Shayla "Kiddo" Paradeis

I was given the trail name Kiddo on my first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Through I was 24-years old, a retired gentlemen saw me laughing in pigtails while holding maps at Neel’s Gap and scolded me for being too young to hike without an adult.

By age 34 I hiked five long distance treks (the Appalachian Trail twice, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Te Araroa, and Haute Route), as well as hundreds of journeys through Glacier National Park.

I am coming out of the woods for a while as a love activist, to share my adventures in the form of essays, poems, public speaking, songs, and a book or two. I’ve managed to make it all those miles without a smart phone, and to have lasting friendships and connections while refusing to send text messages.

Listen to an interview on Backpacker Radio https://thetrek.co/backpacker-radio-159-shayla-kiddo-paradeis-on-hiking-without-a-smartphone-and-healing-from-trauma/

Shayla’s biggest dream is to empower hikers. She is available for public speaking, book signings, and musical performances. Please contact her at shayla@atkiddo.com.