Today was the inaugural group hike for the Women Who Hike - North Carolina branch! Women Who Hike is a phenomenal nation-wide group that promotes community among women hikers and works to empower women in outdoor spaces. You can find more information about them HERE. 

The 'women-only' model, in my opinion, is key in fostering confidence and camaraderie among women, especially in the outdoors - a place that can seem dangerous and scary for anyone not familiar. Shelma Jun (founder of Flash Foxy - a women's climbing community) does a great job addressing the importance of  Women's centered events in the Enormocast podcast episode "A Better Way" (Episode 136) Listen Here. I'd love to hear your take on Women's centered events! Please share your experience in the comments below!

Today our group hiked in Roan Mountain Recreation Area. The hike was a moderate 5-mile hike linking three balds - Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald. The trail follows along the Appalachian Trail for a majority of the five miles. This recreation area is located on the North Carolina and Tennessee border offering magnificent views of the blue ridge mountains in both states during the hike.

Unfortunately our weather was less than ideal for 360 degree views. Despite the fog and drizzle we were offered a few expansive views along the North Carolina side of the trail. Everyone came out to hike, were good sports (dogs included) and were not at all deterred by the poor weather. Part of our love of the outdoors is appreciating Mother Nature in all her forms. It can be eery and serene hiking in the mountains with fog lowering around you and your visibility diminished to yards instead of miles. It almost feels blasphemous to raise your voice and break the silence in these moments. 

My goal is to organize at least one group hike each month, of varying difficulty in various areas of the state. Some of the Women on the hike today expressed interest in overnight events as well!  If you are interested in this type of event the Women Who Hike group has a Facebook group for each state - please consider joining! If you are living in North Carolina or the surrounding states, please check the Events! page for upcoming hikes with the group and consider joining the Facebook Group!

For more photos visit the Instagram Page and check out @OhferQ for the canine take on it all ;).