Two States to Go on the Appalachian Trail: Grizel Williams

Grizel Williams is a fast hiker on a crowded Appalachian Trail, just two states away from finishing. We talk life on the trail: sexism, craving loneliness, periods, food, switchbacks, and more. Grizel helps us get a feel of what the trail is like when you're in the everyday of it, and she also shares how the many people on the trail complicate her hike.

Featured in this episode: Grizel Williams

Hosted by Gale Straub

Sponsored by Merrell

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In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Grizel wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail with her dog, Rue (and why she decided to let her go home halfway through)
• The differences Grizel has noticed between the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT)
• Why Grizel chose to face her loneliness on the PCT
• How sexism and harassment has been a challenge for Grizel on the AT
• What a typical day is like for a thru hiker
• Why periods aren't fun (on or off the trail)
• How Grizel experiences freedom from her own body criticism on trail
• The ways in which the AT has challenged her to speak up for herself
• Why a crowded trail isn't necessarily a safe trail
• Why Grizel loves the simplicity of the trail

Resources

• Grizel Williams: Instagram and Website
• Grizel's Vlog Series
• As Far as the Eye Can See by David Brill

Sponsor Websites and Codes

• Merrell: Learn more by visiting Merrell.com

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Music is by Lee Rosevere, Meydan, and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

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