Episode #6 - Warren Doyle (Part I)

The Platinum Blazing Podcast

Warren Doyle

This week RTK interviews a legend - some might say a famous character, some might say infamous - Warren Doyle. RTK’s own thru-hike was inspired by Warren and you’ll hear a little about that. Warren had just set a new “FKT” for completing a supported thru-hike, when RTK attended a presentation of that accomplishment.

Warren sent on to complete more circuits of the Appalachian Trail than any other person - 18 times he has gone end-to-end on a thru-hike or a section hike. The FKT, which Warren refers to as an “endurance” record. has been broken many times, but his record of 18 AT completions is likely to stand a very long time.

Warren has stayed active in hiking and the AT community, which included helping to found the ALDHA and running the AT Institute which helps hikers prepare for a thru-hike. Sometimes controversial, you will still enjoy hearing about Warren’s story - and judge for yourself.

RTK will also have another fascinating AT History question.

The podcast host is Bruce (“RTK”) Matson, who completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2018 at age 61. His adventures were captured as part of the Hiking Radio Network podcast known as “Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail Dream.”

Bruce’s memoir of that hike is also available on Amazon.

The Platinum Blazing Podcast was inspired by the book: “Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-hike in 3-Star Luxury.” A new, updated edition has just been released. It is available on Amazon, on the Platinum Blazing website, and by writing to the editors at [e-mail].

This new edition features many new Best Platinum honorees, including a new, Platinum-Blazing Hall of Fame. It also has a new section of the Best Platinum Shelters along the Appalachian Trail. Another chapter highlights the “Tennessee Hostel Hop” and the “Virginia is for Hostel Lovers Hike” - each listing helps hikers determine an itinerary to permit them to stay overnight in a hostel for over 200 miles straight in Tennessee and over 100 miles in Virginia.

More information about Platinum-Blazing is available as follows:

• Website: www.platinum-blazing.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlatinumBlazeInstitute

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinum_blazing/

Please email Bruce at [e-mail] with any ideas you have for topics or guests, especially hostel owners, shuttle drivers, AT maintenance club members, owners of best Platinum eating establishments, recent thru-hikers, etc. Please feel free to suggest or nominate yourself.