Common Land

The Wild Lens Collective
  • 4.5 (32)
  • WILDERNESS
  • SERIES

Follows show producer Matt Podolsky as he attempts to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail with his 65-year-old mom, Candy. Matt and his mom face extreme weather, illness, and injury as they trek 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, Matt shares stories of remarkable people, surprising history, and the modern challenges facing the Appalachian Trail — all as the iconic footpath marks its 100th anniversary. Season two of Common Land was produced by The Wild Lens Collective, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio. 

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  1. Appalachian Trail Episode 1: The Journey Begins

    EPISODE 1

    Appalachian Trail Episode 1: The Journey Begins

    Matt and his mom Candy begin their thru-hike in Georgia. As they begin to get a feel for their new routine, we explore the history of the former Cherokee Nation in Northern Georgia. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  2. Appalachian Trail Episode 2: Trailnames and Cherokee footpaths

    EPISODE 2

    Appalachian Trail Episode 2: Trailnames and Cherokee footpaths

    Matt goes birdwatching on the trail and discovers his trailname. The exploration of trail names continues with another thru-hiker who thru-hiked the AT to connect with the experiences of his Cherokee ancestors, and to identify ancient footpaths that overlap with the Appalachian Trail.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  3. Appalachian Trail Episode 3: Fear and the Chestnut Tree

    EPISODE 3

    Appalachian Trail Episode 3: Fear and the Chestnut Tree

    Matt and Candy hike their first 20 mile day, despite Candy’s fear of injury. There are other things to fear on the trail too - Matt and Candy have their first encounter with a Timber Rattlesnake, and they start to explore the ecological history of the Appalachians. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  4. Appalachian Trail Episode 4: Walking Off the Grief

    EPISODE 4

    Appalachian Trail Episode 4: Walking Off the Grief

    Matt and Candy experience tragedy on the AT. A friend and fellow hiker loses his life in a tragic accident, forcing Matt to reflect on the loss of his dad, and his reasons for thru-hiking. The AT was born out of grief, and we explore how the trail’s origin story is connected to loss and reflection.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  5. Appalachian Trail Episode 5: Halfway There

    EPISODE 5

    Appalachian Trail Episode 5: Halfway There

    As Matt and Candy reach Harper’s Ferry, known as the psychological mid-point of a thru-hike, we explore how the trail went from simple footpath to a uniquely shaped National Park. The AT’s history is also a history of racial segregation, and we talk to historians and modern hiking guides who are using the trail to teach about the underground railroad. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  6. Appalachian Trail Episode 6: The Trailblazing Grandma Gatewood

    EPISODE 6

    Appalachian Trail Episode 6: The Trailblazing Grandma Gatewood

    Candy reflects on how few older women she sees thru-hiking the AT, and we dive into the history of Appalachian Trail thru-hikes. This history begins with Grandma Gatewood, the woman who popularized the concept of a thru-hike in the 1950s.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  7. Appalachian Trail Episode 7: Climate Change on the Trail

    EPISODE 7

    Appalachian Trail Episode 7: Climate Change on the Trail

    Matt and Candy experience some of the most challenging terrain along the entire AT during an intense thunderstorm. The weather is changing, and that makes an AT thru-hike more dangerous and difficult to plan. We explore how climate change is altering the trail and the trail experience. An injury forces Matt and Candy to reevaluate their plans. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
  8. Appalachian Trail Episode 8: Roadblocks

    EPISODE 8

    Appalachian Trail Episode 8: Roadblocks

    As Candy is forced off trail, Matt experiences numerous obstacles as he tries to continue the hike. He learns of a Native American reservation in Connecticut that threatened to shut down the trail, and he is nearly stopped in his tracks by a bite from a tick.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    28 min
See All Season 2 (23)

Trailers

4.5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Follows show producer Matt Podolsky as he attempts to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail with his 65-year-old mom, Candy. Matt and his mom face extreme weather, illness, and injury as they trek 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, Matt shares stories of remarkable people, surprising history, and the modern challenges facing the Appalachian Trail — all as the iconic footpath marks its 100th anniversary. Season two of Common Land was produced by The Wild Lens Collective, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio. 

Information

  • Creator
    The Wild Lens Collective
  • Episodes
    37
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Common Land

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