BONUS episode: COVID-19 and the Appalachian Trail
“I had seen a documentary on the Appalachian Trail, and I thought to myself, ‘If I was smart, that’s what I would do to heal’.”
— Candy Podolsky
Season Two of Common Land will be focused on the Appalachian Trail, and production was scheduled to start in March of 2020. Unfortunately, the spread of COVID-19 has forced us, along with many others hoping to thru-hike the entire 2,200-mile-long trail, to postpone their trips. In this bonus episode of the show, we explore the motivations behind those seeking to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, and examine how the spread of COVID-19 has affected these hikers, as well as the trail itself.
Common Land host/producer Matt Podolsky and his mom Candy on the Long Trail in Vermont
In 2013 Common Land producer Matt Podolsky hiked the 273-mile Long Trail with him mom Candy. This long distance trail, which follows the spine of the Green Mountains across the entire state of Vermont, was the first long distance hiking trail in the United States, and served as the inspiration for the creation of the 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail. Check out “On the Trail”, the short documentary Matt produced about this trip.
Tara Dower (AKA Candy Momma)’s COVID-19 updates
Tara Dower served as the caretaker for an Appalachian Trail bunkhouse in Hot Springs, North Carolina during March of 2020. She was one of the few people connected with the Appalachian Trail thru-hiking community who was sharing regular updates on how the spread of COVID-19 was affecting hikers, and the trail. Below you’ll see the first video in her coronavirus thru hiker update series. You can watch all of her videos on her YouTube channel by clicking here.
Rune Raven and Nikoline Hamann’s Appalachian Trail Journey
Rune and Nikoline traveled from Denmark to the United States to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. They entered the US just hours before the European travel ban went into effect. They spent just under two weeks hiking the Appalachian Trail, before getting off trail at the end of March, 2020 due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. After a short break however, they were able to get back on trail, continuing their 2020 thru-hike attempt. You can follow their entire journey on their YouTube channel by clicking here. Below is the first video they posted after getting back on trail May 1st, 2020.
Episode Credits:
Produced by: The Wild Lens Collective and Radio Boise
Producer: Matthew Podolsky
Production Support provided by: Jennifer Jerrett
Thanks to our guests: Candy Podolsky, Miranda Podolsky, Rowan Podolsky, Tara Dower, Rune Raven, Nikoline Hamann
Music by: Like A Rocket, Ragged Coyote, Greg Willis