S1E18: Who is the North Country Trail?

Listen to full episode :

We have the privilege of speaking with the three members of the North Country Trail Association!

Kate Lemon - Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Valerie Bader - Director of Trail Operations

Matthew Davis - Regional Trail Coordinator (North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin)

Today we have a very special episode for all of you as we sit down and chat with three of the members that help create, maintain and grow the North Country Trail which is America's longest National Scenic Trail.

We cover a broad range of topics such as funding for the NCT, the Chapters of the NCT which manage and maintain their local trails, the volunteers that make this trail possible, and what each of these people do on a day to day basis.

We learn that every day is different but the message and theme remains the same, growth of community, growth of accessibility, and spreading their love and passion of a wonderful trail. Valerie said it best, when she said "the other duties of our job description is where we spend 90% of our time." We learn about these other duties and the people that make a thru-hike, a section hike, a day hike, a few miles hike, possible on the North Country Trail.

We chat about land management, community relationships, and community involvement which all are an integral piece of the puzzle that creates a National Scenic Trail.

We chat about the Hike 100 Challenge, a wonderful initiative by the NCTA to increase the accessibility for anyone and everyone who whishes to experience the trail in their own unique way. We chat about the new Events Calendar, that will now make it easier to find, plan, and participate in all things North Country Trail.

Simply, we learn a lot about the workings behind the the physical trail itself, and learn about the wonderful people that makes it their everyday goal to continue to create and spread the love of what it means to be a part of the North Country Trail. 

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

Kate: "The North Country Trail is for everyone"

Valerie: "Very little barrier to entry... you need a pair of shoes and the initiative to get yourself out there!"

Matthew: "For me the NCT is a community...that we are all working together to build a legacy"

Thank you Kate, Val, and Matt for sharing with all of us a piece of what it takes to make such a wonderful trail possible! 

Get out there, get involved, become a part of the community! 

To learn more about the North Country Trail and get involved check out the link below:

Website: Northcountrytrail.org

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

Website: https://www.elevenskys.com/

Don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts if you are enjoying the show! All weirdness not only welcome but appreciated!