We just wrapped up our first of two winter women’s only backpacking experiences for 2025 and it was a success. Learning goes further when coupled with camaraderie and that’s what these campers had. Together they lifted and supported one another. Like a team. As one guest put it: “Thanks for a great overnight, we had to shift gears and we ended up having the experience we were intended to!” This educational adventure was led by Redline Guide Debra McCown, who also penned these words:
There’s something distinctly different about the vibe in all-female programs, though it’s hard to describe it in precise terms. But the benefits of such an atmosphere were so clear to me on Thursday when one of the ladies in my women-only intro backpacking group began to struggle physically with the hike.
There was no grumping for speed, no pushing her toward the objective — just unwavering support, plus a lot of cheerful fun and laughter among group members who noted that they, too, enjoyed a slower pace.
When we stopped at our campsite, the group member who was struggling had the opportunity to sit down and rest. The others offered their own down jackets to make sure she was warm and busied themselves stomping out the snow and setting up her tent. And after dinner, once she and her tentmates were settled in for the night, I heard them carrying on with laughter for a while before they went to sleep.
Not every trip is about tackling a summit or achieving a physical feat; sometimes the objective is simply fun and learning — and the community of tackling a new experience, like backpacking on the snow. And in that regard, this one was certainly a success. —Debra
If this sounds like something you’d like to do for yourself, we would like to remind you there is one more on the schedule for this season. Check it out and sign up fast (not to hurry you), it’s right around the corner. Now for some photos.
