Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those o...
Aug 12, 2025•25 min
Bio- A random meeting on a beach leads to a calling that cannot be ignored. My awesome sister-in-law sits down to talk about her recent journey on the Camino. Guest Links- Jackie on Facebook - Jackie Kiki Kane Jackie on Instagram - Instagram (@jackiekane_) Walking with Sam - Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain Passport to Everwhere, Andrew McCarthy - "Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley" Know Before You Go: Camino de Santiago with Author Andrew Mc...
Aug 05, 2025•32 min
Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those o...
Jul 29, 2025•13 min
A random meeting on a beach leads to a calling that cannot be ignored. My awesome sister-in-law sits down to talk about her recent journey on the Camino. Guest Links- Jackie on Facebook - Jackie Kiki Kane Jackie on Instagram - Instagram (@jackiekane_) Walking with Sam - Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain Passport to Everwhere, Andrew McCarthy - "Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley" Know Before You Go: Camino de Santiago with Author Andrew McCarth...
Jul 22, 2025•37 min
Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those o...
Jul 15, 2025•20 min
Guest Links- Nicole Williams on Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolewilliams_lcsw_cpc Nicole Williams on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicole_williams_lcsw/ Lisa Carpenter’s site - https://lisacarpenter.ca/ Lisa Carpenter on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisacarpenterinc/?hl=en Full Frontal Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-full-frontal-living-podcast-with-lisa-carpenter/id1455231729 Jim Fortin’s site - https://www.jimfortin.com/ Jim Fortin’s podcast - https:...
Jul 08, 2025•16 min
Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those o...
Jul 01, 2025•20 min
Red Squirrels, fir scales and Moonstone jackets….Liteshoe is preparing for the 100-Mile Wilderness. Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and...
Jun 24, 2025•13 min
Finding it hard to make friends as an adult? All you need is to find your tribe…your hiking tribe! Part 2 of this 2-part series lists some of the things you can look for and some of the groups that are out there! Guest Links- Trail Dames – http://traildames.com Women Who Hike - https://www.womenwhohike.com/ Unlikely Hikers - https://unlikelyhikers.org/ Outdoor Afro - https://outdoorafro.org/ Native Women’s Wilderness - https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/ LatinXHikers - https://www.latinxhike...
Jun 17, 2025•18 min
Orange kites, dogs with rocks and lots of moose scat…. Maine does NOT disappoint! Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online...
Jun 10, 2025•17 min
Finding it hard to make friends as an adult? All you need is to find your tribe…your hiking tribe! Part 1 of this 2-part series lists some of the things you can look for and some of the groups that are out there! Guest Links- Trail Dames – http://traildames.com Women Who Hike - https://www.womenwhohike.com/ Unlikely Hikers - https://unlikelyhikers.org/ Outdoor Afro - https://outdoorafro.org/ Native Women’s Wilderness - https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/ LatinXHikers - https://www.latinxhike...
Jun 03, 2025•17 min
Struggles with time, ‘putting up’ grouse and signing next to legends…… Liteshoe hikes on. Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousan...
May 27, 2025•16 min
What better music to listen to than music inspired by the beauty surrounding us on the trail? Enjoy these three hiking songwriters on your next trek! Guest Links- Adam Ruzzo Website - https://adamruzzo.com/home Adam Ruzzo Fireside Chat on YouTube - https://youtu.be/uZvUQXYcnyw?si=5ZLIT4PW0nVPcEzv James Bishop on NHNPR - https://www.nhpr.org/2024-04-01/this-artist-weaves-the-natural-sounds-from-a-1-300-mile-hike-into-music James Bishop Website - https://www.sofarsounds.com/artists/james-bishop Wi...
May 20, 2025•14 min
Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those o...
May 13, 2025•11 min
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or fresh and new to the trail, we could all use a little brush up on good manners on the trail. Links- Hiking Etiquitte from the NPS - Hiking Etiquette (U.S. National Park Service) Hiking Etiquette from the US Forest Service - Bridger-Teton National Forest - Recreation Leave No Trace - lnt.org Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at info@traildames.com You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: Trail Dames The Summit: The Summit 2024 - Presented by the Trail Dames...
May 06, 2025•16 min
Laura M Clark grew up in Southern California. She moved to Colorado in her 20s, and has enjoyed hiking there ever since. She has summited over 600 peaks above 13,000′ solo, including being the first woman to solo summit all the Colorado 14ers, as well as the centennials. After each hike, she writes trip reports for each one and publishes them on her blog, which is read by fans all over the world. She has been a Girl Scout since she was 6 years old, and a Girl Scout Volunteer for over 20 years, l...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min
Lite Shoes tackles the most famous, and difficult, mile on the whole AT! Yep, she has finally hit Mahoosuc Notch! Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA...
Apr 22, 2025•14 min
My name is Ginger DeHaan; my trail name Iris. I'm a mother of eight, grandmother of four, wife of a Chef, and wrangler of three sassy dogs. I also teach first grade at a title one school in upstate South Carolina. Each year I pretend thru-hike my students. Last year we did Bama-to-Baxter. This year, we completed the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT). Next year we will school calendar year Triple Crown!!! From Leave No Trace Principles to Trail Magic, we incorporate as much love and respect for the...
Apr 15, 2025•43 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those origin...
Apr 08, 2025•13 min
Guest Bio- My name is Ginger DeHaan; my trail name is Iris. I'm a mother of eight, grandmother of four, wife of a chef, and wrangler of three sassy dogs. I also teach first grade in the Piedmont region of South Carolina. Each year I pretend to thru-hike my students. We have hiked Bama to Baxter twice, the Eastern Continental Trail, and this year we are doing a border-to-border school calendar year Triple Crown with time to run the Iditarod. From Leave No Trace to Trail Magic, I incorporate as mu...
Apr 01, 2025•40 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those origin...
Mar 25, 2025•15 min
Tami Brooks is a freelance travel writer and author living in East Texas. When she's not out on the trails or kayaking, you can find her on her back deck plotting her next adventure. Tami loves to blend her experiences in nature with her writing, sharing her passion for the outdoors and travel with others. Guest Links- Tami’s Website - https://tamis-trippin.com/ Tami on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tamis.trippin Tami on Linktree - https://linktr.ee/TamiB?utm_source=linktree_profile_shar...
Mar 18, 2025•42 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those origina...
Mar 11, 2025•18 min
Amanda K. Jaros is the author of In My Boots: A Memoir of Five Million Steps Along the Appalachian Trail and 100 Things to Do in Ithaca Before You Die . She is the editor of Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology. Her literary nonfiction has appeared in journals and magazines including Flyway , http://Terrain.org , Newfound, Appalachia, and elsewhere. She served in a variety of editorial positions, including editor-in-chief, at Literary Mama for ten years. She lives in Ithaca, NY with he...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min
Bio- Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Lite Shoe, along with many of those o...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min
We have three extraordinary writers coming up on the Trail Dames Podcast and today we share their stories of Colorado wildlife in the dark, the hope and anxiety of the AT approach trail and the undeniable call of the Grand Canyon. And no worries, Lite Shoe will be back next week!!! Guest Links- Laura M Clark aka Wild Wanderer http://www.wildwanderertripreports.com Amanda K Jaros - http://www.amandakjaros.com/ Tami Brooks - https://www.amazon.com/52-Weeks-Hikes-Reluctant-Life-Changing-ebook/dp/B0...
Feb 18, 2025•29 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those origina...
Feb 11, 2025•23 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those origina...
Feb 04, 2025•16 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those origina...
Jan 28, 2025•19 min
Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those origina...
Jan 21, 2025•20 min
