Blake Dyson: The Gift of Trails — Building Community, Safety & Purpose on the Mountain

The Trail Chasers

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💭 “Trails connect us to wild spaces, to communities, and to ourselves.” — Blake Dyason

What does it really mean to give back to the places we run? To protect the paths that hold our best memories, our hardest moments, and the people we’ve met along the way?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Blake Dyason—a mountain rescuer, conservationist, and founder of Love Our Trails—for a conversation that goes far beyond running.

Blake has spent years building a movement around safety, stewardship, and community. From late-night rescues to alien tree clearing, he’s one of the people quietly keeping the trails safe, open, and alive for the rest of us.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why trail running isn’t just about pace—but about presence
✅ The one sentence that changed Blake’s life forever
✅ What to always carry on a trail run (it’s not just for you)
✅ How trail runners can reduce their impact and prevent damage
✅ The biggest safety mistakes runners make on the mountain
✅ Why “giving back” doesn’t have to mean money
✅ How to build a legacy on the trails—for the next generation

💬 Run long enough, and the mountain gives you something. This one’s about giving something back.

🎙 Trail Chasers Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
Gilnokie Socks 🧦 – gilnokie.com | Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
Boonies Sunglasses 🕶 – boonies.co.za | Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod to share what the trail has given you.