International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world. It’s a day to revel in the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women past, present, and future. For those who identify as women and enjoy the outdoors, it can be a day to find a community of other female-identifying people to enjoy it with. People of all walks of life are taking to the trails, rocks and rivers — because the outdoors are for everyone. Here is a list of programs and communities for female hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Unlikely Hikers
This Instagram community highlights and celebrates diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating hikers and members of the outdoor community. The common representation of “outdoorsy” has long been too narrow. Unlikely Hikers’ mission is to expand this representation by showing the world who we really are. They connect with other hikers through their podcast, on their Instagram account or at scheduled group hikes.
She Moves Mountains
This one is for the rock climbers. She Moves Mountians’ mission is to create a safe and educational space for women (cis, trans). It’s a place to realize and exercise their strength through outdoor retreats across the world. With a wide range of programs for beginner and advanced climbers alike, She Moves Mountains offers courses, retreats, and youth climbing camp. This is all focused on giving women the skills and tools to become confident rock climbers and guides.
Black Girls Trekkin
Based in LA county, Black Girls Trekkin (BGT) offers a safe space for black women and allies of black women to explore and connect in nature. The mission is to inspire and empower members to spend more time outdoors by hiking, climbing, or running. The goal for this group is to build a strong community while showing the world that women of color are an ever-present force in the outdoor community.
Hike Clerb
Another LA-based club, Hike Clerb, is a community for intersectional women’s hike club and non-profit. It’s inspired to take action by the lack of representation of people of color in the outdoor communities. They are equipping Black, Indigenous, women of color with the tools, resources, and experiences needed to collectively heal in nature. The group hosts frequent events in the greater LA area.
Women Who Hike
This community connects hikes from all over the world through scheduled group hikes, and local and regional Facebook groups where women can connect, meet up, and enjoy nature. The group began as a social media channel in 2015. Ithas since expanded into a worldwide community where women can connect in nature and out in the world.
PNW Outdoor Women Group
This group is an inclusive community of women from all backgrounds and outdoor skill levels. The Pacific NorthWest (PNW) Outdoor Women Group hosts clinics, meetups, and encourages a safe space for conversations between members. The group was founded to create space for local women to come together as they chase their outdoor dreams. With awareness of the barriers to enter the outdoor community with confidence, PNW Outdoor Women Group creates opportunities for all women to learn new outdoor skills, build lasting communities, and explore safely and confidently — together.
SheJumps
SheJumps is motivating women from all walks of life to step out of their comfort zone and into the wild. The group hosts events across the country with a range of outdoor activities like wilderness survival, mountaineering techniques, alpine school, river school, and much more. There’s an outdoor activity for everyone. All events are educational with the goal of helping members become confident and self-sufficient in the outdoors.
Backcountry Babes
Backcountry Babes’ mission is to inspire women to take on leadership roles in the outdoors and support women in gaining the skills to pursue outdoor adventures. They offer trips, courses, and certifications to help women of different abilities and age groups gain the skills and confidence to enjoy the backcountry in the spirit of camaraderie, supportive and non-competitive learning environments.
Iris Alpine
‘IRIS’ stands for Inclusive Rock Ice Ski and stands for creating a community for women, non-binary and trans climbers and skiers to have a safe place to learn and grow in the mountains. Iris Alpine was built upon the group ‘Chicks Climbing and Skiing’ established in 1999. Guide and climber, Kim Reynolds, started ‘Chicks with Picks’ after a day ice climbing in the Ouray Ice Park, CO and seeing very few women. The initiative and mission was to create a welcoming and empowering environment for women to feel inspired among a community.
Article by Christin Workman
Christin (she/her) is a writer and outdoor enthusiast. She’s a backpacker, hiker, ‘baby’ climber and a stop-and-smell-the-wildflowers kind of adventurer. Christin lives in Colorado with her husband, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and a myriad of plants. When she’s not playing with words, she’s either out in backcountry, tending to the garden or practicing aerial arts.
