Wild Women in Hiking- Rebecca Walsh, Founder of Hike Like a Woman

WILD WOMEN IN HIKING Meet Rebecca Walsh, Founder of Hike Like a Woman by Jaime Purinton

If there was one word I would use to describe Rebecca and what she has created with Hike Like a Woman, it would be community. Since day one of following the blog, podcast, social media, and even the book club I have felt like I was part of the HLAW community. Rebecca supports women getting outside in every way possible. She has supported me with Hike It Off including having me as a guest on her podcast, reviewing our clothes, and including me in their new book full of amazing outdoor women. I am so grateful for Rebecca and all the women that help her with HLAW.

Jaime: How did HLAW start? What was your inspiration?

Rebecca: HLAW started off as a simple blog where I'd just write about adventures I was having with my family. After a few months I quickly realized that my story wasn't the story I wanted to tell. I wanted to tell the story of other women out there pushing themselves, having adventures, and crushing their goals. So I opened up the platform to a group of Ambassadors, and started searching for stories to tell, I'm inspired by all the women out there sharing their stories.

Jaime: What is your best advice to women wanting to become active in the outdoors?

Rebecca: Just go. It's easy to make excuses and say things like, I don't have anyone to go with, I don't have the right gear, I don't know where to go, what if....It's time to stop making excuses and just go! Find a friend and tag along on an adventure, visit your local gear shop to learn what you need for your area, take a class, visit your State Park of Forest Service Visitors Center to learn where to go. Our mission at HLAW is to break down barriers to entry in the outdoors. There are simply too many things keeping us all indoors.

Jaime: What have you learned about yourself through all the stories you’ve shared through HLAW?

Rebecca: I'm a former Army officer so I grew up in this masculine world where I was tough not by choice but because I had to be tough, always strong, always brave. The past year has been the most difficult year that HLAW has had and I've had to dig deep to keep our organization alive. That takes grit, to make decisions that might not be popular but are necessary to preserve the integrity and longevity of HLAW. It's hard but I hope to always be gritty.

Jaime: Of all your guests, what is one story that sticks out the list for you? What did you learn from it?

Rebecca: I can't pick just one. The stories each woman shares are all unique and beautiful and wonderful just like them.

Jaime: Tell us about your business in Laramie, WY.

Rebecca: Two years ago I bought an outdoor retail store, I actually used to be a very competitive cross-country skier and bi-athlete and always wanted to have my own ski shop. So when the opportunity to buy the shop arose I knew I couldn't pass it up. I like to we're more than just a gear shop, We also offer guided backpacking trips in partnership with HLAW, outdoor education classes and workshops, outfitting services, and have an entire garage full of rentals with everything from skis to bear canisters. It's hard to juggle HLAW with Basecamp and I constantly feel like I'm never going to be able to cross anything off my to-do list but there's so much joy in teaching someone how to ski, taking someone backpacking for the first time or helping them get ready for an epic adventure. think that at Basecamp (my shop)

Jaime: What is your favorite hiking trail of all time?

Rebecca: Honestly I've been all around the world from South America to Scandanavia and the trails right here in my backyard are my favorite. Southeastern Wyoming is beautiful and I can go from the prairie to high alpine terrain and I love that diversity. Medicine Bow Peak is my favorite local hike though, come visit. I'll take you there!

Jaime: How has hiking changed your life? Has it healed anything inside of you?

Rebecca: I find any activity in nature to be comforting. In the winter that's skiing, in the summer that's hiking or paddle boarding or even just having a picnic dinner with my family. I struggle with feelings that I'm not good enough, not smart enough, not brave enough, not competent enough all the time and in nature all of those feelings of inadequacy go away. I can just be in the moment, I can breathe and stop thinking about all the things I'm "not".

Jaime: Do you have any hilarious/funny trail stories?

Rebecca: I think there's a lot of potty talk and potty humor on the trail which I always appreciate.

Jaime: What does Hike It Off mean to you?

Rebecca: It means that when you're on the trail nothing matters except the trail and what you're experiencing in the moment.

Jaime: Anything new on the horizon for HLAW or your business you’d like to share? Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

Rebecca: It's going to be a fun summer for HLAW, we're planning a backpacking workshop here in Wyoming in June and then I'll be guiding back pacing trips just about every weekend in July and August, the best part of my job is always these backpacking trips, retreats, and workshops where I get to meet our HLAW fans in person and spend time with them in the backcountry. all the things I'm "not."

Make sure to check out everything Hike Like a Woman, including the blog,podcast, live show shot every Tuesday, Facebook, and the book.

You can listen to Rebecca's podcast here:https://hikelikeawoman.net/podcast/

You can find the blog and links to the live show here:https://hikelikeawoman.net/

Get the book here:https://www.amazon.com/Hike-Like-Woman-Collection-Stories

Follow HLAW on Facebook here:https://www.facebook.com/hikelikeawoman/