In May 2022, Marci Kornegay set off from the Southern Terminus to hike the Pacific Crest Trail but as the journey progressed into Northern California, Oregon and Washington State, wildfires interrupted her goal of reaching the Northen Terminus in Canada by the fall. Undaunted and determined to complete the through hike, Marci and her trail buddies reconvened in June 2023 to complete those elusive miles and claim their PCT through hike crown. Marci shares her highs and lows from the challenge and why it was important to her to complete it. In the meanwhile, she teamed up again with Chris Stafford to take on another long trail bike ride—they completed the 450-mile Potomac Heritage Trail in 2022—this time it was the Empire State Trail. The EST runs the width and length of the state of New York along the Erie Canal from Buffalo (via a detour to Niagara Falls in Canada) to Rochester, Syracuse, Albany where it joins the Hudson River Valley all the way to Manhattan in New York City; a total of over 650 miles. Chris & Marci share that journey from the wilds of upstate NY all the way to Battery Park, back and forth across the Hudson River - with high bridges and fast traffic! Hear what these two adventure buddies got up to along the way and what may be next on the horizon.

Hosts: Chris Stafford & Marci Kornegay
Produced by WiSP
@WiSPSports
@blondebearhikes

Since retiring in 2015, The Wander Women, thrill-seeking nomads Kristy Burns and Annette Demel have hiked tens of thousands of miles, including the Colorado Trail, the Oregon Coast Trail, Superior Trail in Minnesota, Lonestar Trail in TX, going back-to-back-to- back on the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail to earn the Triple Crown. In addition they have added a few thousand miles on their bikes touring through the Pacific Northwest, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and through some American Rail Trails, including the C&O Canal, Great Allegheny Passage and the Empire State Trail—biking from Buffalo, NY to the heart of New York City. Living out of their RV full-time, they are no strangers to seeking adventure and living life to the fullest. They embody what it means to “Find Your Feral” and don’t shy away from the opportunity to share the importance of getting out and finding joy with others. They are living out their goals and continue to find more epic journeys as they set out to through hike the Arizona Trail, The Camino de Santiago, to complete the Ragbrai bike ride across Iowa, and to go global with long distance hiking in Slovenia and Coatia. There is no stopping these wander women, who definitely live up to their name.

Host: Marci Kornegay
Recorded: January 12, 2023

Marci Kornegay completed the Pacific Crest Trail on September 21; a journey that started in the desert at the Mexican border on May 12. The ultimate finish, the touchstone that PCT hikers aim for at the Canadian border was denied her and her trail friends due to wildfires that closed the final 80 miles. And there were other closures that Marci had to navigate and reroute in Northern California and into Oregon. Having reached as far north in Washington State as she could, Marci turned south to complete the miles in California and Oregon that she had earlier had to jump. This time she was completely alone and for her it felt like two different hikes. it became a battle of her will to complete these miles against the quietness of the solitude and loneliness. Her determination to complete held strong. And she found the joy that made hiking the PCT so worthwhile. The sights, the sounds, the smells… all of it unique to the wild and desolate high country that makes the PCT so special. Alas there are still about 280 miles that were closed and she plans to return to before she can check this box. And yes of course there is a next big hike waiting for her: the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) 3,100 miles.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: October 10, 2022

WiSP Sports is the ONLY GLOBAL PODCAST NETWORK FOR WOMEN’S SPORT with more than 60 hosts, 1600+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads.
Every episode is a WiSP SPORTS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at wispsports@gmail.com.

As we continue to follow the tracks of our friend Marci Kornegay (aka blondebearhikes) on the Pacific Crest Trail, we find her back at Lake Tahoe after wildfires in Northern California and Oregon closed the trail. During the course of the hike, which began on the California - Mexico border on May 12, Marci has befriended two women; Simone Federici (aka Glider) and Ultra Marathon/ Endurance runner and Haley Gamertsfelder (aka nattyg), a wilderness conservationist, who have become trail buddies. Thee three of them reflect on the trail so far, their reason and purpose, what they are looking forward to and will take away from this experience. And they also shares some very private habits that they’ve picked up along the way.

https://hikingwithsimone.wordpress.com/pct-blog/

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: August 3, 2022

WiSP Sports is the ONLY GLOBAL PODCAST NETWORK FOR WOMEN’S SPORT with more than 60 hosts, 1600+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads.
Every episode is a WiSP SPORTS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at wispsports@gmail.com.

Our friend and intrepid hiker Marci Kornegay arrived in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday July 20, Day 70 and 1091 miles in on the Pacific Crest Trail. She has now completed the High Sierra of California, which involved five days with over 10,000ft elevation gain, including summiting Mount Whitney. In Marci’s own words: ’Immeasurable magical moments in the first 100+ miles of the Sierra including a Mt. Whitney summit (highest peak in lower 48 at 14,505’) and Kearsage Pass. Exploding with incredible views, challenges, and memorable moments with ridiculously cool people.’ Her closest companions on the trail are Montana native Haley and Californian Simone who have become fast friends while sharing so many special memories. The wildlife has been varied from marmots, who are regular food thieves, to deer, pika, ground squirrels and chipmunks. We caught up with Marci after she had spent the night renewing supplies so she was ready to get back on trail after recording this podcast. The next section of the PCT is known as the Desolation Wilderness round the side of Lake Tahoe, which has a heavy black bear population. The next goal is to cross the Northern California dessert and reach Oregon by August 14.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: July 21, 2022

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com.
WiSP Sports is the ONLY GLOBAL PODCAST FOR WOMEN’S SPORT with more than 60 hosts, 1600+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads.
Every episode is a WiSP SPORTS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Marci Kornegay has arrived in Tehachapi, California and celebrated one month on the Pacific Crest Trail, northbound with 567 miles in the bag. It’s been a tough trail since we last spoke to her as she crossed the Mojavi Desert in triple digit temperatures surviving on snow melt found at water collection stations. As we hear though it’s her water filter system that she carries with her that has kept her hydrated, despite knowing that dead animals, including a skunk, that have drowned in those wells! Marci has crossed the biggest wind farm in the US with 50 mph winds giving her some respite from the 100 degree temperatures. The next 27 miles will be equally as challenging as she climbs the High Sierra taking extra care to filter the greasy orange aquabloom water which is particularly toxic. This will mean carrying extra water 7-8 litres adds up to 14-16 lbs extra weight but she would rather carry water than food when it come down to survival… her thirst is more important than hunger. As she explains her next celebration point will be when she reaches Kennedy Meadows after she has climbed Mt Whitney which, at 14,505 ft is the highest peak in the lower 48. Marci is anticipating a four mile stretch climbing 2-3000 ft as she continues up through California facing new challenges ahead…. there are bears in those hills!

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: June 13, 2022

WiSP Sports is the ONLY GLOBAL PODCAST FOR WOMEN’S SPORT with more than 60 hosts, 1600+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads.
Every episode is a WiSP SPORTS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at wispsports@gmail.com.

On Thursday May 12, 2022, adventurer, hiker and former golf coach, Marci Kornegay, began the Pacific Crest Trail northbound. The 2,650 mile trail begins at the Mexican border and ends on the Canadian border in Washington State some four months later.
On this exclusive podcast series Marci will be sharing her journey, beginning with the highs and lows, literally, of traversing the mountains in the California desert, encountering a few rattlesnakes and an abundance of lizards, hummingbirds and a few other hikers. Marci tells us how her body is adjusting to the heat, staying hydrated, nursing foot blisters and negotiating 6000ft ascents. Chris Stafford caught up with Marci at mile marker 180 when she stopped to meet the Mayor of Idyllwild, CA, eat some cake and take care of a few essential chores after getting a good night’s sleep.

Follow Marci on Instagram @blondebearhikes and @marci_kornegay.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: May 22, 2022

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com.
WiSP Sports is the ONLY GLOBAL PODCAST FOR WOMEN’S SPORT with more than 60 hosts, 1600+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads.
Every episode is a WiSP SPORTS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Elise Wortley is an Englishwoman on a mission; not as a modern day explorer but as an authentic amazon from centuries past. Elise is planning her third journey following in the footsteps of famous women who conquered mountains and oceans from Scotland to the Himlayas. And what makes her journeys different is that she is dressed and equipped in authentic clothing of that period which so far has been the early 1900s. This includes heavy long woolen coats, leather shoes and a wooden backpack; none of which makes for easy going across difficult terrain and in challenging weather conditions. And there’s also altitude sickness to cope with too. But none of these adversities have deterred Elise who was first inspired by reading about Alexandra David-Neel who climbed the Himalayas and Nan Shepherd who explored The Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland. Her next adventure begins in April 2022 when she travels to Iran to retrace the exploits of Freya Stark on her incredible journey to the Valleys of the Assassins. While all these women made history in their time, Elise is also making history of her own inspired by her sheroes.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: March 3, 2022

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com.
WiSP Sports is the ONLY GLOBAL PODCAST FOR WOMEN’S SPORT with more than 60 hosts, 1600+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads.
Every episode is a WiSP SPORTS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Chris Stafford talks to Cathy O'Dowd, the South African rock climber, mountaineer, author and motivational speaker. Cathy began climbing while in university and at 21 took part in her first mountain expedition to the Ruwenzori in central Africa. The first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both south and north sides, she was a member of the First South African Everest Expedition which reached the summit in 1996 following the route used by Edmund Hillary. In 2000 Cathy became the fourth woman to climb Lhotse, the world's fourth highest mountain. She has climbed mountains across southern and central Africa, and South America. Cathy is married to the First South African Everest Expedition leader Ian Woodall.  

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: January 18, 2017

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Greek born Juliana Buhring, who has dual German-English nationality, is an ultra endurance cyclist.  She has taken on some of the longest bike rides in the world in the past four years having discovered the sport more by opportunity rather than ambition. Juliana was raised in the religious sect Children of God and suffered shocking abuse from which she eventually broke free only later to lose the love of her life in a tragic accident. It was during this period of grieving that she was inspired by a friend to start biking and take on marathon challenges.  In 2012 Juliana cycled around the world which took 152 days from Naples to Naples with 144 pedaling days for which she made the Guiness Book of Records. A year later she took on the inaugural Transcontinental Race from London to Instanbul. In 2014, she won the women’s category and finished fourth in the Trans Am Race from Oregon to Virginia over 4, 322 miles and 20 days. And this year she completed the Race Across America crossing 12 states and 3000 miles. 

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: October 24, 2016

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Britain’s Holly Budge started off her sporting life while still a toddler when she began riding eventually taking up eventing. when she reached 20 something she discovered skydiving and was soon to move to New Zealand where she learned filming and became the first woman to became the third woman in New Zealand at the time to be a skydiving camerawoman.
In 2008 she took up her next challenge and became the first woman to skydive off Mount Everest. The following year, she took part in the famous Mongol Derby covering 1000 kms in just 9 days. Since then she she has taken on some of the world’s highest peaks  and led a successful expedition on the technical Ama Dablam (6812m) in Nepal. 
Holly is passionate about sustainability, design and conservation and has a Masters in Sustainable Design. She is currently combining a campaign with an exhibition entitled  ‘How Many Elephants’ which presents a physical commentary on the devastating impacts of the elephant ivory trade. 96 elephants are poached every day which at that rate, would make them extinct by 2025.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: January 12, 2018

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

At the age of 25, Lizzie Carr was diagnosed with stage 2 Thyroid cancer that not only turned her world upside down it also made her question her purpose in life and redefined her priorities. She determined that once her treatment was completed and she regained her strength she would put aside her corporate career and embark on a mission she decided would be not only more fulfilling but change the course of her life. So Lizzie took up paddle boarding as a low impact way of regaining strength and fitness after her diagnosis. She then combined it with a national campaign to rid Britain’s waterways of plastic pollution and became the first woman to paddle 400 miles of Britain’s inland waterways on her plastic patrol collecting water samples and trash. This year she became the first woman to paddle board the English Channel solo… that’s 24 miles from Dunganess to Boulogne in 7 hrs while also on plastic patrol. Both of these adventures challenged her physical and mental endurance and now in remission Lizzie has become a woman on an important environmental mission.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: June 2, 2017

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Lee Craigie from Glasgow, is a former Scottish and British Cross Country Bike Champion who competed for Scotland in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She is one of the co-founders of The Adventure Syndicate - a visionary group of bike riders whose mission is to encourage more women and girls to challenge themselves - and mostly spends her time promoting the sport wherever her travels take her. The group completed the Highland Trail _550 this summer around the remotest reaches of Scotland which she says was deeply rewarding to reach that level of achievement and self-satisfaction. With a ride across the Pyrenees in France next on her list of challenges, Lee and The Adventure Syndicate are truly motivating not just younger generations but all ages to get out on their bike and really their dreams.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: August 23, 2016

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

British long distance swimmer Beth French, has broken multiple records around the world’s oceans and now in her early 40’s has found peace in those achievements and her personal journey. She is now channelling her adventurous spirit with her 11 year old son Dylan in remote areas of the world. Beth’s story takes her from being wheelchair bound due to ME from the age of 10 to 17 and finding her feet again she took her life in both hands to regain her strength through travel and studying natural health around the world. Immersing herself in water first as therapy and later as a physical and emotional challenge Beth set about breaking long distance swimming records including the Molokai Channel which took 24 hours and 10 mins. She is the subject of a new documentary Against The Tides and is also featured in a new book Fantastic Female Adventurers: Truly amazing tales of women exploring the world by Lily Dyu.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: October 18, 2019

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Bernadette Murray together with her friend Lara Friesan will embark on the 2560 mile horseback ride of the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada in April 2020.  The journey will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Murray family thru-ride beginning in April 2020, and ending October 2020. They will explore and compare the countless differences between then and now. From antiquated maps to GPS; cast iron to titanium; Kodachrome to selfie-sticks the history of the Pacific Crest Trail provides a considerably different tale from conception to its current use. In 1970, the Murray family could go for weeks without seeing anyone. They had campsites and fishing holes all to themselves. Since then, the popularity of the trail has risen exponentially accelerated by exposure from the media and the increased need to escape. With an estimated million users annually, it now takes organizations, such as the PCTA and the US Forest Service to manage and preserve the trail’s world-class experience for generations to come. Their journey 50 years ago was a raw undertaking in the wilderness, completely disconnected from society. Today being in nature is increasingly important as the age of technology rapidly advances. Chris Stafford caught up with Bernadette at her home near the Columbia River in Oregon.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: August 20, 2019

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

British ultra endurance cyclist Emily Chappell started cycling as a commuter before becoming a courier in London for six years. But she eventually swapped the narrow roads of London Town for the open countryside to challenge herself in ultra races and long distance cycling.  In 2011-13 she cycled across Asia and from Wales to Japan. A year later she took on Iceland. And then in first three months of 2015 it was Anchorage to Seattle, which was great preparation for the Transcontinental Race. Alas after dropping out halfway when she suspected she was having a heart problem which turned out to be painful intercostal ribs, she determined to give it another shot in 2016. She has recently published her second book Where There’s a Will in which she shares that journey. And as well as the complex emotions of winning such an event, she reveals everything that being a woman in events like this entails, from periods to body image and how cycling has helped her battle with depression.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: November 11, 2019

For more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is The First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 20 hosts, 1200+ episodes across 46 shows and more than 5 million downloads and feeds. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Former golf coach Marci Kornegay achieved a life goal in 2016 when she hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, some 2179.1 miles. The early miles she did alone and then she met a group who were to become hiking buddies for months and friends every since. Marci decided at short notice when she would start on the trail giving herself only two weeks to prepare but undeterred by the challenge she faced she left on July 21 and finished on December 4, just less than five months to complete one of the most well trodden trails in North America. The highs and lows of long distance hiking are inevitable and Marci overcame injury and fire to find trail angels that would save her and restore her faith in humanity.  Conquering the Appalachian Trail is only one journey with many more on her bucket list.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: February 9, 2020

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

Anastasija Strizakova was born in Latvia and moved to Ireland when she was 16 with her parents who were looking for a brighter future for her than Eastern Europe could offer.  Not only has she adopted an Irish accent but in the past few years she has adopted the sport of rock climbing.  It has, she says, changed her life, giving her a new purpose and confidence, and she is a different person to what she was before she discovered this new passion. Anastasija usually climbs five times a week giving her body time to recover with two days rest. Climbing has taken her all over the world where she has reached new heights both metaphorically and physically.  Her favorite challenges being in France and Spain. Her goals now include new climbs and to make a full-time career as an instructor.

Host: Chris Stafford
Recorded: July 1, 2020

Sponsor: Hylands Homeopathic Earache Drops

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.