EP 133 The American Perimeter Trail with Rue McKenrick
Rue McKenrick is no doubt one of the most prolific long-distance hikers today, but he doesn’t know how many miles he’s hiked because he doesn’t care about that. It’s not what defines him, but if you need to know then let’s just start with his Triple Crown over a decade ago, the many long trails all over the US and abroad, and most recently a 12,000-mile route spanning the perimeter of the contiguous United States. Rue is a hiker, yes, but he’s also the Executive Director and founder of the American Perimeter Trail Conference.
In the words of the organization itself, “the vision of the American Perimeter Trail Conference is to create a protected corridor of land and natural resources available for recreational use roughly tracing the contiguous United States. The American Perimeter Trail seeks to connect the land, resources, people, and communities. It strives to encourage conservation efforts through recreation, allowing all people and generations to experience the diversity of the contiguous United States.”
It’s no doubt a gigantic undertaking, but it’s one Rue is dedicated to.
This conversation touches on a number of topics from where Rue came from, why he hikes, what conservation is so important, what’s wrong with the “industry” today, and finally, why he thinks backpackers will save the world.
Rue believes in community and sincerely wants to connect us together to form bonds strong enough to heal both ourselves and those around us.
Show Notes
Introductions
Is backpacking gaining in popularity?
Getting to know Rue’s background
Why the American Perimeter Trail
The mission of the APT
The inherent nature of building trails
What will happen because of trails
The APT as a conservation organization
The APT’s approach to conservation
Wildlife corridors
On supporting companies that support conservation
Thoughts on hiking for a cause
The need to start having open and honest conversations
What Rue gets out of backpacking
Links
By Land Links
LEARN HOW TO BACKPACK https://www.learnhowtobackpack.com/
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChSSISEgIfwYz2cc0aHQj3g
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INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/byland.co
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