Episode #363 - Charlie Janssen (Kansas Express)

When Charlie Janssen was just ten miles into his Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2012, he wondered what it would be like to complete a Calendar Year Triple Crown. He found out in 2022, and shares his story with us. Charlie's thoughts eventually solidified and the planning began. His pragmatic approach and never-give-up attitude are clear in our conversation, yet this is still an epic adventure and one that so few people have managed to complete. Charlie is only the thirteenth to complete it. He has so many links to follow if you'd like to dive further into his remarkable achievement. Here's the list: Backpacker Magazine- https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/meet-the-high-school-teacher-who-finished-the-entire-triple-crown-in-a-calendar-year/ Kansas City NPR- https://www.kcur.org/podcast/up-to-date/2022-11-25/a-kansas-city-native-conquered-the-countrys-longest-trails-and-earned-hikings-triple-crown Action News Now- https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/chico-hiker-conquers-7-500-mile-calendar-year-triple-crown/article_fa2a0d60-96d3-11ed-866d-db2e785a2b17.html John Freakin' Muir Podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgeyJhACgpY Vail Daily- https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/janssens-journey-eagle-valley-cross-country-coach-is-attempting-trail-triple-crown/ Vail Daily- https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/janssen-hits-snow-on-appalachian-trail/ Vail Daily- https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/janssen-completes-pacific-crest-trail/ Vail Daily- https://www.vaildaily.com/news/charlie-janssen-completes-7412-mile-calendar-year-trail-triple-crown/ Vail Daily- https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/the-top-5-local-sports-stories-of-2022/ County 10 News, Lander, WY- https://county10.com/distance-hiker-who-passed-through-lander-completes-calendar-year-triple-crown-hiked-appalachian-pacific-crest-continental-divide-trails/ Active NorCal- https://www.activenorcal.com/chico-hiker-completes-coveted-7500-mile-triple-crown-in-one-calendar-year/ Pitt State Magazine- https://www.pittstate.edu/gorillaconnection/2022/01/grads-goal-hike-nations-three-longest-trails-in-365-days.html Pitt State Magazine- https://www.pittstate.edu/gorillaconnection/2022/11/grad-completes-calendar-year-triple-crown.html Black Hills Pioneer- https://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/former-bhsu-athlete-completes-calendar-year-triple-crown/article_a8eecf5a-7d9a-11ed-ac0f-07d33e6519f7.html Hays Post- https://www.hdnews.net/2022/02/05/blazing-a-trail/ Four States Homepage- https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/local-news/psu-alum-attempts-to-hike-the-triple-crown-in-one-calendar-year/ Our Mighty Blue Class of 2023 is now fully fleshed out. It's only the hike that needs to be completed now!! This week, we catch up with Mark Carpenter, who begins next week, while Carl Bergquist will be on the trail, at Amicalola Falls, while many of you are listening to the show on Thursday morning. Doctor Lynne gives us chapter and verse on dealing with the dreaded blister when you're out there. Don't forget, you can download a short document on any of the topics that Lynne has discussed in this series on the show by clicking on the link below. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CJ5llgK7FUnbKnbtbWlsP6v_4dNentVa?usp=sharing Two reminders this week. First, you can join me LIVE tonight (March 2) on Jester's Section Hiker podcast for an exciting announcement. Just click on the link below as we go on air. https://youtube.com/live/Q88Nmojeo_w Second, if any of you are in the vicinity of Amicalola Falls State Park this coming weekend, March 5, you can see me present at the AT Kick Off at 10:30 Sunday morning. My subject is "The Adventure of a Lifetime." If you'd like to find out more about "Then The Hail Came," check out George's website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/ . You can also find George's book on Amazon at this link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6 . If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com . If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received. You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/ , or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com . If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.