blissful hiker ❤︎ inspiring you to hike your own hike
Long-distance backpacker Alison "Blissful Hiker" Young has walked over 13,000 miles on six continents including New Zealand's Te Araroa, Europe's Pyrenean Haute Route, Africa's Drakensberg Traverse and the Pacific Crest Trail in the United States.
In a series of personal essays coupled with found sound, this podcast explores her journey of self-discovery as a middle-aged titanium-reinforced cancer thriver, sharing the sometimes unglamorous but vital truth about empowerment, inspiring others to blaze their own trails in this journey we call life.
blissful hiker ❤︎ inspiring you to hike your own hike
Appalachian Trail: gratitude for hiker and creature alike
The trail is hard in rain, mud and cold, but Blissful gets the boost she needs from hiker and creature.
- It's mountainous now in the 100-mile Wilderness, revealing only misty views of distant lakes enveloped in thick forest.
- The "Sibs", two thru-hikers also from Minnesota, plus "Shoes," a barefoot hiker, meet her and offer encouragement.
- As does Fourth Mountain Bog, a stunning ecosystem crossed by boardwalk where a White Throated Sparrow greets her as well as giant. maroon-veined pitcher plants.
- It's too hard to get to the planned shelter so she and Shoes stay next to Long Pond Stream.
- They are rudely awakened by hikers late at night who warn them not to try to cross and instead offer directions for the reroute.
- Blissful is grateful for all that happened today, even the rude hikers who ensure she doesn't get in trouble in teh flooded stream.
MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
