{"id":4530,"date":"2019-02-15T17:13:12","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T17:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intothewideopen.com\/?p=4530"},"modified":"2019-02-15T17:14:56","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T17:14:56","slug":"on-being-a-woman-in-the-woods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intothewideopen.com\/?p=4530","title":{"rendered":"On Being a Woman in the Woods"},"content":{"rendered":"<body><p><\/p>[Please note that this was originally posted on 2.14.19 <a href=\"https:\/\/hiawathahiking.com\/2019\/02\/15\/on-being-a-woman-in-the-woods\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">here.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Hiawatha Hiking Company is our new business!]\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4531\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.intothewideopen.com\/?attachment_id=4531\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575.jpg?fit=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,575\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;DSC-RX100M4&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1498467096&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;25.7&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.16666666666667&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024&amp;#215;575\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575.jpg?fit=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4531\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575-1024x575.jpg?resize=640%2C359&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.intothewideopen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/7091b16b-df19-413b-966a-df4118ba3e7a-1024x575.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/h4>\n<h2>Disbelief<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cIs this Highway 178?\u201d, I ask a 20-something year old guy who was getting water from a creek with his male hiking partner.<\/p>\n<p>He says to me, \u201cYou\u2019re hiking by yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I respond, \u201cYeah\u2026 I don\u2019t feel like getting out my map and was hoping you could tell me if this is Highway 178?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>It is March of 2017 and I am on the <span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intothewideopen.com\/?page_id=3070\">Foothills Trail<\/a><\/span>\u00a0in the Carolinas.\u00a0 This is my first solo backpacking trip.\u00a0 It is a 76-mile journey starting at Oconee State Park and ending at Table Rock State Park, traversing the highest point in South Carolina, serving up a severe thunderstorm my second night, and has me encountering concerned and incredulous hikers who are taken aback that I am alone.<\/p>\n<p>I end up getting out my map to confirm where we are (and also confirm there is a water source coming up that is not directly next to a road, not my favorite place to collect water).\u00a0 Small talk ensues after it has been confirmed that I am in fact female, alone, and have survived in the wilderness for more than a day.\u00a0 We talk about where we are headed for the night, how long we have been out on the trail, what we should expect terrain-wise.\u00a0 Typical hiker talk.<\/p>\n<p>When I thru-hiked the Superior Hiking Trail (completing the first 100 miles with Domonick and the remaining 160 miles solo), I camped with a group of middle-aged women who were very eager to hear my reasons for being out there.\u00a0 They were in shock and awe that I was by myself.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do it!!\u201d, one of them told me.<\/p>\n<p>I have to admit that at one point I was on the other side of the conversation, surprised to see solo female hikers.\u00a0 When Domonick and I were thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016 (Mexico to Canada: 2,600 miles), there were several women who were thru-hiking solo.\u00a0 I remember thinking, \u201cWow, they must be so brave!!\u201d.\u00a0 I never had that thought when men were by themselves (which was much more typical).\u00a0 Why is there a stigma of women in the woods?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3829\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3829\" style=\"width: 576px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3829\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hiawathahiking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/20170320_1330180-e1490191217814-576x1024-576x1024.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3829\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Me at the completion of the Foothills Trail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stigma<\/h2>\n<p>An article entitled, \u201cWomen and the Wild: Gender Socialization in Wilderness Recreation Advertising,\u201d by Mcneil, Harris, and Fondren, published in 2012 (see complete citation below) explores the under representation of women in the outdoors.\u00a0 The researchers explored the portrayal of women in advertisements found in two popular outdoor recreation magazines,\u00a0<em>Backpacker\u00a0<\/em>and <em>Outside<\/em>.\u00a0 They found that women were rarely depicted as being alone in the wilderness, had low<em>\u00a0<\/em>levels of engagement in wilderness activities, women\u2019s engagement in the outdoors were an \u201cescape\u201d from domestic activities, and women who were engaged in wilderness recreation are unique and required feminization.\u00a0 Upon reflecting on this, I realized I had never seen a visibly dirty woman with messy hair and sweat stains in an REI ad.\u00a0 Sweaty men climbing a mountain are much more acceptable.\u00a0 Women are squeaky clean, wearing overpriced yoga pants in a shala in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n<p>Women hesitate to engage in outdoor activities due to personal safety concerns, as discussed in an article by Johnson, Bowker, and Cordell (full citation below).\u00a0 The study by Mcneil et al. found women in the ads were typically accompanied by a man, a group, or a dog.\u00a0 Men were often portrayed as \u201csolitary explorers\u201d of the wilderness.\u00a0 When women were depicted as being alone in the woods, they were not far from civilization as lights could be seen in the distance.\u00a0 In a series of ads for the same company, men were depicted in more challenging activities such as rock climbing, and women were depicted in less challenging activities or passively posing.\u00a0 So even when women overcame their fears of the woods, they get themselves out there only to \u201crelax\u201d and not challenge themselves physically.<\/p>\n<p>Sheesh!\u00a0 It seems to me that outdoor marketing materials are simply reflecting what we are taught since birth.\u00a0 Women are clean, prim, homemakers.\u00a0 Men are burly, athletic, explorers.<\/p>\n<h2>Breaking the Barrier<\/h2>\n<p>With all this conditioning, how do we break free of gender stereotypes?\u00a0 We try our best to let go of preconceived notions of what we \u201cshould\u201d be doing and try something new!\u00a0 Perhaps you\u2019re a woman with zero interest in the outdoors.\u00a0 Perhaps that\u2019s because you haven\u2019t spent any time in the wilderness.\u00a0 Try it!\u00a0 And if you are like most women and are afraid to go out there yourself, take someone with you!\u00a0 Better yet, <span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000\" href=\"https:\/\/hiawathahiking.com\/backpacking-trips\/\">join me on one of Hiawatha Hiking Company\u2019s trips<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 I will be a guide on every single trip.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>I am also leading a trip for women only.\u00a0 It will be on Grand Island from September 21st-22nd! (use the above link in red to join)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Are you worried about getting dirty?\u00a0 Or your hair?\u00a0 It\u2019s OK!!\u00a0 The dirt will wash off, hats are good sun protection and hide your hair.\u00a0 Besides, we shouldn\u2019t let something so trivial prevent us from perhaps experiencing a life changing moment in the woods.\u00a0 In fact, I find my skin to be its clearest when I don\u2019t wash it, which is the opposite of everything I\u2019ve been taught since puberty.<\/p>\n<p>I met a woman who declined going on a wilderness excursion with the group Outward Bound as a teenager.\u00a0 She told me she was afraid of getting her period on the trip.\u00a0 This was a very real concern I had at the beginning of my jaunts into the woods.\u00a0 On the Pacific Crest Trail (a five month long trip), I knew that I wouldn\u2019t be able to avoid this as I had in the past.\u00a0 The days were ticking and I was getting nervous.\u00a0 Guess what?\u00a0 It was fine.\u00a0 Sure, it can be inconvenient, but it certainly wasn\u2019t as bad as I imagined.<\/p>\n<p>Even when I worked as a kayak guide over the summer, one of the women signing up for a trip decided against going on the all-day trip because she was on her period.\u00a0 She asked what the bathroom facilities would be and at the words \u201cpit-toilet\u201d, she stopped in her tracks and said she would be fine with the half-day tour.\u00a0 I imagine menstruation prevents women from doing many things.\u00a0 What a shame.\u00a0 Come prepared, get over your fears, and don\u2019t let a natural part of your body stop you.<\/p>\n<p>While I do sometimes get fearful when I\u2019m sleeping in the woods alone, my logical mind knows that I am safer out there than I am driving around town.\u00a0 I do carry a satellite SPOT device in case something happens (a crumbling rock face does not discriminate based on gender) and a lipstick sized pepper spray.\u00a0 I have never had to use either, but that bit of insurance makes me feel better in the face of all the conditioning I\u2019ve received that the woods are a scary place for a woman.\u00a0 Once I do get out there and challenge myself physically, I feel empowered, strong, and connected.\u00a0 Better connected to myself and my surroundings.<\/p>\n<h2>Returning to Roots<\/h2>\n<p>Mcneil et al. summarize that the ads studied \u201c\u2026paint women as consumers rather than conquerors of the wild.\u201d\u00a0 While I see their point, I disagree with their choice of wording.\u00a0 The wild is not meant to be \u201cconquered\u201d anymore than it is meant to be \u201cconsumed\u201d.\u00a0 We are meant to experience it, live it, BE in it.\u00a0 I am passionate about getting EVERYONE outside.\u00a0 Whether you\u2019re brand new to outdoor recreation or a seasoned veteran, I\u2019d be happy to share Michigan\u2019s best peninsula with you!\u00a0 Join me at the Pictured Rocks, Grand Island, Beaver Basin Wilderness, or the Hiawatha National Forest (all in the Munising-area).\u00a0 If you\u2019re not ready for an overnight trip, join me for a <a href=\"https:\/\/hiawathahiking.com\/day-hikes\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">day-hike<\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 Get over your fears, learn something new, meet new people, see something cool, and get outside!<\/p>\n<p>-Carolyn (Co-owner\/Operator\/Guide of <span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000\" href=\"https:\/\/hiawathahiking.com\/\">Hiawatha Hiking Company<\/a><\/span>)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3830\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3830\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3830\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hiawathahiking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ea026dda-4dfd-4b36-b1fa-d833760ed7a3-1-1024x576-1024x576.jpg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3830\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The rocky and rooty Long Trail of Vermont<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<p>Mcniel, J. &amp; A. Harris, D. &amp; Fondren, K. (2012). Women and the Wild: Gender Socialization in Wilderness Recreation Advertising. Gender Issues. 29. 10.1007\/s12147-012-9111-1.<\/p>\n<div class=\"t m0 x8 h4 y21 ff3 fs1 fc0 sc0 ls0 ws1\">Johnson, C., Bowker, J. M., &amp; Cordell, K. (2001). Outdoor recreation constraints: an<\/div>\n<div class=\"t m0 x5 h4 y7d ff3 fs1 fc0 sc0 ls0 ws1\">examination of race, gender, and rural dwelling. <span class=\"ff4\">Southern Rural Sociology,<\/span> <span class=\"ff4 ws0\">17,<\/span> 111-133.<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[Please note that this was originally posted on 2.14.19 here.\u00a0Hiawatha Hiking Company is our new business!] Disbelief \u201cIs this Highway 178?\u201d, I ask a 20-something year old guy who was getting water from a creek with his male hiking partner. He says to me, \u201cYou\u2019re hiking by yourself?\u201d I respond, \u201cYeah\u2026 I don\u2019t feel like [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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