Bonus Material

Matthew Hengst at Key West

Written by:
Jeff Hester
Published on:
January 18, 2022

Categories: Podcast EpisodesTags: backpacking, Thru-hiking

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