Trailcast 05 - Dan "Wingfoot" Bruce
 | trailcast-05-May-10-2005.mp3 (9.5 MB) |
If you’ve ever hiked on the Appalachian Trail, the chances are good that you had some of or all of Dan "Wingfoot" Bruce’s book, the Thru-Hiker’s Handbook in your pack. In my conversation with Wingfoot, he speaks about his Appalachian Trail Guidebook, his multiple AT thru-hikes, the story behind his trailname, and some of his other publishing projects.
Wingfoot maintains a website with an active hiking forum. You can also purchase the most current version of his hand book there. www.trailplace.com
| Music | |
| Intro & Ending | Dennis Murphy’s Polka by Tom Joad |
| Transition | Mia by Kelley Vice |
May 11th, 2005 at 5:46 pm
Nice interview with Wingfoot!
May 20th, 2005 at 5:52 pm
Softball questions and fawning praise from a woefully uninformed interviewer.
May 23rd, 2005 at 11:30 pm
Trailcast is an example of what makes Podcasting great. Bob has a passion for hiking, and wants to bring both some of his experiences and also the great discussions with noteable hikers/authors. Bob never claims to be an expert hiker or sole source for all things that should go on your back before hitting the trail, he just wants to share his passion for hiking with others. After listening to his shows, REI stock is sky rocketing from my shopping. And there are two good trails around Northern California that I have marked complete, with hopefully hundreds more in the US to go.
Thanks Bob!
May 24th, 2005 at 12:13 pm
Just want to say thanks for a very informative and entertaining podcast.
I also appreciate your opinion on Ray Jardine’s book. I had heard that Jardine is a bit of a zealot who does not really understand why most people hike. I had also read the comments on trailforums.com from people who had met Coup the Golite Guy on the LT, and none of them were very flattering. This had made me come to the conclusion that the whole lite backpacking movement was nothing more than a fad for selling yet more equipment.
After your comments I actually went and bought Beyond Backpacking. I found it really informative. Some of what Jardine he says still seems pretty questionable in terms of safety, but then again the man has the experience to back up what he says.
If you ever get to interview Jardine it would be interesting to hear his opinon on Golite. I know he had something of a falling out with them, but would like to hear him tell the story.
June 3rd, 2005 at 3:29 pm
These interviews are well done and I’ve enjoyed listening. I look forward to hearing your upcoming interviews. Would be good to hear from thru-hikers (AT, PCT, et al.) that have some good stories to share. Keep up the good work!
December 27th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
Brian West Says:
May 20th, 2005 at 5:52 pm
Softball questions and fawning praise from a woefully uninformed interviewer.
Me says back:
Total lack of class, Brian.
January 12th, 2006 at 8:09 am
The interview Brian West wanted to see:
Bob: We looked into you, Dan, and we found *this*. Can you explain this? That is your signature isn’t it?
Dan: That’s… no… I… I gotta go. This interview is over! I never wrote that!
Bob: You must explain yourself to the public Dan! The public has a right to know!
Dan: Never! Good bye!
March 23rd, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Wingfoot is a really down-to-earth guy who has seen publicity and knows how to direct it towards the most positive ends. When Bob made the comment about the anniversary proceedings being on TV and that it was ‘why the trail is so busy’, Dan just lightheartedly ignored it and instead commented on how much money and higher memberships such publicity brought.
Bob is wonderfully both informed as well as mis-informed which really allows the interview to proceed in the most unbiased way. He doesn’t try to squeeze answers out of the interview-ees but rather asks simple, straightforward questions that get answered as such.
- Mule
April 7th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
Great article. I am just sad I dont know how to reply properly, though, since I want to show my appreciation like many other.