Outdoor Enthusiast Interview

Judith Harlan

I'm someone who loves to be outdoors, to feel the spring sunshine, the cool summer breezes. And I'm a moderate when it comes to athletic endeavors.

I love hiking, walking, and just being in the forest or on a bluff overlooking the ocean, or a trail above the Mediterranean. I don't need to climb to a peak when I'm hiking; in fact, I'm easily distracted by views and vistas, so I seldom focus on a goal when I'm hiking. I'm happy to be in the moment, out of doors, simply enjoying the world. In brief: I just walk.

I walk city streets and explore national and state parks when I'm traveling, and I hike the Sierra Nevada trails, park and wilderness here at home. My dogs love hiking, too, by the way, so they're always encouraging me to do more.

My work is Web content, and I got to here through my years as a magazine, newspaper, advertising and (youth) book writer. With such a sedentary occupation, you can imagine my great urge to move about at the end of a day!

2) Tell me about your blog, Ladies-hiking.com. When did you begin it? What inspired you to start it? Was there someone special that served as a mentor or inspiration? What are your goals for the blog?

I hadn't really thought of Ladies-hiking.com as a blog until you mentioned it. But I guess it is. I set up the site to inspire women to get out there and hike. There are so many little hurdles that I've heard women mention when they talk about hiking; such as, they don't know where to go, don't know what shoes to wear (don't LIKE those ugly hiking boots), don't know what "wicking" is and really don't think their clothes ought to be doing such things, can't get time for themselves away from chores, aren't in shape, are afraid of getting lost, and so on.

So, being no hearty woods-woman myself, just another lady who likes the smell of the forest, I thought I'd share my own thoughts and give women a place to share theirs as well. I write and manage websites in my business, so it was a natural for me to set one up as my little gift to other women.

As it develops and finds a voice of its own, Ladies-hiking.com is becoming a place to share our hiking tales, our tips on clothes, gear, recipes; all those ideas we pick up as we go. The more I find to add and the more women join in, the more the site simply becomes its own organic self. And look, it's lead me to connect with you, and you are awesome. Ultralight backpacking is another bit of expertise that could inspire lots of women to take the step from day-hiking to backpacking. Talk about intimidating! The thought of carrying 30 pounds on your back; UPHILL for eight miles; is enough to make many wise women run in the other direction. But if that backpack weighed only 12 pounds, what a liberating thing that could be. It could open the backcountry to many, many women hikers.

3) What would you like to say to women who feel intimidated by putting on a pair of sneakers or hiking boots and setting off on a new adventure...those that feel that they can't do it for whatever reason (i.e. out of shape, never done it before, live in the concrete jungle and don't know how to begin etc.)?

That first step out onto the hiking trail is the biggest step. After that, the rest just comes naturally. I tell women who hesitate to go hiking that hiking really is just walking. Nothing more. Also, for a lot of women it's choosing to set aside time to walk; then, having done that, it's choosing to give yourself the gift of a beautiful environment.

Once you've done it one time on your own terms; not following someone else's pace or directions; you'll either be hooked and want to do more and more. Or, you might walk away, and that's fine too, it being your own choice.

4) On your blog, you have some interesting "rules" of hiking. Tell me about them.

The Ladies Hiking Rules are a bit tongue-in-cheek and also somewhat serious. (Can those two co-exist?)

I just started doing them based on my own experience on the trail. For example, a couple years ago, I was hiking with some incredibly goal-oriented, fast-moving hikers. It wasn't fun. I dreaded the designated evenings, but I was committed and I kept going back. (Was I crazy? I wouldn't do it now!) I didn't want to be the one who couldn't keep up, so I pushed myself and never got to enjoy the walk in the woods. I was tremendously relieved when that group fizzled.

That's why Ladies Hiking Rule #1 is "no forced marches," unless that's what you're into.

I'm thinking about adding one about GORP, too. If you hate trail mix, bring something you like: chocolate comes to mind.

5) Tell me about your most memorable hike. Where was it, what happened, why is it your favorite?"

So far, my favorite hike was the hike up Half Dome in Yosemite. You just can't beat that hike for that spectacular view off the top, for the cool, misty waterfalls along the way, and for the camaraderie on the trail. Right now, it's my favorite from those hikes in my experience, but ask me again next year; every year I seem to have my new favorite.

I also love almost any hike through Redwood forests; Muir Woods, the Point Reyes area, Big Sur, Northern California coastal Redwood trails. And the more I think of it, the harder it is to pull out one as my favorite. Tough question, Laura! Can you name yours? ;->

8) How do you see Ladies-hiking.com benefiting the hiking world?

I hope that Ladies-hiking.com inspires women to hike. For me, hiking is a wonderful combination; exercise for my body, beauty for my psyche and connection for my spirit. I want to share that, so other ladies who are not hearty woods-women can be empowered to give themselves that same gift.

And thank you, Judith, for this fresh look at hiking. You make it simple and straightforward. Your Ladies Hiking Rules take all the intimidation out of hiking.

Return from Judith Harlan Interview to Interviews

Return from Judith Harlan Interview to Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking