On setting a new women's overall self-supported record on the AT

About the speaker • Lyla “Sugar” Harrod is a sober, queer, trans woman and professional thru-hiker. As the first known trans woman to complete the Triple Crown of long distance hiking, she has used her platform to advocate for queer and trans representation and equity in the outdoors. In 2024, Sugar pioneered the “Divide to Crest Route”, a 3,000 mile backcountry route from the Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Washington. She founded a free mentoring program for first-time queer and trans thru-hikers called “TrailQTs” in 2023.

About the presentation • This year, Lyla set a new women's self-supported speed record on the Appalachian Trail, breaking the previous record by over a day and a half. Lyla will talk us through her preparations for the effort and the FKT (Fastest Known Time) itself. She also will dive into how she handles the challenges and risks of being a trans woman athlete in the public eye. Lastly, Sugar will address some of the dangerous misinformation being used as justification to harass, abuse and strip trans people of their human rights.

This event is free; bring a dish to share at the potluck and a cash/Venmo donation for the speaker.

The sunrise hike • On Sunday morning, Lyla and Fireside Chat director Philip "Finding Philip" Carcia will hike Mount Moosilauke via the Gorge Brook Trail for sunrise. Anyone is welcome to join, however, the hike is unguided; participants must have prior experience hiking 4000’ers in winter and be prepared to hike solo if needed. Hiking start time from trailhead is TBD.

To attend

Doors open at 6 pm. Bring a meal if attending the potluck from 6-7 pm. The presentations run from 7:30 to 8:30 pm followed by Q&A 'til 9 pm. Arrive early; seating is limited. To attend:

1) Book a stay at the Notch on the night of the presentation, park in the main lot.*

OR

2) Show up anytime after the doors open to the public at 6pm. Bring a meal to share for the 6-7pm potluck dinner. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are NOT a guest at the Notch, you must park on Lost Valley Road (not Lost River Road!!!) behind the hostel's picket fence and walk through the backyard. In the event of a snowstorm, no street parking is allowed so members of the public may need to walk or shuttle in from town.

OR

3) Tune in via Instagram Live; we'll be streaming from our account @NotchHostel.

*Note: If our overnight accommodations fill up, please don't let that deter you from joining us for dinner and the presentation. These talks are open to the public. There are other local hostels like the Barn Door Hostel in Rumney, or the Coho Hostel over in Conway, that may still have space.