HIKE

gathering with like-minded hikers in a serene setting the perfect antidote.

The group meets for a monthly hike organized by Hansen, plus there are several other hiking options created by members.

“We hike all over the local area. I try to swap the monthly group hike to opposite ends of the area to make it easier to access for all – one month I may plan for Blackwater and the next Perdido. A few of the hikes we have done recently include Juniper Creek, the Three Mile bridge, UWF, Fort Pickens, Navy Point, Historic Blakely State, Burnt Grocery Creek, Bear Lake, Hurricane Lake, Krul Lake and sections of the Florida Trail.”

A Return To Her Roots

Kathleen Camp has hiking in her blood.

“As a kid, my dad would take me camping, hiking, kayaking and exploring,” Camp said. “Of course, as I grew older, I spent less time outdoors and focused on school and my career. When I had a child of my own and I introduced him to the outdoors, it rekindled the adventurer in me. I took my son out on little hikes on local urban trails. As he grew older, I wanted to do more, see more, experience more.”

So when Hansen launched Ladies Who Hike, Camp was all in.

“Being a part of Ladies Who Hike has been an absolute joy,” she said. “I am a part of a safe group of likeminded women who are physically active, vibrant, learning new things and skills, and up for exploring the outdoors. Being outdoors has been therapeutic and calming. I have made some lifelong friends while doing something I love and am passionate about.”

As a busy graphic designer, Camp has also joined a spin-off backpacking group, which means even more miles of exploration.

“It broadens the experience, affording me the opportunity to hike more miles in a day, explore a location of interest with different terrain, put my body and outdoor skills to the test, enjoy good company and get away from daily stressors and really relax,” Camp said. “We’ve seen such beautiful scenery – unique flora and fauna, waterfalls, rivers, creeks, lakes, trees, flowers, funny little fungi, natural bridges, moss covered boulders, vistas, mountains, canyons.”

The Elegance Of Roughing It

As pastry chef at The Grand Marlin, Ashley Connors relishes the renewal that escaping to nature offers –especially the longer outings.

“I stumbled across the Ladies Who Hike page on Facebook about a year ago. Since my family and friends aren’t really into hiking and camping, I wanted to find like-minded people to share the experience with. Another main reason I joined is for safety in numbers,” said Connors, who is now a moderator for the group, planning hikes and vetting new members.

Like other hikers, the group is pushing Connors to expand her horizons.

“It has really encouraged me to get out and explore new places I wouldn’t have normally. One of my favorite adventures with Ladies Who Hike is one of my first hikes I attended. It was an eight-mile, 16 miles round trip, backpacking trip with camping overnight. We hiked in all of our gear for the overnight stay at Red Rock in Munson. Now some of the same ladies from that trip will be joining me a year later on four upcoming hiking/ backpacking trips from Alabama to Georgia.”

Camp also looks forward to creating more nature memories.

“We’ve experienced chilly nights, cold and foggy mornings, hot and muggy afternoons, knee pain, aching backs, sore feet, critters making noises in the night, warm roaring fires, laughter, wonder, peace, fellowship and gratitude,” she said. “Each place we have visited together is different, but the joy is the same and magnified.”