#02 | "What's in your Pack?" ft. Alan Dixon & Kelly Floro

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Alan Dixon, an outdoor guide and competitive athlete, and Kelly Floro, lead writer and content editor for The Trek. An elite kayaker and triathlon competitor, Alan grew up in California hiking Yosemite and the Sierra Nevadas. Alan has been backpacking since he was 5 years old, and helped found the ultralight backpacking movement in the early 2000’s. Kelly Floro’s first thru-hike, and basically first backpacking trip ever, was her 2016 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Since then, she’s become an accomplished adventurer and the lead writer for The Trek.

Blissful Hiker covers how to straddle the line between ultralight and luxurious hiking, how to feel you have “permission” to take whatever you need, and gives the 411 about testing gear before going on a long hike with it.

Interview with Alan Dixon

3:15 - How did you get your start?

4:05 - How did you get into ultralight?

6:05 - Can you share what’s in your backpack that’s what you call “practical ultralight”?

6:48 - Why do you always bring a two-person tent?

7:55 - What about your pack? Do you use a frame or frameless?

9:00 - I find it interesting that it’s possible to make all these decisions to change your food, or pack in order to make your goal pack weight.

9:30 - For your sleep system, you recommended using a woman’s style sleep pad. Why?

10:10 - I’ve heard of ultralight backpackers even using bubble wrap as a sleeping pad - your set up seems like luxury.

11:30 - I hear you talking a lot about speed and hiking people into the dust. Do you really think you need to go fast?

12:58 - Alan is not a “gram weenie”; but lets a few