Protected: Allyson’s Professional Portfolio
May 15, 2023
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It’s Only Fun Once You Accept It’s Difficult
August 31, 2021
July 12, 2021 My pilgrimage of 422,000 steps, marked with dots registered by satellites orbiting the earth, was a journey of self-discovery that began in Yosemite National Park and ended 30.4 miles short of the John Muir Trail’s final terminus, the apex of Mount Whitney. Having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail solo in 2015 over a … More It’s Only Fun Once You Accept It’s Difficult
Today I Almost Died
August 31, 2021
After a hiker’s dream breakfast full of carbs and protein at Red’s Meadow Resort, we started on trail at 8:20am. Hiking with companions for the first time, Bella (trail named Buggy) and Keeley (Bear), we chattered nonstop, openly and honestly about life, and the miles passed quickly as we became fast friends! With similar hiking … More Today I Almost Died
A Woman Alone in the Woods
April 10, 2021
When people learn I am a long-distance hiker, the most common question is, “You don’t hike alone, do you?” When I explain that I do, in fact, choose to hike solo, people begin rattling off the ingredients of a nightmare to argue their point that I should not wander the wilderness alone. The nightmarish concerns … More A Woman Alone in the Woods
The Why and the How of Hiking for a Cause
February 8, 2021
So you’ve decided to go on a hike? Awesome! It’s great for your body and soul to be active and live life to its fullest. Experiencing life at 2 miles per hour is a nice change of pace for our bodies and our minds. People will envy your adventure. They’ll want to follow your journey … More The Why and the How of Hiking for a Cause
Let the Training Begin!
January 23, 2021
On January 8, I received an email saying I had won the lottery…literally! I was one of the 2% who applied who was granted a southbound permit to hike the John Muir Trail! With 168 days to go, it’s time to start training! Want to increase your chances of success and enjoyment on a long-distance … More Let the Training Begin!
The Ups and Downs of the Appalachian Approach Trail
January 29, 2017
Are you debating on whether to start your NOBO thru-hike at the approach trail or at the southernmost white blaze on the summit of Springer Mountain? This age-old debate is one of the myriad questions potential thru-hikers have to answer during our massive planning stages. My name is Clarity, a 2015 Appalachian Trail flip-flop thru-hiker who took the … More The Ups and Downs of the Appalachian Approach Trail
Post trail feelings
August 1, 2016
Upon completing an adventure as elemental as a thru-hike of the 2,189 mile Appalachian Trail, much can change within oneself. My trail name is Clarity because the purpose of my pilgrimage was to find it. As one who worked multiple jobs for 15 years, life was always so muddled with fast-paced goings-on that true simplicity and jubilation were often hidden in a … More Post trail feelings
What Does an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Do?
June 2, 2016
The question of the day for the past 15 weeks has been, “Oh, you’re a ridgerunner? What does a ridgerunner do?” Well, besides running (usually not literally) across ridges of the Appalachian mountains, we willingly eat Knorr Pasta sides and Poptarts every single day. We live outdoors, rain or shine, snow or sizzle, all the … More What Does an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Do?
10 Items to Include in Every Day Pack
May 5, 2016
Early morning sunbeams are streaming through your curtains, illuminating the bedroom walls with morning’s soft glow and beckoning you to hop out of bed, take life by the reigns, and see something you’ve never seen before. Deciding that today is a good day to take a hike, you get ready to start checking off places on … More 10 Items to Include in Every Day Pack
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