Grab your hiking boots and get ready to journey through the "People’s Park." In this episode, host Missy Rentz welcomes Cinda Waldbuesser, President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), to explore the legendary Appalachian Trail (AT).
Spanning nearly 2,197.9 miles from Georgia to Maine, the AT is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Cinda dives into the unique "three-legged stool" management system that keeps the trail running—a partnership between federal agencies, the ATC, and an incredible army of over 5,000 volunteers.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Stats: From the 16.9 million visits in 2025 to the elevation gain equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 16 times.
Through-Hiking vs. Day-Hiking: Why you don’t need to spend six months in the woods to enjoy the AT, and how the "trail community" supports everyone from casual walkers to "flip-floppers."
Planning & Safety: Essential tips on using the AT Camp registration, managing food in bear country, and the importance of layering for unpredictable mountain weather.
History & Heritage: The 1921 vision of Benton MacKaye and the upcoming Trail Days celebration in Damascus, Virginia.
Recovery & Resilience: How the trail community rallied following the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Whether you’re dreaming of a thru-hike or just looking for a Saturday afternoon escape, this episode is a love letter to one of America’s most iconic public lands.
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