This blog is for all hikers, backpackers, and campers. Most of my subscribers are male and most comments I’ve received have been from men. Judging by the increased numbers of females on trails, I would have expected more readership and feedback from women. Every year I see more of the fair sex, and that’s a positive development for the hiking community.
Now and then, I see something referring to women hikers. Recently, it was Trail Dames at www.traildames.com. I don’t know much about this group or how active they are, but their site looks interesting. They have eleven chapters, all in the east except for a chapter in Michigan. I suspect this is because of the increasing popularity of women, young and old, hiking the Appalachian Trail. Trail Dames held their own conference this past June in Virginia.
Another blogger mentioned the Women’s Adventure Club of Centre County PA, which ran an Appalachian Hiking Series For Women this past summer. When I thru-hiked the A.T. some years ago, I remember how grateful I was to a young lady who had—all day—hauled my sack of soaked and dirty laundry I’d left at the shelter.
Of course, the big hiking news this year was Jennifer Pharr Davis, who now holds the speed record for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. She trimmed 26 hours off the previous record set by a man! Click above and you’ll see the stunning article from Men’s Journal. That she hiked the entire length of the A.T. in 46 days, 11 hours, and 26 minutes is incomprehensible to me. She’s been chosen as one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year.
Most of the women I see on trails are fit and tough. Welcome.
Related articles
- Trail Dames Presents “The Summit”, the Nation’s First Hiking and Backpacking Conference for Women (prweb.com)
- Adventurers of the Year 2012: Hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis (ngadventure.typepad.com)
Thanks for the info on Trail Dames. I am always looking for people to hike with because I don’t hike alone. Many times I can find someone up for a short day hike but very few takers for an overnight and most of my friends don’t hike. In fact they can’t believe I have actually taken up backpacking since I retired.
Glad I’m able to help, Debbie. Happy trails!
Hamlet,
Thanks for sharing the picture of Sparky and me. I remember it all as if it were yesterday. We had so many wonderful, strong women on the trail in 2003; Constant Motion, Chicken Legs, 1/3, Smoothie, Sonic and Guana, to name just a few.
For my 10 year anniversary of the hike…and my 60th birthday, I’ll be at Springer Mountain in March of 2013 and head north on the Appalachian Trail. Why don’t you join me?~Journey
Great to hear from you, Journey! I’ve thought about it. I’d love to, but a few other things will have to come together. Please stay in touch with your plans. Happy trails!
Hi Journey!!!! There were a TON of women on the AT in 2003!! Including me! And my friends Silver Lining, Hiker Biker Babe, Bumpkin, Pushing up Daisies to name a few….. 🙂 🙂 🙂
As for Trail Dames….the reason we are mostly the East coast right now is that I started the group in response to my season on the AT. And since I live in GA, it has grown from there. 🙂 For more about the Dames, check out the next issue of the ATC magazine…they are doing an article about us. In the meantime, Ray, it is so great to find your blog! I will share it with the Dames and see if we can’t get you some more readers of the ‘fairer sex’ 🙂 🙂 🙂
Anna aka Mud Butt
Thank you, Anna. I’m also glad you found me. I subscribe to ATC and will be on the lookout for Trail Dames. I wish your organization every success.
Nice blog. I’m going on a hiking trip in Puerto Montt next Summer.
Happy trails!