In a world where many of us spend a great deal of time indoors and (sigh) in front of screens, we’re finally coming to understand the enormous benefits—the necessity, even—of being outside.
Most of the positive physical and psychological effects of moving our bodies out in nature apply to everyone. Yet for women wanting to try something more ambitious than a proverbial walk in the park (which still offers plenty of benefits!), the potential challenges can be intimidating.
According to Trish Van Haga, founder of the outdoor adventure community Women in the Wild Adventures, concerns about safety, planning and organization, and fitness are among those expressed by would-be adventurers.
Yet Van Haga is passionate in her belief that those concerns can be overcome through education, preparation, and, above all, community connections. In her view, the benefits of overcoming practical and psychological barriers are as far-reaching as those of the outdoor activities themselves.
Outdoor adventure pro tip
When it comes to specialized outdoor clothing and equipment (think footwear, backpacks, sleeping bags, and the like), it pays to do your research and acquire the best-quality, best-fitting gear you can find and afford. It will last longer, and your body will thank you for it!
A little project goes viral
After years of taking to trails and slopes on her own, all the while hankering for more of a community, Van Haga embarked on creating a space where adventuring women of all ages and levels of experience could support and learn from each other. Van Haga, herself, a former gymnast who now works in the forestry industry, offers a wealth of safety-related expertise, along with excellent organizational skills and a contagious enthusiasm for the great outdoors.
Her project began as a Facebook group, with small numbers of women hooking up to hike or snowboard near Vancouver. Then, in January 2024, an Instagram reel featuring a series of enticing photos from the group’s 2023 adventures went viral. It wasn’t long before Women in the Wild Adventures took form as a vibrant, multi-activity community, with event “Ambassadors” hosting free events in Canada, the US, and beyond.
Sister organizations
Women-focused outdoor adventure organizations are a growing phenomenon. Here’s a small selection:
Backcountry Women is based in Manitoba and believes in fostering a positive space for individuals who identify with the female experience. Members enjoy discounted pricing on activities and workshops, as well as opportunities to build community and connection through outdoor adventure.
Get Outside Adventures offers hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing adventures in the Canadian Rockies and BC. They specialize in women-only trips and courses but also include some co-ed experiences in their programming.
The L.A. Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports women, people who identify as women, and “non-binary adventurers” in enjoying the outdoors and taking on leadership roles in the outdoor industry. The foundation has chapters and events across Canada.
Women Who Explore is a network of supportive women-focused outdoor adventure groups throughout Canada and the US. Visit their website to find a group near you.
Safety in numbers … and skills
The safety-related concerns that women have when contemplating outdoor adventure activities aren’t trivial, but nor are they insurmountable. “I take safety and security very seriously,” Van Haga says. That commitment begins with verifying the identity of all prospective Women in the Wild members.
Details of upcoming events are kept private so that only vetted members know where and when a group is meeting (and it’s worth noting here that this inclusive community is enthusiastically open to anyone who identifies as a woman).
To support women in developing their safety-related outdoor skills, Women in the Wild Adventures offers resources that include online courses, website articles dealing with topics such as wilderness first aid and avalanche preparedness, and recommendations for additional safety training.
Women thrive outdoors
One way of conquering fears and inhibitions, when it comes to outdoor adventure, is to focus on the many benefits women can derive from vigorous outdoor activity:
Hormonal health and PMS relief
Regular exposure to natural light has been shown to help regulate our circadian rhythms, which in turn fosters hormone balance. Natural light exposure and physical exercise are also associated with relief from the physical and psychological symptoms of PMS.
Disease prevention
Weight-bearing cardiovascular exercise, such as the kind we get from hiking with a load of gear on our back, packs a powerful punch against numerous serious health conditions, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, infectious diseases, and some cancers.
Resilience and empowerment
Defying gender stereotypes and inequalities (alas, still alive in the outdoor adventure world) and overcoming self-doubts in a concrete, physical way can be energizing and empowering. Moreover, the skills and resilience that we develop out in the wild readily translate to other areas of our lives. Up against a mountain of a project or a bear of a boss? Those hikes you do will serve you well!
Connections to nature and each other
Experiencing the cycles and seasons of nature, especially in the company of other women, helps connect us with the cycles and seasons of our own bodies in ways that Trish Van Haga describes as “comforting and calming to the nervous system.”
In addition to providing practical and logistical support, adventure groups focused on women can be a powerful source of community in our often-isolating world. Fostering community connection is both a priority and a passion for Van Haga, who has enjoyed watching countless relationships blossom within her organization.
“If you’re getting out in nature with a group like Women in the Wild, whatever the activity, you’ll get that sense of community,” Van Haga says, “and you’ll be supporting your mental and spiritual health.”
A definition as broad as the great outdoors
Adventure means different things to different people. For some, it’s the thrill of scaling a sheer rock face or navigating whitewater rapids. For others, it might be a gentle hike along well-marked trails or a paddle on a serene lake. The image of a svelte, muscular climber perched atop a remote peak may be inspiring, but it doesn’t capture the full scope of outdoor adventure or the diversity of people who engage in it.
If you venture outdoors—in a group or in solitary contemplation—with a spirit of discovery and a desire to connect with nature, chances are good you’ll experience some wonderful rewards.
Canadian organizations offering wilderness safety courses and workshops
Inspiration from a century back
In 1924, Phyllis Munday became the first woman to summit Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, carrying the same load as the men on the expedition. She loved mountains and declared that it is “impossible to explain what they do to your soul.”
This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of alive magazine.
