A (way-too short) History of Women in the Outdoors

The history of women in the outdoors is a story of overcoming societal barriers and challenging traditional gender roles to pursue adventures, explore the wilderness, and excel in outdoor activities. While women have always been a part of outdoor experiences, their roles and recognition have evolved significantly over time.

In the 18th and 19th centuries Women's outdoor experiences were limited due to prevailing societal norms and restrictions. However, some notable women, such as Sacagawea (1804-1806) and Annie Smith Peck (late 19th and early 20th century), defied expectations and made significant contributions to exploration and mountaineering.

Entering the late 19th and early 20th centuries women began participating in mountaineering and alpine activities, challenging the notion that such pursuits were exclusively for men. Notable women mountaineers include Fanny Bullock Workman, Annie Smith Peck, and Meta Brevoort

As time moved on, the world saw a rise in some of the first women's outdoor clubs, such as The Ladies' Alpine Club (UK, 1907), The Appalachian Mountain Club (US, 1876), and The Sierra Club (US, 1892). For one of the first times in modern history, these organizations provided safe spaces for women to engage in outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and climbing.

Women began breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated outdoor pursuits. Notable achievements include Junko Tabei becoming the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975 and Arlene Blum leading the first all-female ascent of Annapurna in 1978.

At present, women's participation in outdoor activities has become more diverse and inclusive. Just as Solstice Adventure Co. exists to broaden and make more accessible these opportunities, other organizations and initiatives such as , She Explores, Outdoor Afro, and Brown Girls Climb aim to amplify the voices and experiences of women from various backgrounds in the outdoor community.

While there may still be persistent challenges in achieving gender equity and inclusivity in the outdoors- women and BIPOC outdoor opportunities have come leaps and bounds- of course serving as a testament to the strength, resilience, and determination of women who continue to push boundaries and inspire future generations to explore and connect with nature.