Episode #3 - Doug Douma & SOLA

The Platinum Blazing Podcast

SOLA Hostel - Appalachian Christian Retreat

Douglas Douma (trailname, Banzai) is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, and Sangre de Cristo Seminary. He is an ordained minister in the Bible Presbyterian Church and pastor of Unionville Presbyterian Church in Unionville, New York. Doug is also author of “The Presbyterian Philosopher – The Authorized Biography of Gordon H. Clark.” He completed a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2013 and 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016. He enjoys reading theology, woodworking in his workshop, and occasionally traveling to remote places. He came up with the idea of Sola – Appalachian Christian Retreat while studying for the ministry in seminary. Doug was joined in marriage to his lovely wife Priscilla in October 2016. They now have two young children.

Contact:

[e-mail]

https://www.discoversola.com/

THE PLATINUM BLAZING PODCAST

The podcast host is Bruce (“RTK”) Matson, who completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2018 at age 61. His adventures were captured as part of the Hiking Radio Network podcast known as “Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail Dream.”

Bruce’s memoir of that hike is also available on Amazon.

The Platinum Blazing Podcast was inspired by the book: Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-hike in 3-Star Luxury. A new, updated edition has just been released. It is available on Amazon or on the Platinum Blazing website. Click on the image of the book below or write to the editors at [e-mail].

This new edition features many new Best Platinum honorees, including a new, Platinum-Blazing Hall of Fame. It also has a new section of the Best Platinum Shelters along the Appalachian Trail. Another chapter highlights the “Tennessee Hostel Hop” and the “Virginia is for Hostel Lovers Hike” - each listing helps hikers determine an itinerary to permit them to stay overnight in a hostel for over 200 miles straight in Tennessee and over 100 miles in Virginia.

More information about Platinum-Blazing is available as follows:

• Website: www.platinum-blazing.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlatinumBlazeInstitute
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinum_blazing/

Please email Bruce at [e-mail] with any ideas you have for topics or guests, especially hostel owners, shuttle drivers, AT maintenance club members, owners of best Platinum eating establishments, recent thru-hikers, etc. Please feel free to suggest or nominate yourself.