Alison Young

Alison Young is a professional speaker, writer and host of Blissful Hiker™ Podcast, which has over 90,000 downloads. She has blissfully walked 12,000 miles on six continents and brings her extensive artistic training communication skills, lessons from the trail, as well as research-based practices, tools, and technique to challenge, inspire and teach audiences to be creative and more effective.

Posts

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
Meet Old Lady on the Trail: 81-Year-Old Triple Crowner Mary E. Davison

Meet Old Lady on the Trail: 81-Year-Old Triple Crowner Mary E. Davison

Mary E. Davison — trail name "Medicare Pastor" — is the Old Lady on the Trail, and she's proud of it. A retired pastor and grandmother of ten, she

Feb 9, 2023 : Alison Young
Kora Yushu LS Zip Yak Wool Base Layer Review

Kora Yushu LS Zip Yak Wool Base Layer Review

It’s tricky to find just the right base layer for winter sports in Northern Minnesota. As someone who cross-country skis and snowshoes, I’m sweating

Jan 25, 2023 : Alison Young
Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket Review

Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket Review

This summer, I walked the Wind River High Route with The Trek editor, Kelly Floro, and another gal friend. On cold mornings, as we popped out of damp

Dec 1, 2022 : Alison Young
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 1L Fanny Pack Review

Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 1L Fanny Pack Review

I used to be one of those snobby backpackers who swore up and down I'd never use a fanny pack. I have enough side pockets on my hip belt, I told

Nov 25, 2022 : Alison Young
5 Amazing Backpacking Trips in the Upper Great Lakes

5 Amazing Backpacking Trips in the Upper Great Lakes

Since moving to the Twin Cities 15 years ago, I have come to love the special ruggedness of the Upper Great Lakes region, a place we call “Up North.”

Oct 27, 2022 : Alison Young
Steve McClure on Backcountry Safety and Updating the 10 Essentials

Steve McClure on Backcountry Safety and Updating the 10 Essentials

Have you ever set out on a beautiful sunny day that turned into a wet misery halfway through? Did a snowstorm suddenly change course and dump right

Aug 4, 2022 : Alison Young
The Superior Hiking Trail Section-by-Section

The Superior Hiking Trail Section-by-Section

If you thought the Midwest of the United States was just flat and boring and that Minnesota specifically can be filed under “flyover country,” think

Jul 28, 2022 : Alison Young