55 Responses

1. As the pandemic and social distancing continue to make access to our favourite trails awkward Alison brings them into our homes through her vivid podcasts. I can feel the sheep poo on my hand as I carelessly push off the ground after a rest whilst walking in the Yorkshire Dales. And the colourful Kavu hat so casually mentioned at the beginning of the cast was a beacon for Dave and I as we followed in Ali’s wake on the John Muir Trail some years ago.
   Absolutely splendid, thank you!

2. A good friend, the blissful hiker, who has an infectious spirit and adventurous soul, lives her dream courageous. Listening to some of her many stories that are off the beaten track, inspires my heart of wanting to discover where are these unique and special places. The trails of her adventures have taken her around the world. In 2018, she hiked the whole distance of New Zealand on the Te Araroa, and then in 2019 she trekked the Pacific Crest Trail from Washington through Oregon and finishing up California.
   The blissful hiker is also known as Alison Young, I can her the all amazing Al! She is truly one of the most amazing and remarkable people I have the pleasure to call my friend. Her pod-casts, called the Pee Rag, chronicles her adventures upon the Te Araroa. You will find her podcasts captivating, humorous, and inspiring. All in all, full of adventure. Al has tremendous wit and is a brilliant walker or hiker of the world. In the Pee Rag podcasts, she brings you along on the many trails that she has trekked, the sounds and harmony of the beauty that makes the Te Araroa so amazing and special.
   The Pee Rag series has inspired me to grab my camera, trail shoes, and backpack so I can capture the beauty and harmony of the trails that I love so much and to be able to discover new ones as well.
   The Pee Rag podcast series will inspire adventure and awaken your own curious spirit to grab a pair of hiking boots or trail shoes, with a backpack in toe and trekking poles, so you can plan your next adventure or find beauty on your own trails, where ever they make take you.
   Happy Trails, ‘til we meet again.

   1. thank you, Court! It is my fondest wish to inspire and it makes me so happy you’re pursuing your photography!! ♥️♥️♥️

3. A very good question. I remember many years ago two friends and I were doing an 80km ultra, the Calderdale, in the Pennines of Yorkshire. It was a very warm day, we were running hard but were nowhere near winning. As we ran past a very inviting reservoir Graham suggested a stop for a swim. I was shocked to the core – I had not trained all year to splash about in water and lose time. I have since moved on. All that training allows me not only to run hard but also to have the strength to hike so that I do not feel too tired to stop and enjoy a view, and yes, dive in the water! I enjoy both, I think that there is room for both. The Western States 100 and other responsibly organized ultras limit the number of entrants so as to limit the impact on the trails.

4. I can visualise and feel sadness for the dying trees as you start this section – the same as seeing the devastation being caused on the pine forest in the Colorado Mountains. You are teaching us to keep our eyes open and marvel at the fauna around us. As a fell runner all one saw were a few steps ahead but the mud over here is just a you describe. Marvellous:)

   1. I don’t think anyone would run this forest!! My friend sent this piece this morning. I have mixed feelings on running through gorgeous places. What are your thoughts, TT, as a former Western States runner? https://onwardwmn.com/2020/06/24/establishing-a-superior-hiking-trail-fkt-with-western-states-cancelled-brittany-peterson-and-cody-lind-set-their-sites-on-a-new-goal/?fbclid=IwAR0raEYa4Y5nIf2L4SSxYJRv5mLaJVIb5fntYCDXVd5HnS1kTWQgX015t0M