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Water, sunglasses, lip balm, snacks, and first aid kit!
Indulgent Backpacking Item:
An inflatable pillow makes a huge difference for a good night's
sleep. That paired with melatonin and you'll sleep the whole
night!
Favorite Trail Snack:
I like bringing protein bars to keep me satiated, but love some
fruit snacks or gummy bears for my sweet tooth!
Favorite Hike Podcast/Playlist/Artist:
I don't typically listen to music on a hike, but love
alternative/indie/pop playlists for the drive to the trailhead!
I'm not great at creating my own playlists, so I'm usually
listening to my friends' Discover Weekly's or Release Radar's on
Spotify (haha).
Favorite Hiking Club & Communities:
I created a women's hiking group here in Colorado, called the
Colorado Hiking Girls! I've been able to meet some amazing women
through group hike meetups, post-hike brewery hangs, or dog walks.
Join us here!
Favorite Hikes:
My favorite beginner trail in my area is Chief Mountain near Idaho
Springs, Colorado. For beginner hikers or individuals new to
Colorado, it's a short hike with a little elevation gain and a
huge view payoff at the top!
Find the hike.
What does ‘outdoorsy' mean to you?
‘Outdoorsy' means loving the outdoors and spending time outside!
It doesn't matter to what extent you're doing any outdoor
activity, as long as you're enjoying your time out in nature.
Being ‘outdoorsy' can look different for everyone, whether you
enjoy hiking 20 mile days and sleeping on the ground, or prefer a
picnic in the park with friends instead.
How did you start backpacking? What was the most intimidating
thing about it?
I backpacked for the first time in the summer of 2022! I was most
intimidated by the fact that I had zero knowledge of backpacking,
yet I live in a state that is extremely outdoorsy. Many people I
knew had been backpacking countless times and I found myself
comparing myself to others' experiences.
Tell us about your favorite hiking experience to date.
My family had been wanting to visit Iceland for years, and we
finally were able to go in July of 2022. It was 7:30pm and we had
arrived at the trailhead with no one around, and hiked up to the
most Jurassic-looking, moss-covered canyon, filled with birds
nesting in the cliffs with the backdrop of a huge, 400-foot
waterfall. A second, tall waterfall flowed in the distance and we
spent so much time at the top, admiring the view, only making it
down a few hours later, with the midnight sun still shining. I'm
so grateful to have family members who love travel and adventure
as much as I do, so experiencing this other-worldly landscape with
them was such a special moment.
What advice do you have for women who are just getting into
outdoor adventures?
If you're feeling intimidated, remember that the outdoors doesn't
judge - don't be worried about not fitting in or not being enough,
because nature is a judgment free zone for everyone, and the most
important part is being safe, recreating responsibly, and having
fun!
Fears + the outdoors: what was your biggest fear and how did you
get over it?
Getting lost or stranded is a very real possibility! Saving my
trails offline, telling someone where I'm going, and sharing the
trail details with them so they know how long it should take me to
finish are important ways that stop me from worrying.
How do you prepare for a hike?
I always like to prepare the night before so I don't forget
anything. I'll set my hiking boots by the door, pre-fill my
hydration bladder and stick it in the fridge, pack a lot of snacks
(very important) and a lunch if necessary, and add any layers in
my backpack. I also check directions to get to the trailhead, save
the trail online, and find out if there are any fees or dog
restrictions.
