Why We Got Started
We decided to start this blog after a TikTok video we posted went viral. That video, which you can view here, was a 30 second clip of our 4 night backpacking trip at Four Pass Loop near Aspen, CO. We created the video with the caption “The park ranger took one look at us and said we wouldn’t be able to handle it”, based on an encounter we had with a park ranger before we began our trip.
When we arrived in the Aspen area to start our trip, we headed straight to the trailhead to check out the beautiful Maroon Bells and try to catch backpackers finishing the loop. We hoped to get some information about trail conditions. It was June, early season for high alpine backpacking, and we knew that snow still existed along the route. After speaking to a few hikers who were finishing the trail, we headed to the local mountaineering store to pick up some crampons so that we would be prepared. On the way back to our campsite, we decided to stop at the ranger station to get an update on conditions before we set off. Due to Covid, this particular station was closed, but there was a male ranger outside willing to speak with us.
We asked about snowpack and trail conditions, and were immediately warned that the trail was “too dangerous without extensive winter gear” and that we “may not be able to handle it”. Now, we already knew from our previous encounter with hikers on the trail that it was passable and in decent condition. Without asking one question about the gear we brought, our level of backpacking experience, or our emergency plans, the ranger looked at us and assumed we were incapable of completing the route.
We are 23 year old women and we were traveling alone. Little did he know, we both have experience working as outdoor educators and backpacking trip leaders. We had the proper backpacking gear, snow gear, and emergency gear with us and had completed several backpacking trips in the weeks before the trip.
In this instance, our looks alone were used as justification for the park ranger to imply that we should not attempt the trail.
We knew we were prepared, so we attempted the trail anyways, and completed it in 4 days.
When we returned to Boulder and created the TikTok video, we had no idea it would garner so many views. We also didn’t anticipate so many comments. Reading the comments, we saw that many people just didn’t believe the story. Some comments were deleted to reduce conflict. But one particular comment caught my attention.
“welll to be fair you two do look like total noobs” -thecman1033
The video clearly shows that we were extremely prepared with the right food, gear, and navigation tools. So what would motivate thecman1033 to make this comment? The same thing that has motivated several other comments sprinkled around all of our videos: a general perception that women are somehow naturally less equipped to handle the challenges and safety risks that come along with many outdoor adventures.
The outdoor community should incorporate everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, body type, or fitness level. Yet as outdoor educators and members of the community, we often see an elite side of outdoor culture that creates barriers to entry for many women-identifying people who want to get involved.
On this site, we hope to give you the information and the community you need to get out there- whether that means conquering a week long backpacking trip, jumping on a mountain bike for the first time, or getting out to explore your local trails safely. We can’t wait to connect with you- feel free to reach out via Instagram, TikTok, or the “get involved” button at the bottom right of this page.
Happy Trails!