Adventures by Ali:Life as an Outdoorsy Woman

Lately, this idea has been forming in my head that I want to start an adventure blog. Cliché, I know. We’ve all seen the countless wanderlust Instagram accounts from the hipster “outdoors as a trend” crowd. Or the people who go on month-long expeditions into the deep backcountry of Patagonia or Iceland. People with time, sponsors and (apparently) no jobs – unless you’re lucky enough that being outside is your job.

But I’ve been a nature-lover my entire life, and I want a place to tell my story. So I’m going out on a limb and sharing my thoughts. I have a desk job, no travel van, no sponsors, and sometimes struggle to find time to spend outside. And for most of us, I think that perspective resonates.

And that’s only part of it. As a woman, I often feel left out of the outdoor industry. There’s a growing community of women sharing their outdoor experiences in digital format, and a movement to give more public recognition to outdoorsy gals doing badass things. But all too often, women are just supporting characters in the world of men. Race and socioeconomic status also play a huge factor, but that’s a larger topic than this little post has room for.

With this blog, my aim is to add to the voices speaking up for my fellow outdoorswomen. I’ve been underestimated. I’ve been paid attention to grudgingly, or outright ignored. I’ve struggled finding non-beginner gear that fits my small size (or isn’t pink). I know it can be hard, and I want to help encourage women who are interested in getting outside or are contending with their own outdoor-related difficulties. And let’s face it – being a woman is great, and being a woman outside is even better. There’s a lot we have to be grateful for that’s worth discussing.

And just as importantly, I want to show off the amazing planet we call home — a world which needs all the help it can get against current social and political threats. I have a passion for nature photography, and feel that it’s my duty to help bring natural places into view for those who can’t see them in person.

In future posts, I’m planning on sharing thoughts and photos of my adventures – most outdoor-related but probably some urban and travel as well. I’d like to discuss overcoming obstacles, both internal and external, while out in nature, and how being in nature can help us on an emotional level. I’d like to share my love of this planet, its inhabitants and the importance of protecting it, as well as the idea of finding adventure anywhere, not just in the wilderness. I’ll share some advice about how to have successful and safe outdoor experiences, and maybe talk about gear I like or don’t like. To tie it all together, I want to discuss these things through the lens of being a woman (but men, you’re welcome to read, too!).

Stay tuned.