About the presentation

Lyla will discuss topics related to her life as a trans woman thru-hiker including: (1) The outdoors’ role in her sobriety and gender transition. (2) How being transgender impacted her experience on three long distance trails (AT, AZT and BCT). (3) The influence of American culture on how transness is viewed and treated by the outdoor community.

About the speaker

Lyla is a 34 year old sober, queer, transgender woman. As a thru-hiker, she logged 3,200 miles on the Appalachian Trail, Bay Circuit Trail and Arizona Trail in 2021. She plans to thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail in 2022.

With years of experience in community organizing and youth development, Lyla seeks to build community with other trans and gender non-conforming hikers. She tells her story publicly as a way of connecting with other trans folks, and as a way of connecting on a human level with people who are interested in learning about trans people’s experiences while deepening shared empathy and understanding.

About the series

In December of 2018, The Notch launched a new in-house lecture series featuring local and regional outdoor enthusiasts with a compelling story to tell.

We named this series “Fireside Chats” and our aim was to provide an intimate space (the Notch hostel living room) where community members can gather to hear inspiring mountain-based stories from the people who lived them.

The series has become so popular that we are now broadcasting the series virtually as well, so more people can attend than can fit in our living room. So make some popcorn, pull up our zoom link, and enjoy a presentation from our living room to yours!