The Spirit of the Trail with Author and Thru-Hiker Shayla “Kiddo” Paradeis

Join REI for an evening of awe and introspection with author and long-distance hiker Shayla “Kiddo” Paradeis, whose footsteps have carved stories across four of the world’s most iconic trails: the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and New Zealand’s Te Araroa. In her book Footprint of a Heart, Shayla recounts over 18,000 miles of solo trekking through deserts, alpine ridges, estuaries, and valleys. Her journeys are filled with encounters both wild and whimsical: rattlesnakes, charging bulls, and one particularly angry mama turkey. But beyond the physical feats, Shayla explores the deeper terrain of human connection, solitude, and the healing power of nature. Through readings from her book and reflections on her path from Manhattan’s musical theater stages to Montana’s wildlands, Shayla invites us to consider what it means to truly be on a trail—not just walk it.