American Perimeter Trail - interview with Rue McKenrick

[Ear Drum]

In a search of this site, I found only three other posts about the American Perimeter Trail, all made before it was hiked.

There is a fresh podcast interview with trail conceiver and 12,000 mile finisher Rue McKenrick. He gives an overview of his story, how the trail came to be, and his experiences. It took two years so this interview, even at an hour, barely scratches the surface. But there's a lot here about finding a purpose in life, and connecting with communities and nature. Worth a listen.

Available on podcast sites as well as here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDx6alRn2lE

from the youtube notes:


Rue McKenrick is a long-distance backpacker and the Executive Director of The American Perimeter Trail Conference. He grew up with the Appalachian Trail running through his backyard in Pennsylvania. After years of international backpacking, he was inspired to return to the US and complete the Triple Crown of backpacking, which includes the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide National Scenic Trails, and the Appalachian Trail.After the completion of the Triple Crown, he first conceived of the American Perimeter Trail as a way to see the entire outline of the US on a single epic journey.McKenrick moved to Bend, Oregon in 2010 and continued to hone his skills of climbing, skiing, trail running, and cycling and in 2019, he began the 12,000 mile scouting trek of the route for the American Perimeter Trail. 2 years later on October 8th, 2022, Rue had a triumphant return to Bend, Oregon where he completed the first thru-hike of the APT.Learn more about Rue and the APT:* Instagram: @Ruemckenrick ( https://www.instagram.com/ruemckenrick/ )* Americanperimetertrail.org ( https://americanperimetertrail.org/ )* Write up in Backpacker Magazine ( https://www.backpacker.com/stories/t...heros-journey/ )

[Ear Drum]

To add, the podcast is Adventure Sports Podcast episode #900.

You can listen here too:

https://www.adventuresportspodcast.com/

[cliffordbarnabus]

does anyone know where i could download this podcast as an mp3 for offline listening on an mp3 player? fyi, i do not own a smartphone.

[Ear Drum]

I haven't tried to get an MP3, but it's mentioned here:

https://www.adventuresportspodcast.com/p/blog-page_9.html

How to Listen to the Show - It's easy!

[cliffordbarnabus]

perfect! thanks. i listened to it today. that guy has a passion and i hope he sees the fulfillment of his dream!

[Ear Drum]

Agreed!
That podcast was new to me recently. I've listened to a couple more, and they've been good interviews with folks who did some cool stuff. Dig around their huge archive (over 900 episodes) if you need some new pods to listen to. Cheers.

[Ear Drum]

Another new interview with Rue, this one on From the Backcountry, a podcast out of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, focussing on trail running and endurance sports in the mountains. I believe the host Will Peterson did the AT, and also holds (or held for a while) the FKT (fastest known time, 5 1/2 days) on the NH White Mountains Direttissima, connecting all 48 4000 footers in one hike.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000605318222

There was some really good stuff in this one, about life, building things, land use, community and more. The podcast is only here that I know of. He has an insta:

https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/