Carrie “Mudfoot” Stambaugh

I’m a trained journalist, storyteller, and photographer.

I’m also a passionate outdoorsman, who loves to venture into the natural world by foot and boat.

My wanderlust also draws me to explore all corners of the world and to share the stories of people and places that I collect along the way.

• LIFE

  I grew up on a small farm in the quiet community of Blue Ash, Ohio, amid a sea of gently sprawling suburbs and office parks.

  I was very much the country girl in the middle of a growing city. At a young age, I began writing stories and poetry, determined to share my world with others through words.

  My early short poems and stories were published under my maiden name, Carrie Kirschner. I’ve lost many of these works over the years. If you stumble across one, please send it to me!

  I studied journalism, political science and political communication while attending Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. I’m a proud alumna. 

  I am married to my best friend and hero, Carl Stambaugh. We have two Golden Retrievers, Cooper and Benton. They are our constant companions and share our love of hiking and paddling.

• CAREER

  During college I was a student writer for The Athens News. After graduation I took my first job in Pikeville, Ky. with the Appalachian News Express.

  While working in Pikeville, I became captivated with Appalachia. I love the friendly people, vibrant music and arts, and the breathtakingly lush landscape of undulating hills and valleys.

  I eventually settled in the Ashland, Ky. My work has appeared in a number of regional publications including: The Independent, Ironton Tribune, Greater Ashland Beacon, Bridges, Huntington Quarterly, Portsmouth Metro, and Tri-State Living.

  I have always found the area to be full of rich stories begging to be told. The community also invites and encourages investigative reporting, a passion of mine. My newspaper work has won numerous Kentucky Press Association Awards and been published by the Associated Press and CNHI News Service.

  I am the Editor of The Greater Ashland Beacon and The Carter County Chronicle, two free publications that are family owned and operated. As a freelance writer, photographer and communications consultant, I also apply my skills and talents to a range of other contracted commercial projects.

  I am currently working on a revision of Falcon Guide’s Paddling Kentucky, which is due out in 2017. My edited version of Hiking Kentucky was published in April 2016 and is now available from the Globe Pequot Press.  

• VOLUNTEER WORK

  As citizen of the world, I am happy to donate my time as a volunteer and give monetarily to a number of organizations with missions I passionately support.  

  I am a member of the Ashland Rotary Club and an alumna of the 2013 Group Study Exchange between France and Kentucky. As a long-time Big Sister and board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State I firmly believe mentoring is one of the best ways to improve the lives of young people in my community.

  I serve as chair of the Ashland Tree Board and am a member of the University of Kentucky Boyd County Cooperative Extension Service Committee.   

  I also support other non-profit agencies and charities through the United Way of Northeast Kentucky and am a member of the National Parks Conservation Association and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

• CONTACT CARRIE

  Email: carriestambaugh@gmail.com
  Phone: (606) 369-2635
  Contact Page