Episode #5 - Paul Fuller & Caratunk House

The Platinum Blazing Podcast

PAUL FULLER & CARATUNK HOUSE

In 1990 Paul “One Braid” Fuller completed his first thru-hike - this one of the Appalachian Trail. After two thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail and another hike of the AT, Paul started Caratunk House, a hiker hostel in Caratunk, Maine - just a few steps north of the Kennebec River and just a few steps off the AT.

After serving hikers for many years, Paul closed the hostel for a few years but was drawn back to his passion for helping hikers in 2016. After a number of additional years of running the hostel, Caratunk House closed during COVID and will not be reopened.

In the original edition of Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail, Caratunk House was highlighted for its wonderful family-style breakfast and its incredible milkshakes; and Paul was identified as one of the “Best Platinum Hostel Hosts.”

The 2024 Edition of Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail established the Platinum-Blazing Hall of Fame. Paul and Caratunk House were inducted into this Hall of Fame for their service to the AT community.

THE PLATINUM BLAZING PODCAST

Our Podcaster:

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: http://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.