Jodie Morton and Her Mare Thelma Ride the Continental Divide Trail

Jodie Morton is an Australian long distance horse rider. She shares the story of her 2019 ride on the Continental Divide Trail through Colorado, Montana and Wyoming with her mare Thelma. We learn the reason behind her ride and how she used this as an opportunity to both heal and bring awareness to mental health issues. Jodie's goal is to change the stigma surrounding depression; by making talking and seeking help an easier process and showing the world it's ok to not be ok (source: Green Gold and Blues). This episode does touch on the subject of losing loved ones to suicide and how that impacted her (mid way through the episode at  28:40).

Jodie shares the logistics and planning that goes into long distance riding, including setting up and breaking down camp and the thought she put into Leave No Trace.

We are also joined by Amanda Wheelock of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is a national non-profit working in partnership with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Founded in 2012 by a passionate group of volunteers and recreationists, CDTC is a membership organization working to building a strong community of supporters who want to see the CDT protected not just for today’s users, but for generations to come (source: Continental Divide Trail Coalition).

Amanda shares an overview of the CDT and how her organization works to support it. The CDT Coalition is sponsoring Virtual Trail Days the entire month of April with special guests, promos and fun ways to get involved and support the trail virtually.

Connect with Jodie:
Instagram: @greengoldandblues
Website: Green Gold and Blues

Connect with Continental Divide Trail Coalition:
Instagram: CDT Coalition
Facebook: Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Website: Continental Divide Trail Coalition

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Special thank you to Isabella for being a show patron!

Music intro track from Fusion used under the Creative Commons license.
Track: Fusion — KV [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/gp613GReEo4
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/fusion
Track Info:
Title: Fusion by KV
Genre and Mood: Dance & Electronic Dark
License: Royalty-free music for YouTube, Facebook and Instagram videos giving the appropriate credit.
Music outro track "Two Mountains at a Time" from Live at the Fillmore by Pachyderm, used under the Creative Commons license. 
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