alison young | alison young • blissful hiker

Little Shakedown on the Prairie

Come with me on a wee backpack trip in harsh conditions to see how I managed.

After 600 miles, these are some of the best shoes I’ve ever worn in terms of ruggedness, breathability, responsiveness, and comfort.

These are my favorite exercises for the feet and toes to keep arthritis and plantar fasciitis at bay.

Just how did a nearly 60-year-old woman with fake hips walk 480 miles in less than a month?

It’s only a short hike into Damascus for Trail Days and the end of my one-month quest, one well worth the effort.

The “Tennessee Thruway” is an easy rollercoaster on a ridge with several trail magicians with food to share.

The night at Riff Raff is such a loud nightmare, I opt to hike out in rain with limited views just to have a camping spot in the woods.

It’s a short day to the Riff Raff pre Trail Days magic of food, beer, camping, slack-packing ad general mayhem.

The trail is mostly in forest past stunning cascades where a friend from last year’s trail brings us food.

On likely the most exceptional section of the Southern AT over high, exposed balds, I get perfect sparkly weather.