We are starting a new segment to the podcast, called Trail Tech Hacks - apps and/or tech that we use on the trail to make the journey a little easier or more enjoyable.

We are starting with one of our favorite trail apps - the Merlin birding app from Cornell Labs. How many times have you been on a trail and heard a bird sound, and wondered... what the hell is that?! The last thing you want to carry on the hike is a birding manual. Luckily, the Merlin app makes identifying, and saving, bird sounds and sightings very easy.

My guest on this episode is Kayla, and she is going to guide us through the use of the Merlin app and give us a hack on how to use the app when you are on the trail and have no cell service.

To hear some of the birds mentioned in this episode - jump on over to The Long Ways Podcast's hiking blog.

For more from our hiking trio, follow us on Facebook , Instagram and coming soon - videos on our YouTube channel. Or subscribe to our Substack channel (The Long Ways) or newsletter on our website for the stories behind the trail.

Coming soon - an AMA feature where you can ask us almost anything about our hiking adventures. Watch for an announcement on our social channels.

Have a comment or an idea for an upcoming episode - contact us through our website or email us at hikewithus@thelongwayspodcast.com.

We are back from our 7th Long Ways hike! And this time we come full circle to where we began in 2019... Scotland! One of our favorite hiking destinations, not only because of the amazing scenery, but also the fact that the Scottish are fantastic hosts!

We actually started this trail in 2019 when, for the first time, our trio hiked the West Highland Way. In this episode we compare the two trails, our experiences along the GGW (spoiler... it was amazing), and of course, the big questions... how was the beer and did you see Nessie?

Soon we are also going to start releasing video versions of our podcast on our YouTube channel.. because what is the reason for a hike without the views!

For more from our hiking trio, follow us on Facebook , Instagram and coming soon - videos on our YouTube channel. Or subscribe to our Substack channel (The Long Ways) or newsletter on our website for the stories behind the trail.

Coming soon - an AMA feature where you can ask us almost anything about our hiking adventures. Watch for an announcement on our social channels.

Have a comment or an idea for an upcoming episode - contact us through our website or email us at hikewithus@thelongwayspodcast.com.

Sadie Yates, now a PhD candidate in Theology, spent the summer between her Masters and PhD program hiking the Camino de Santiago. The 500 mile trail leads from the Pyrenees Alps in France to the town of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, and has served as a major route for pilgrims to the cathedral for hundreds of years.

We talked to Sadie about what it’s like to hike Camino, the transformational nature of the trail, and why it set her on the path to hike a new pilgrimage trail each year.

Do you have a story from a long trail that you would like to talk about? Or are you interested in a guest on your podcast? We would love to talk to you! Drop us a message at hikewithus@thelongwayspodcast.com

Stay tuned for updates from our upcoming hike on the Great Glen Way.... what could go wrong?

For more from our hiking trio, follow us on Facebook , Instagram and coming soon - videos on our YouTube channel. Or subscribe to our Substack channel (The Long Ways) or newsletter on our website for the stories behind the trail.

Coming soon - an AMA feature where you can ask us almost anything about our hiking adventures. Watch for an announcement on our social channels.

Have a comment or an idea for an upcoming episode - contact us through our website or email us at hikewithus@thelongwayspodcast.com.