Get Ready for Your First Hike! 4 Women of Color Share Tips for Beginners
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Did hiking make your list of New Year’s Resolutions? If you are gently setting intentions for 2024 but aren’t sure how to get started, look no further.
On an uncommonly cold and rainy day in Tucson, Arizona, I was fortunate enough to speak with a handful of hikers who also identify as Black, Indigenous and Women of Color and they had a lot of advice for first-time hikers. I looked out my window to see gray clouds weaving through the Catalina Mountains, and I felt inspired to start planning my next hike!
Sydni Mullen
Sydni (@earth2sydni) is a Black hiker originally from the Central Valley region of California. She lives in Seattle, Washington.
Having grown up with an outdoorsy family, she's been hiking all her life. It was also the thing to do with friends, as it was free.
Within the hiking community, it can sometimes feel like there’s pressure to acquire high-priced gear and clothing, however, Sydni has a different approach. “Every community makes you feel like you need certain things,” she cautioned. “But sometimes, it’s about being resourceful and […] working with what you got.”
The outdoors is also a space where she does a lot of her best thinking. For Sydni, “It’s a space for me to think and process my thoughts; I find a lot of clarity.”
Although she grew up hiking with family and friends, she currently enjoys hiking solo. Even though solo hiking can feel intimidating, she doesn’t worry about personal safety. “It’s not more dangerous than walking down the street,” said Sydni. “I like to listen to music to scare off any animals or to let people know that I’m close by.”
Diyor Oro
Diyor Oro (@planetdiyor) is a Black hiker from Maryland. She's been hiking for 2-3 years and enjoys spending time in the mountains.
“How I got into it?” Diyor recalled. “I didn't know that what I was doing was hiking. I usually just said I was going for a walk. I always loved the view. I didn’t buy any gear. I literally just went outside and started walking.”
Her pre-hike checklist includes downloading a map from AllTrails, a subscription-based company that also offers trail reviews from users. Downloading the map ensures that she’ll always know where she’s going, even if she loses connection in the woods.
Her advice for her new hikers is to “Go outside as you are now.” Social media can sometimes create the expectation that we have to look or dress a certain way to identify as hikers. Diyor is using her social media to challenge that perception and to show up authentically. “Don’t worry about fancy gear, just go with what you have and start walking,” she advised. “Really, you can start however you are now.”
Jennifer Villamin
Jennifer at Pinnacles National Park in California. Photo by: hello@sojourntrekkr.com
Jennifer Villamin is a Filipina-American hiker from California, but she’s currently based in Austin, Texas. She's been hiking “since the late 90’s” and enjoys hand sewing backpacking bags for her new brand, Sojourn Trekkr.
“I just did it,” recalled Jennifer. “I felt like going hiking, looked up a hike, and I went. I don’t know what inspired me, it’s just something I decided to do.”
Her advice to new hikers is to just get started! “There’s an image that you need all this specialized gear, and knowledge,” she added. “A lot of people are scared to take the first step, but just do it and see what happens.”
Tremille Daguiar
Tremille at Horseshoe Bend in Arizona
Tremille is a Guyanese-American hiker who currently resides in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
She started hiking “accidentally” in 2014 while visiting a cousin in Virginia. All of a sudden she was in nature and it was green, lush, and therapeutic. Since then she’s been hiking on and off for almost 10 years, usually with her dog, Rue.
She also prefers the term “nature walk”. According to Tremille, “Unless I need my hiking sticks and hiking boots, it’s not a hike.”
Her advice for first-timers is to check weather, terrain, sunrise and sunset in advance, along with bathroom availability. She also recommends investing in a good pair of shoes.
“Don’t worry about fancy gear, just go with what you have and start walking.”
From speaking to Women of Color from the Pacific Northwest, to Florida, Maryland, and Texas, the consensus was clear:
Nature is accessible to all of us, regardless of what’s shown in the media.
It’s not always about hiking 6+ miles, gaining 1000 ft in elevation, or taking a selfie at the top of a mountain.
It’s really about immersing yourself in nature and feeling grounded.
I couldn’t help but notice the obviousness—that the closer we are to the Earth, the closer we are to feeling grounded. It’s ironic how people-made things can sometimes pull us away from that.
Tomorrow, I’m planning a 2-mile hike for myself and my dog. From listening to Sydni, Diyor, Jenn, and Tremille, I’m feeling inspired.
I’ll probably be the only Person of Color out there, but I’m sure nature has her own story to tell.
Here’s to just showing up. See you there.
After three years and 8,000 miles, Elsye “Chardonnay” Walker reached the summit of Mount Katahdin, becoming the first Black hiker of any gender to complete a Triple Crown.