Hopefully you don't need a spoonful of sugar to make it go down. Although a steaming mug of hot chocolate doesn't sound too bad right now.

This month, I serve up some hard truths, a new giveaway (your choice between 2 ways to keep your neck and ears warm), some unique backpacks, a few things to read just for fun, a question about trail etiquette, and my favorite hiking gifts that don't cost a fortune but will delight your trail buddies*.

Let's begin.

*But first, remember, you are your best trail buddy, and therefore worthy of delight.

HIKING FOR HER MONTHLY TIP

Have you noticed how your search results have changed radically over the past year?

So have I. Seems like I'm getting AI summaries that may/may not make sense and have no sources. Or listicles ("Top 10 Whatever") that are too vague and unhelpful but definitely have clickbait.

Wearing my independent blogger hat (i.e. no sponsors or ads), I’ve seen an even uglier truth: search engines have blocked access to my content in various ways since October 2023.

I'm talking about algorithm changes that label my content "unhelpful", serving up my answers & images to search queries without sending you to my website, AI summarized results that pull from every hiking blog under the sun without attribution, to name just a few.

Taken together, this means it’s challenging to be Hiking For Her in a sea of hiking “advice”.

Did you know that Hiking For Her has been sponsor-free and ad-free since 2008? Yup, I'm an old timer. And I continue to generate all my own content, including photos, the hard way: by hiking.

And I'm going to keep at it, even in the face of these stiff headwinds. Because I want to help other hikers, plain and simple. Which brings me to this month's tip.

Many folks have asked what they can do to help keep HFH alive/thriving. Here's my 4 part answer.

First of all, thanks for reading this newsletter. It’s my pleasure to pull together the latest hiking news and updates for you each month. It means a lot to get a word of encouragement, or a picture of you on the trail. More than a lot, actually. It means everything to me!

Another avenue of support is to visit my website frequently to find a topic you’re interested in (use the search box). Then spend some time reading it. Investigate the links to other articles. This sends strong signals to the search engines that you value what I’m sharing because you don't click away instantly.

You can also enjoy and search my Pinterest boards, or save my pins to your own boards. This tells Pinterest (without search engine interference) that I’m providing something valuable to you. Most of my articles have a pinnable image to make it easy. Or get started with my Pinterest link at the end of this newsletter.

One more way, and I know it's a big ask, is to make your outdoor purchases using my affiliate links. It costs you zero, but helps generate my web hosting and production fees. For example, my 2024 hiking gift suggestions (link below in the Giveaway section) uses both REI Co-op and Amazon affiliate links. I only share with you what I use myself, or see other trusted hikers using during my hiking trips and adventures.

Okay, that was maybe TMI but I want you to know what's going on and how it may affect Hiking For Her in the future. There's an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this newsletter if you'd like to part ways.

Or you can take a look at the fun stuff this month!

Either way, thanks for reading.

ADVENTURE, SCIENCE AND HIKING?

Learn how your hikes can contribute to scientific breakthroughs with Adventure Scientists. This article shares a great example!

Your hikes as contributions to science

INSPIRING FEMALE HIKER

“It was bad, my choices were walk away and leave the animal die, or attempt to free it”, she said later.

Here’s how it all went down.

Elk rescue by one lone woman

ADD THESE TO THE LIST OF BACKPACKS

First, the only fondue backpack I'm aware of (and it looks like a lot of fun):
Alps and one fondue backpack, please!

And now one to marvel at.

Researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Aberdeen are tracking hummingbirds in the Colombian Andes to learn more about their movements.

How?

They attach tiny backpacks with trackers to collect every high altitude movement, of course.

Note to self: Hummers weigh around 10 grams, while the transmitters weigh less than 500 milligrams (think Oreo cookie versus a TicTac). Talk about ultralight!!

Hummingbird backpack

WE SAY GOODBYE

The founder of the brand died recently.

What an interesting life, and great contributions to the sport of hiking!

JanSport's Murray McCory 2024

IS THIS OKAY?

But are we getting crankier on the trail, too?

Which brings us to this question: When is it ok to call out someone's trail etiquette (or lack thereof)?

This article is food for thought:

Bad trail etiquette and you

BEARS AND COUGARS AND...OH MY

HIKING FOR HER GIVEAWAY

This month, I will let the winner choose between two great ways to keep ears and neck warm: a Turtle Fur neck warmer, or an Icebreaker merino wool beanie.

Both are on my list of best hiking gifts for 2024 (all the stuff I use myself and know to be reliable and durable), which you can take a peek at here:

Gifts for hikers 2024

Then you can enter the giveaway by December 16, 2024 and if you're the winner, you pick one of these oh-so-useful, practical, but fun items to wear on your next hike.

Hiking For Her Giveaway Details

Being vulnerable is hard

I want to sign off with my sincere thanks for including Hiking For Her in your life.

Together, we will keep on hiking :)

Many Happy Trails,

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

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Hiking For Her

Some of the links in this newsletter and on the Hiking For Her website may be affiliate links.

What does this mean for you?

You create a small miracle when you buy hiking gear through those links, by allowing a modest percentage of your purchase price to flow into the HFH coffers.

What's so miraculous about that?

You receive great gear that has been trail tested and approved by a seasoned hiker. You pay nothing extra. AND you help keep the free hiking tips flowing to your virtual trail buddies around the globe.

Wow!

And a sincere Thank You for your vote of confidence in Hiking For Her. It means a lot!