194 episodes

"Jester" Section Hiker is the Premier Podcast With The Spotlight On Section Hikers!

The stories you will hear are about everyday people who, in addition to their everyday lives, make the commitment to hike long-distance trails where every section is a new beginning.

From National Scenic Trails to National Parks and all Trails in between, listen with your host, Julie Gayheart (Jester), to hear what it means to be a section hiker and the adventure that awaits them section by section.

"Jester" Section Hiker Julie Gayheart

    • Sports
    • 4.8 • 112 Ratings

"Jester" Section Hiker is the Premier Podcast With The Spotlight On Section Hikers!

The stories you will hear are about everyday people who, in addition to their everyday lives, make the commitment to hike long-distance trails where every section is a new beginning.

From National Scenic Trails to National Parks and all Trails in between, listen with your host, Julie Gayheart (Jester), to hear what it means to be a section hiker and the adventure that awaits them section by section.

    173: Jason Smith | Section Hiking The MST

    173: Jason Smith | Section Hiking The MST

    Jason Smith recently completed his Mountains to Sea Trail Section Hike and he's joining me to share all about his journey. Jason and I met in 2021 at NC Trail Days and we have stayed in contact with each other ever since. I am looking forward to hearing Jason share why he wanted to hike, paddle, and bike across the State of North Carolina
    Connect With Jason Smith: https://www.instagram.com/jbirdnc/
    Connect With My Coach James Appleton:
    Seek To Do More:  https://absoluteaid.com/pages/the-seek-to-do-more-program-absoluteaid  
    46 Outdoors: https://46outdoors.com/
    Allegheny Trail Podcast:
    Website: https://www.hikethealleghenytrail.org/alt-podcast  
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpmZshhnan2T549OYZqQtfUpurVIikcVN  
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rA7h9VQASvwws40wLz13t  
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/allegheny-trail-podcast/id1723501614
    Beyond The Trail Podcast:
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRjtcVibW2NbwQudAoFFpzd  
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/704vFsYvuy3WkWk6FKXCWb  
    Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trail/id1716195799
    SAFE AND FOUND 
    Film Website: https://safe-and-found.com
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRq7gkMQdNYkYwbfeAPs5LR&si=zcfU0iB_W66HCrW2
    I Am The MST 
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NTQgi7Q5qQK0zsBYzlAc5Z7&si=ThiEmeJSkd0vovoT
    Appalachian Trail Backpacking Series: https://youtube.com/playlist list=PLskxZDq_L8NRow7YaSuLoQilLCkfR_cGF&si=5Ak7rfu7KJPAVOWZ
    Podcast Host & Producer: 
    Julie Gayheart (Jester)
    Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com
    YouTube Livestream: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpmZshhnan2T06Tb-lbS4GuEiNQe5BrL3&si=hayy5LRuJtIGkVzE  
    🎵 Music By: Victor Lundberg "Top of The Morning" 

    • 37 min
    172: A New Season For Building Strength & Going HIKING

    172: A New Season For Building Strength & Going HIKING

    A New Season For Building Strength & Going HIKING!
    Connect With My Coach James Appleton:
    Seek To Do More: https://absoluteaid.com/pages/the-seek-to-do-more-program-absoluteaid  
    46 Outdoors: https://46outdoors.com/
    Allegheny Trail Podcast:
    Website: https://www.hikethealleghenytrail.org/alt-podcast  
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpmZshhnan2T549OYZqQtfUpurVIikcVN  
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rA7h9VQASvwws40wLz13t  
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/allegheny-trail-podcast/id1723501614
    Beyond The Trail Podcast:
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRjtcVibW2NbwQudAoFFpzd  
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/704vFsYvuy3WkWk6FKXCWb  
    Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trail/id1716195799
    SAFE AND FOUND 
    Film Website: https://safe-and-found.com
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRq7gkMQdNYkYwbfeAPs5LR&si=zcfU0iB_W66HCrW2
    I Am The MST 
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NTQgi7Q5qQK0zsBYzlAc5Z7&si=ThiEmeJSkd0vovoT
    Appalachian Trail Backpacking Series: https://youtube.com/playlist list=PLskxZDq_L8NRow7YaSuLoQilLCkfR_cGF&si=5Ak7rfu7KJPAVOWZ
    Podcast Host & Producer: 
    Julie Gayheart (Jester)
    Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com
    YouTube Livestream: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpmZshhnan2T06Tb-lbS4GuEiNQe5BrL3&si=hayy5LRuJtIGkVzE  
    🎵 Music By: Victor Lundberg "Top of The Morning" 

    • 29 min
    The Ultimate Bucket List Race

    The Ultimate Bucket List Race

    "Jester" Section Hiker Highlights with Tara Dower (Candy Mama).
    Hardrock 100 Mile: https://hardrock100.com/
    I Run Far: Article: https://www.irunfar.com/2024-hardrock-100-lottery-results   
    Javelina 100 2023 Race Coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF4XhmFZjUQ&list=PLZS_k6BQeW_JYBYJGP-zvznni9I6wiGka&index=14&t=805s   
    Previous Podcast Episodes With Tara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9WQ5PtvRz4&list=PLpmZshhnan2T06Tb-lbS4GuEiNQe5BrL3&index=7&t=5s
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJVxXB-1fGs&t=4s
    https://youtu.be/jKPMISXn_ow  
    Tara's 2024 AT Thru Hiker Call Out Video Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWqdt0XAUis  
    Tara's Book - Light & Easy: tarakomlo99@gmail.com
    🎙️Podcast Host & Producer: 
    Julie Gayheart (Jester) 
    Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieGayheart 
    Appalachian Trail Backpacking Workshop Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRow7YaSuLoQilLCkfR_cGF&si=5Ak7rfu7KJPAVOWZ
    🎵Music By: Victor Lundberg "Top of The Morning"

    • 9 min
    171: Allegheny Trail Podcast: Pilot Episode

    171: Allegheny Trail Podcast: Pilot Episode

    Join me as I chat with Allegheny Trail Board Member, Justin Mullins and Outreach Coordinator, Nicolle Sawczyszyn. Justin and Nicolle share about the Allegheny Trail, the Trail 50th Anniversary, Nicolle's quest to complete a section hike of the trail by September 2024,  and Justin's quest to complete a thru hike of the Allegheny Trail in Jan./Feb. 2024. Justin will be raising funds for the trail via a Go Fund Me Fundraiser. We will also share about our launch for the Allegheny Trail Podcast that I will be moderating and producing coming very soon! Exciting Times Ahead!
    Allegheny Trail Website: https://www.hikethealleghenytrail.org/
    West Virginia Scenic Trails Association: https://www.wvscenictrails.org/
    Justin's Go Fund Me Fundraiser: https://gofund.me/d8b13eb8  
    Follow Justin On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Allegheny_Hiker 
    ➡️ Join Us For The First Episode Of The Allegheny Trail Podcast on December 27th at 5:30PM ET: https://youtube.com/live/f0rCuo1pisw
    ➡️ Check Out All The Livestream Podcasts Now Available:
    "Jester" Section Hiker: Livestream https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpmZshhnan2T06Tb-lbS4GuEiNQe5BrL3&si=hayy5LRuJtIGkVzE
    Beyond The Trail: Livestream https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRjtcVibW2NbwQudAoFFpzd&si=EB2LH0Jo6LVmP_wQ
    Allegheny Trail Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpmZshhnan2T549OYZqQtfUpurVIikcVN&si=sz33jqJ8-7eo909F
    🎙️Podcast Host & Producer: 
    Julie Gayheart (Jester) 
    Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieGayheart 
    Appalachian Trail Backpacking Workshop Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRow7YaSuLoQilLCkfR_cGF&si=5Ak7rfu7KJPAVOWZ
    🎵Music By: Victor Lundberg "Top of The Morning" 

    • 21 min
    Section Hiking Vs. Thru Hiking

    Section Hiking Vs. Thru Hiking

    "Jester" Section Hiker Highlights with Liz "Snorkel" Thomas. 
    Connect with Liz "Snorkel" Thomas: 
    Website: https://www.eathomas.com/about  
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizthomashiking  
    Treeline Review: https://www.treelinereview.com /
    Long Trails: Mastering The Art Of A Thru Hike https://www.amazon.com/Backpacker-Long-Trails-Mastering-Thru-Hike/dp/1493028723  
    Appalachian Trail Fastest Know Time (2011): https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/elizabeth-snorkel-thomas
    Far Out Article: https://faroutguides.com/ive-thru-hiked-and-section-hiked-the-pct-which-is-better/
    Appalachian Trail Backpacking Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRow7YaSuLoQilLCkfR_cGF&si=wtow6QBju-6GdWDg 
    Connect with Julie "Jester" Gayheart:
    Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieGayheart
    Music By: Victor Lundberg "Top of The Morning"

    • 7 min
    170: Tara Dower is HANDPICKED for the 2024 HARDROCK 100

    170: Tara Dower is HANDPICKED for the 2024 HARDROCK 100

    Join me as I chat with Tara Dower (Candy Mama) who just found out she is in the 2024 Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Run!
    Hardrock 100 Mile: https://hardrock100.com/
    I Run Far: Article: https://www.irunfar.com/2024-hardrock-100-lottery-results   
    Javelina 100 2023 Race Coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF4XhmFZjUQ&list=PLZS_k6BQeW_JYBYJGP-zvznni9I6wiGka&index=14&t=805s   
    Previous Podcast Episodes With Tara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9WQ5PtvRz4&list=PLpmZshhnan2T06Tb-lbS4GuEiNQe5BrL3&index=7&t=5s
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJVxXB-1fGs&t=4s
    https://youtu.be/jKPMISXn_ow  
    Tara's 2024 AT Thru Hiker Call Out Video Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWqdt0XAUis  
    Tara's Book - Light & Easy: tarakomlo99@gmail.com
    Appalachian Trail Backpacking Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLskxZDq_L8NRow7YaSuLoQilLCkfR_cGF&si=wtow6QBju-6GdWDg 
    Connect with Julie "Jester" Gayheart:
    Email: jester@jestersectionhiker.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieGayheart
    Music By: Victor Lundberg "Top of The Morning"

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
112 Ratings

112 Ratings

Hiker Kevin ,

Best podcast for section hikers and hiking enthusiasts

I’m glad I found this podcast. I listened to every episode in under three months. Jester offers a calming and relaxing tone with routine laughter as she provides great detail and explanation of her hiking experiences. This show is very informative with respect to a vast range of hiking guests and great gear reviews. (Including Dan Durston!) I only recently got into hiking and have aspersions to one day through hike the AT. Those dreams will have to wait since I have a family and a mortgage and that’s ok, because I get the privilege to complete trails one section at a time. Jester models how to successfully plan for and complete section hikes. I truly enjoy how she is relatable to those in the hiking community as she tells it how it is including the challenges and hardships as well as the successes. Please give this podcast a listen and I know you will appreciate it as much as I do.

Rolfdenver ,

Great info and warm style

Jester’s section-hiking podcasts are chock-full of useful information, especially on section hikes in the eastern US including the Appalachian Trail. Jester has a warm, pleasing style both when interviewing guests and when sharing her own vast knowledge and experience. Her passion for hiking and educating others is infectious.

old man, airborne runner ,

An amazing hiking podcast!

It is great to have a podcast focus on section hiking. All though I have been a scoutmaster and led backpacking trips, I learn something on every episode! Julie and her guests make me laugh, challenge me to think and impart wisdom! Keep up the great show!!!

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