The Outdoors for Beginners
I was having a conversation the other day with a friend and she asked me how to get more “outdoorsy”, which confused me at the time. Because I have the privilege of living in Austin, Texas, I too frequently forget that people who live in big cities can’t just go on a two-mile hike on a Saturday morning. It is so important for us to get outside in whatever way that we can to disconnect from the world. So I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you get more comfortable with the outdoors and some ways to ease into it!
Source: AllTrails, Santa Fe
Start Close To Home
The perception of getting outside has shifted quite dramatically in recent years. You don’t need to take a three-week long road trip through Utah (though you should at some point) to enjoy the great outdoors. REI’s Hiking Project and AllTrails are great resources for finding parks and trails wherever you are. Both offer detailed maps, photos and reviews to keep you well informed.
Know Before You Go
Research and trip planning are essential to having a safe and enjoyable experience in the outdoors. There are several elements to consider such as weather, difficulty of terrain and experience level of the participants. The Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service provide some great resources for information including maps, safety tips and real-time data on conditions. You should plan trip activities that match the goals, skills and abilities of all who are involved. Wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.
Seek Out Alternative Destinations
Zion, Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone National Park are all great destinations that you should see in your lifetime but you don’t have to start there. National parks can be expensive, crowded and difficult to navigate if you’re new to the outdoors. Try some of the underrated and less crowded national parks like White Sands in New Mexico or Biscayne in Florida. Or consider visiting a state park like Pfeiffer Big Sur in California, Valley of Fire in Nevada or Rifle Falls in Colorado. One of my favorite parks in the world is a state park: Humboldt Redwoods.
Source: Fat Girls Hiking
Fight The Stigma
In can be hard to feel a sense of belonging if you feel like the outdoors isn’t for people “like” you. To quote Abigail Wise, digital managing editor for Outside magazine, "It's an industry that is historically filled with white bros.” On Instagram we very often see tiny white girls in the outdoors and that is not an accurate representation of everyone that goes outside. As a plus size gal and an avid hiker, I know that it can be hard to start, but knowing that people like you are out there doing badass outdoor things really helps. Check out Diversify Outdoors, Brown People Camping and Fat Girls Hiking to get inspired by a likeminded community - and hopefully get involved!
Leave No Trace
9 out of 10 people in the outdoors are uninformed about their impacts. Leave No Trace is a set of principles that many people follow (and everyone should) to minimize their impact on the environment when participating in any kind of outdoor recreation. The principles revolve around (1) preparing for your trip ahead of time, (2) traveling on durable surfaces, (3) disposing of waste properly, (4) leaving what you find, (5) minimizing campfire impact, (6) respecting wildlife and (7) being considerate of other visitors. Essentially you should do everything that you can to keep yourself safe, respect the environment and enjoy yourself.
Safe travels,
V.