Alison Young

Alison Young is a professional TEDx speaker, writer and host of award-winning Blissful Hiker™ Podcast, which has over 130,000 downloads. She has blissfully walked over 14,000 miles on six continents including Te Araroa, Pacific Crest Trail, Great Divide Trail, Pyrenean Haute Route, Torres del Paine Circuit, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Traverse and K2 Basecamp Trek.

Posts

Terra Ultralight Alpha Direct Hoodie Review

Terra Ultralight Alpha Direct Hoodie Review

The Terra UL Gear Alpha Direct Hoodie is a lightweight, breathable insulating layer featuring a balaclava-style hood. Designed to keep you warm on

Dec 7, 2025 : Alison Young
Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal Review

Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal Review

The Xero Shoes D-Trail Trail-to-Town Sandal is a versatile, minimalist sandal that works well in camp and on the trail. Despite being lightweight and

Apr 28, 2025 : Alison Young
Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp Review

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp Review

The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a compact, ergonomic, and waterproof headlamp with multiple settings, including white light to 400 lumens, red

Nov 5, 2024 : Alison Young
Not Bad for an Old Lady: Mary Davison on Evading Armed Cowboys, Hiking 12,000 Miles by Age 82, and Retiring From Long-Distance Hiking

Not Bad for an Old Lady: Mary Davison on Evading Armed Cowboys, Hiking 12,000 Miles by Age 82, and Retiring From Long-Distance Hiking

For  82-year-old Triple Crowner Mary E. Davison, long-distance trails are all about choice.  “You go down a trail, a bad trail, full of

Oct 16, 2024 : Alison Young
Outdoor Vitals Active Ventus Hoodie Review

Outdoor Vitals Active Ventus Hoodie Review

I reviewed the insulated Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket a few years back and have happily added this terrific bit of synthetic gear to my backpack. So I

Jun 18, 2024 : Alison Young
Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket Review

Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket Review

Ah, finding the perfect rain jackets for thru-hikers. All we really want is something that can keep us dry on the outside and the inside when we find

Jun 11, 2024 : Alison Young
Inov8 Trailfly review

Inov8 Trailfly review

At first glance, the Inov8 Trailfly appeared unlikely to hold up to the brutality of ten-hour days on rough terrain. But after over 600 total miles,

Jun 4, 2024 : Alison Young
Guide, Veteran, Mother, Cancer Survivor: Rebecca Walsh on How To Hike Like a Woman

Guide, Veteran, Mother, Cancer Survivor: Rebecca Walsh on How To Hike Like a Woman

When outdoor guide and army veteran Rebecca Walsh was in treatment for breast cancer two years ago, there was a moment when she was so weak, she

Mar 18, 2024 : Alison Young
The GR5 Grand Traverse of the Alps: A 400+ Mile Thru-Hike of the French Alps

The GR5 Grand Traverse of the Alps: A 400+ Mile Thru-Hike of the French Alps

The Grande Traversée des Alpes, or Grand Traverse of the Alps, is a 400+ mile alpine section of the GR5. Traveling along ancient trade routes from

Feb 21, 2024 : Alison Young
Pamela Clark Is On Track To Become the Oldest Female AT Thru-Hiker Ever

Pamela Clark Is On Track To Become the Oldest Female AT Thru-Hiker Ever

When Pamela Clark read Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, she was amused and curious. But she never imagined she would one day put her own feet on

Feb 28, 2023 : Alison Young