Kaatscast: the Catskills Podcast

Hiking Episodes

April 23, 2024

Preparing for a Hike 🎒 with Paul Misko

Paul Misko is an avid Catskills hiker, who –– true to his Boy Scout roots –– is always prepared. As spring rolls in and we pull out the hiking boots (maybe shaking out some nuts and nesting material from winter …

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March 12, 2024

Overlook History Hike with Will Nixon

Will Nixon has been writing about Woodstock for decades, including a column in the Woodstock Times , and two popular books-- Walking Woodstock , and The Pocket Guide to Woodstock , all in collaboration with writer Michael Per...

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Aug. 1, 2023

Leaving No Trace: Outdoor Ethics with Moe Lemire

In July, a small group of hikers was apprehended and ticketed for leaving two Adirondack chairs at the summit of Slide Mountain. Those hikers' actions, while misguided, may have been good-intentioned. But they fly in the face...

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March 14, 2023

Black Bears 🐾 Sharing Space

As Catskills black bears emerge from hibernation, we spoke with three bear experts –– wildlife rehabilitator Kristine Flones, and conservationist couple Patti and Bill Rudge –– who shared some handy tips for coexisting peacea...

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Oct. 11, 2022

Overlook's Spirit Stones: Investigating the Indigenous

Overlook Mountain is a popular Catskills hiking destination, complete with a scenic fire tower and the ruins of an historic hotel. According to researchers, and bolstered by groundbreaking scientific evidence, the mountain's ...

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June 21, 2022

Fire Tower Challenge!

If you're looking for a unique way to experience Catskills views, there's no better time to check out the Catskills' 6 hiker-accessible fire towers ! The 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages hikers to visit all 6, w...

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Aug. 31, 2021

Outdoor Guides of the Catskills: The “Adventure Experts”

On May 11, 2019, the Phoenicia Library presented live, Outdoor Guides of the Catskills: The “Adventure Experts” -- this is a recording of that presentation, featuring Will Soter, co-founder of Upstate Adventure Guides and the...

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July 6, 2021

Outdoor Adventure Guide to the Central Catskills

Over the years, Silver Hollow Audio has produced a number of audio driving guides , including tours of art, history, and outdoor recreation. This week, we've pulled out our outdoor adventure guide, produced in 2016 in associa...

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June 22, 2021

Bramley Mountain Fire Tower

At one time, New York state had more than 100 active fire towers, the purpose of which was to help lookouts –– you guessed it –– spot fires. These days, some of the remaining towers have been repurposed for recreational …

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April 14, 2020

John Burroughs' Heart of the Southern Catskills

Full audio edition of John Burroughs’ classic essay, "The Heart of the Southern Catskills." In 1886, Princeton geology professor Arnold Henry Guyot determined by survey that Slide Mountain, far to the southwest of the Hudson-...

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