🎻 Creativity, Courage & Kula Cloth: Finding Joy in the Wild with Anastasia Allison 🏔️✨
In this special milestone episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Anastasia Allison — founder of Kula Cloth, outdoor educator, former Washington State Park Ranger, professional violinist, and one half of The Musical Mountaineers. This conversation also marks a first for the podcast as our official video episode, now available on our YouTube channel alongside the audio release.
Anastasia shares her deeply personal journey into the outdoors, reflecting on how hiking became a refuge during childhood bullying and how a life-changing road trip through the western national parks set the trajectory for her career. From her years serving as a law enforcement ranger on the Olympic Peninsula to serenading campers with her violin, Anastasia reveals how creativity, curiosity, and connection shaped her unconventional path.
We dive into the unforgettable origin story of Kula Cloth — sparked by a memorable (and hilarious) Mount Baker mishap — and explore the fears, risks, and mindset shifts that led her to build one of the most recognizable pieces of Leave No Trace gear in the outdoor world. Anastasia also opens up about entrepreneurship, personal growth, and redefining confidence both on trail and in life.
The conversation expands into The Musical Mountaineers, her viral project blending mountaineering, classical music, and breathtaking summit performances, along with powerful reflections on backpacking confidence, outdoor hygiene, presence, joy, and her now-legendary daily dance experiment.
🎧 Equal parts inspiring, thought-provoking, and wildly entertaining, this episode is a celebration of creativity, courage, and finding joy in unexpected places.
Episode Links:
Anastasia on Instagram
The Musical Mountaineers on Instagram
Kula Cloth on Instagram
The Kula Diaries on Substack
Kula Cloth Website
Kula Cloth on YouTube
This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys
Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics
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