7 Reasons Why Women Make Great Backpacking Leaders on the Trail
I am SO damn proud to be a woman. Are you?
And one thing I’m passionate about as a backpacking educator (one who didn’t grow up in the outdoors, for that matter) is being an example of what’s possible to other “everyday” didn’t-grow-up-outdoorsy women like me.
It’s what inspired me to create my coaching program, Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass, where we teach you the A-Z of everything you need to know about becoming a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker - no matter where you’re starting from or what experience you currently have in the outdoors.
Because I want YOU to be like, “Damn! If she did it. I can do it too.”
That FUELS me
Another thing I’m super passionate about… Helping women realize that they will make badass leaders in the outdoors, and by stepping into that leadership role, they can blow their mind on what’s possible for their life (on the trail and otherwise).
And that’s what we’re going to talk about a little bit in this post today: Why WOMEN make great backpacking leaders on the trail.
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WHY YOU SHOULD STRIVE TO BE A LEADER
Stepping into a leadership role marks a huge shift in your backpacking journey. Here are some of the biggest benefits of becoming a leader:
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR FUTURE
When you are a confident leader, you take control of achieving your dreams and goals. You don’t need to depend on someone else to hit the trail because you can organize a group – or go solo!.
According to Backpacker Magazine, "Backpackers who describe themselves as leaders are three times as likely to have taken more than four backpacking trips in the past year. Non-leaders, meanwhile, are three times as likely to have taken zero trips.”
That’s exactly why I believe that as soon as you can, you should turn your desire to go backpacking into a desire to LEAD your own trips backpacking.
OWN YOUR SAFETY
No matter how well you prepare, sometimes things happen that you didn’t expect on a backpacking trip. Maybe you lose the trail or get separated from your group. Maybe a thunderstorm rolls and you find yourself backpacking in the rain even though the forecast was clear.
When you’re a leader, you’ll always have your own back in the backcountry when things go awry. While you can consult and collaborate with other members of your group to decide how to handle the situation, you won’t be completely dependent on someone else to figure it out.
CREATE YOUR COMMUNITY
If you’ve been dreaming of a group of badass backpacking friends, you can find these awesome people by taking the lead. Leadership energy attracts the community you’re craving. People will be drawn to your confidence and ability to make amazing adventures happen.
ARE YOU READY TO BECOME A LEADER ON THE TRAIL?
Find your backpacking community and learn the skills and mindset to feel confident and self-sufficient on the trail in our Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass program!
Enrollment opens soon - join the waitlist here
7 REASONS WHY WOMEN MAKE GREAT BACKPACKING LEADERS ON THE TRAIL
There are SO many reasons all women should show up and take up space as leaders on the trail! Here are 7 reasons why women make GREAT leaders in the backcountry.
1. WOMEN ARE RESILIENT
Women are used to fighting against the odds and proving people wrong, and this makes women resilient. Resiliency is one of the most important qualities in a backpacking leader, because you will always run into obstacles on the trail.
Whether it’s a tough steep section where you need to motivate your friends or conditions that aren’t what you expected that you need to figure out how to handle, something will challenge you on your adventure. Being resilient, which women have often had to be their whole lives, will help you summon the strength you need to keep calm and carry on.
2. WOMEN ARE EXCELLENT COMMUNICATORS
Women often possess a knack for engaging the collective, an openness to diverse opinions, and emotional awareness & empathy which enables them to be approachable and effective group leaders. I’ve often found there is simply more communication among groups of women in the backcountry. This willingness to talk things through and listen to others creates a safe space for people to voice their opinions and especially their concerns.
One of the She Dreams of Alpine team took an all-women’s Wilderness First Responder course, and it was incredible to see the communication in handling the staged emergency scenarios. One of the instructors, who had been part of a number of similar courses, specifically noted how much better the communication was among the women than in the co-ed groups.
3. WOMEN CHECK THEIR EGOS
When you’re backpacking, it isn’t always about being the fastest, going the farthest, or even reaching the summit. But the ego’s obsession to achieve can often get in the way of making decisions for the greater good of the group.
In my experience, I’ve found women are more likely to put their egos aside for the good of the group. If someone in the group is struggling, they will find a way to help instead of simply pushing forward. Women also can usually recognize when to encourage someone outside of their comfort zone and when someone has gone too far beyond their limits and needs a break.
4. WOMEN CAN MAKE THE TOUGH CALLS
Going hand-in-hand with setting aside their ego, women tend to have the ability to tap into their own intuition and gut feeling to quickly make those tough safety calls in the outdoors. Summit fever can lead to bad decisions, but women are often more willing to turn around and try another day if something doesn’t feel right.
WANT TO LEARN HOW TO STAY SAFE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY?
In our Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass program, you will learn how to confidently go on your first ever (or perhaps your first solo) outdoor backpacking trip without the constant fear of getting lost, the crippling worry of being unprepared, and the lurking feeling that you lack the "know-how" and skills required to stay safe on the trails.
Join the waitlist for the Backpacking Badass program right here
5. WOMEN ARE VERSATILE
Mom. Daughter. Friend. Business Owner. Breadwinner. Advocate. Badass on the Trail. Women can be all these things and more, and this versatility serves us well as leaders.
Women can take the lead when necessary, and let others step up and shine, too. And taking on so many different roles leads to empathy and understanding, which is crucial when things get tough on the trail.
6. WOMEN BRING OTHERS ALONG
Whether it’s setting an example for kiddos or bringing a bestie along for the ride, women tend to naturally lift up the community around them. While women leaders can and often do go backpacking solo, they also know the value of sharing their experiences in the outdoors with the people they care about.
Women who are leaders in the backcountry inspire other women to realize the outdoors is for them, and they can do this, too! Women can also spread the love of hiking, camping, and backpacking with their children.
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So that you can hit the trails with peace of mind knowing that you didn’t leave anything essential behind!
7. WOMEN DREAM BIG
Women have a hunger to do big things, and leaders dream big. Tell us there’s something we can’t do, and we’ll show you we can.
From epic solo 14er summits to family free camping adventures, women will take the small steps to achieve their big goals. While life might present challenges along the way, women outdoor leaders take it in stride as they prioritize their dreams and turn them into reality.
DO YOU HAVE BIG DREAMS TO BE AN OUTDOOR LEADER?
Our Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass program will give you the skills and confidence to harness your natural leadership qualities and hit the trail!
Click here to learn more & join the waitlist
LOOKING FOR MORE OUTDOOR RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS?
Up your outdoor adventure game to become a leader on the trail with these helpful posts:
3 Lesser-Known Benefits of Prioritizing Outdoor Activities and Outdoor Adventure in Your Life
11 Lesser Known Rules to Learn for Your First Time Backpacking
Backpacking for Beginners: 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking
9 Must-Know Backpacking Safety Tips - Particularly if You Want to Go Solo
Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
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