Episode Details
Back to Episodes#210 | Lyla Harrod: Thru-Hiking while Trans, Sober, and Queer
Description
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Lyla Harrod. Lyla is is a sober, queer, transgender woman currently on the last leg of her triple crown and has accrued an absurd amount of trail miles in just the last 2.5 years. She swings by the studio in the midst of her CDT thru-hike to share her journey of coming out as trans, how that's interfaced with her many thru-hiking miles, establishing the FKT on the Bay Circuit Trail, her love affair with the Hayduke, setting the women's White Mountains Direttissima FKT, her hikes on the AZT, Florida Trail, and much more.
We wrap the show with some tips on scoring a walk-up permit at some of the most high-demand backcountry destinations, how we'd waste our money if we were billionaires, a very old guy centric stupid thing of the week, and the triple crown of failed candle scents.
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[divider]
Interview with Lyla Harrod
- Lyla's Instagram
- 7 Ways to Be "Trans Competent" on Trail by Lyla Harrod
- Trans hikers to follow this season
Time stamps & Questions
00:01:50 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon!
00:02:48 - Introducing Lyla
00:03:08 - What got you into backpacking?
00:04:41 - Tell us your trail name origin story
00:08:55 - What got you into thru-hiking?
00:10:20 - What was the AT like in 2021?
00:12:31 - What would you like to tell us about your background pre-transitioning?
00:19:10 - What was the reaction when you started to come out?
00:21:41 - Where did you get information from after you came out as trans?
00:23:47 - Did you ever fear you were wrong or would regret your decision?
00:24:58 - What was your mindset like before starting the AT?
00:26:53 - How did your on trail experience compare with your expectations?
00:28:35 - Did anyone use slurs at you?
00:32:00 - Did you experience a difference between hikers and people in towns?
00:33:41 - What are the most common things people get wrong?
00:35:45 - How do you interact with someone who has transphobic views?
00:37:09 - How often do people not believe you when you say you're trans?
00:38:28 - How do you handle always having to have a positive front and decompress?
00:41:33 - Do you have a general piece of advice you offer to people who reach out to you?
00:43:42 - If you had an FAQ page, what would the top questions on that page be?
00:47:47 - Are hormone medications difficult to manage on trail?
00:49:04 - Are there any other modifications you made that make hiking easier for you?
00:50:54 - Are