Groups or activities for backpacking women?
Does anyone have any recommendations for groups or activities for outdoorsy women?
I’m a 40(ish) year old mom of two who loves backpacking and hiking. When I was in my 20s, I had a community of friends who were regularly available for weekend hikes and spontaneous backpacking trips. These days, not so much.
Now that everyone in my life is older with more responsibilities, I’ve struggled to find like minded women to regularly go backpacking with. I’ve made it out on a couple weekend trips with mom friends, and they have been wonderful. But it’s such a struggle to get schedules aligned, and I’m definitely more into it and make it more of a priority than other women in my life.
I’m not looking to break any records or go on grueling trips. I just want to get out on one or two night trips with 5-10 mile days a few times a year.
I already backpack and camp with my family (and other families) regularly. I’m not looking for more of that, but rather adult-only “getaway” trips.
Are there any groups out there that I could join to meet more women like me? Thanks!
Parent Replies
Join the Outdoor Adventure Club. I go backpacking with them. Or REI has trips but they are more expensive. Try Lost Coast Adventures for cheaper supported backpacking there.
You might want to consider a Sierra Club trip. They have a variety of options out there - including backpacking for a few days. I went on a llama assisted trek last year and rebuilt homes in Nepal this year. Lots of like minded women on their trips.
I have similar trouble, and getting my family into backpacking has been a slow, careful process =)
I've had good luck meeting people* on organized guided backpacking trips in the Sierra, such as those with AndrewSkurka.com, Sierra Club "outreach" trips ($25ish) and Sierra Club Snowcamping.org trips. While they cost money, the fixed dates and having someone take care of logistics make them easier to plan and stick to.
*However, even though some of the other participants on that trip say they are there to meet other backpackers, it seems quite rare for people to actually get together for another trip.
I have also considered creating a website that would allow people to plan a trip and find others who want to join. This website would include the timing, itinerary, and difficulty level of the trip. However, I am concerned about the uncertainty of whether participants will show up and whether everyone will be compatible.
Forgot to add in my other reply: the Cal group https://www.chaosberkeley.org/ has been recommended to me for exactly this sort of thing.
There is a Bay Area Women's Hiking group on MeetUp. Most events are hikes local to the bay area but occassionaly they go on overnight hiking trips.