September 2021: A Note From Diane

It's also a great time to dump out your backpack and be sure you're ready for the challenges of the new season.

Was that a hint?

Why, yes, yes it was.

This month, let's focus on some organizations and people who are inspiring us to get outdoors more and help us appreciate what's around us.

NEW TRAIL THROUGH OREGON COAST RANGE

It winds along roads and even a short segment of highway, so be sure to study its entire length if you're looking for more of a backcountry type of backpacking experience.

C2C Trail Details

CELEBRATE AN AMAZING WOMAN

She begins the video with this line: "“Is this what you call a midlife crisis?”

Her authenticity continues to shine throughout the video, with quotes like these that made me smile:

“Solitude reveals what a mirror cannot.”

“Not everything of value can be measured numerically.”

It’s 45 minutes long, so dip in and out as she chats about her intention to savor her experiences on the longest trail in the world - Tran's Canada Trail (now The Great Trail).

It took her 6 years and one month as she hiked, snowshoed, biked, paddled...

500 Days YouTube Video

INCLUSIVE SIZING STUDY

Sizing in outdoor brands (well known or not) rarely goes above a men’s or women’s XL, says a new study by outdoor e-commerce brand Cairn.

How do they know? They analyzed 70,000 customer data points. They found that gear companies continue to offer apparel sizes lower than what consumers want and need to hit the trail in comfort.

That’s not really NEW news, women have been saying this all along. You should read some of the despairing emails I receive each month :/

But maybe it will grab the attention of more brands, and they will get to work on making inclusive sizing the norm, not the exception, for hikers.

Free pdf of study summary

And you might want to check out these 2 brands that are offering plus sizes for hikers.

I have no affiliation or experience with them, as they are relative newcomers on the hiking scene. If you purchase from them, please let me know what you think.

Alpine Parrot

Ottomatic Threads

JUST FOR FUN

So it's a treat to watch a pair of owls bring some new life into the world, and to admire their dedication in the lengthy process of hatching and raising the owlets.

This 4 minute video is a compilation from "nest cam" footage taken last spring by Wild Birds Unlimited. I hope it makes you smile, too.

Barn Owls

HIKING 17,000 MILES!!

Sonya Richmond and Sean Morton began their odyssey on June 21, 2019 and aren't done yet with the Trans Canada Trail!

They are using the iNaturalist app to record their observations as they hike.

17000 Miles

Did you realize that the observations you make along the trail on every hike can help scientists with mapping, monitoring and identification? Think of the mushrooms, trees, wildlife and more that you see on a hike, that no one else may ever see.

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist? Here's the link to the organization that can make it happen: SciStarter Organization

SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL ASSOCIATION

RECREATION EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE

Scientists Jeremy S. Dertien, Courtney L. Larson, and Sarah E. Reed reviewed 38 years of data on the effect of recreation on wildlife in an attempt to identify effect thresholds (the point at which you can measure behavioral or physiological changes in wildlife).

Their findings:

Threshold distances (how close people such as hikers had to get to disturb normal patterns) for wading and perching (passerine) birds were generally less than 100 m (328 feet), but greater than 400 m (1,312 feet) for hawks and eagles.

Mammal threshold distances were 50 m (164 feet) for small rodents and up to 1,000 m (3,280 feet) for large ungulates (hoofed mammals).

Interesting stuff to think about on your next hike!

Nature Conservation article

THANK YOU!

We are not going to call it chore avoidance, agreed?

As a result of many excellent suggestions, I'm working on pulling together tips and resources for setting hiking goals for the new year, hiking with wide feet, and a few surprises.

Stay tuned for their release in next month's newsletter.

Is this you?

That is not okay. I have heard from several folks about this, and to address this obnoxious problem I have changed how I receive invitation requests.

If you have requested one - but never got it- please hit reply and I’ll send one to you ASAP.

I truly apologize if you’ve felt left out of the loop. I assure you it was not on purpose. Thanks to those who have let me know there was a problem.

If you're just now thinking about requesting an invitation, use the link below for more information.

Happy Equinox to you!

And Happy Trails to you, each and every hike,

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

Please consider this invitation:

Did you receive this newsletter from a friend?

Stop by these HFH pages for a little hiking inspiration! Likes, comments and shares are always appreciated.

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!