Lucy and I did it!! 500 miles since July. BOOM. DONE. BUT...funny story. With the holiday and having a chest cold, I didn't actually pay attention to the date. I wasn't going to go hiking today (Monday), cause it was raining and cold and I kept hacking up a lung, but I said &^%$ it. I actually thought I had another day to finish it off - as in I thought New Years Eve was on Wednesday. LEL. But, it's done. I did it. Despite quite a few setbacks, even with my back, I did it. Hell yeah. Hiking has opened up so many new horizons and connected me with so many new folks. I can't wait to see what 2020 brings. P.S. I don't actually give a *&^% about miles, it was a random goal I set mainly cause I like the song. Tag #misfithikers to be featured! . 📍Sagamore Creek Loop, Bedford Reservation, this land originally held in stewardship by the Wyandotte, Mingo, and possibly others. As always, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me here.
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The pain is just in your head...that's how I felt when I went to the Cleveland Clinic downtown ER just over a week ago. The doc implied I was in pain because I was fat, had over-exercised, or that I was simply drug seeking. It was such an awful experience that I wanted to see if I was the only one. I felt very much alone and I started to doubt myself which I rarely do. Then I started reading. And holy shit. Sorry not sorry for the length of the post. It's important shit, and if it's 400 words over what people will typically read, well, if you can make it through a Stephen King novel, you can hopefully hang on long enough to make it through here.....
This isn't made up - it's a valid problem, as reported on by the NY Times, Harvard Health, and the Washington Post. So what's happening? Well, unfortunately, if you aren't a white cis male and in pain, good luck:
Why? Why does this happen? You can't ignore that white cis men have certain societal privileges, leftover from a thousand years of being the top dogs. I have nothing against white cis males - my problem is with the people that afford them the privilege at the expense of others. There's a historical connection that can't be ignored - for example, studies have shown in the case of women, doctors are much more likely to assume women’s pain is caused by emotional issues and/or hysterics rather than rooted in actual physical causes. EVEN WHEN CLINICAL TESTS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THEIR PAIN IS REAL AND IDENTIFIABLE. Not only that, but women with emergent or chronic pain are much more likely to be misdiagnosed as having a mental health issue and prescribed anti-anxiety or psychotropic drugs. I guess that's progress from the forced masturbation doctor's prescribed in the 1800s. Additionally, lady folk with biologically female issues in the ER and out of the ER, who complain of pain associated with fibroids or endometriosis are still often dismissed in high numbers as having pain “normal to being a woman.” It boils down to doctors believing women are more emotional and irrational than men, and so over exaggerate their pain, if they are actually having pain at all. This isn't anecdotal - Karen Calderone, for example, found doctors tend to treat men and women differently when they’re in pain, even when they exhibit the same symptoms. And they’re given sedatives instead of pain-managing drugs. Because the pain is in their head and will go away if they get their hysterical vaginas under control. WTAF. The internalized discrimination is immense in the medical community. In 2016 nearly 50% of those medical students and residents surveyed believed at least one myth regarding race and pain – like believing black people had nerve endings that are less sensitive than whites. Uh, what? Like, what the what? Doctor’s also erroneously believe that women and persons of color are more likely to become addicted to painkillers, because they’re more likely to abuse them. And these are only a few examples. If you’re attractive? Ha. Good luck to you. The ER is one place that shit will work against you. Why? Because is you’re pretty on the outside, it means you’re healthier on the inside and therefore you’re less likely to be treated for serious health issues. Yikers. Basically, unless you’re a white, heterosexual male, you’re kinda fucked. Older? Told the pain is part of aging and to suck it up. LGBTQ? Hysterical. Children? Whiney. The list goes on. So what kind of ramifications does this have? The answer is….a lot. Medical research on women lags behind, and it's killing us - A study published in 2000 by The New England Journal of Medicine found that women were SEVEN TIMES more likely to be discharged from an ER in the MIDST OF HAVING A HEART ATTACK. Why? Because all the studies on heart attack symptoms are done on men and women have different symptoms. What about abdominal pain? Head pain? Back pain? Pain is an indication that something is wrong. Get the pain under control and then figure that shit out. Don’t send us home. Don’t ignore us. Don’t patronize us. When you do, we live in pain and illness much longer than necessary. Sometimes, it's never treated. Women and persons of color are also less likely to seek medical attention, out of fear of being dismissed or ignored. So the problem worsens. Or we just die. I run a group for misfits - those that don't fit the stereotype of the "typical" outdoor person. Outdoors adventures. Sometimes we're going to get hurt. Sometimes we're going to have chronic problems and/or pain. We also deserve to be cared for, to be treated in a fair and equitable way. When you don't, you further limit our access. Stop it. I posted what happened and I've now looked in to why it happened. Next up, what can be done? It's not enough to complain, I want to find solutions. What do YOU think people can do? What the solution is? Post below or contact me here. I was in the parking lot after a hike last week, when I took a step and as my father would say, that was all she wrote. My lower back exploded in pain. I managed to drive home, took some pills, and settled in for what I assumed would be an uncomfortable evening. But the pain kept increasing, and at 1:00 a.m. woke my husband up to take me to the downtown ER at the Cleveland Clinic.
Going to the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus ER was a big, big mistake and ended up being a traumatic experience instead of a healing one. They took me back quickly and a resident came shortly thereafter. His examination, moving everything everywhere, increased my pain intensely, but I'm sure it needed done in the manner he did it. He was confused because they'd put me down as having flank pain, not back pain. He asked a lot of questions about my hiking: Oh, you were hiking? First time out? You really hiked four miles? Are you sure you didn't fall? You hike how many miles a week? These were the gist, both then and when he came back later. It became clear he thought I was a fatty out for exercise above what I could do, probably the first time I'd been out in years, and had managed to hurt myself. I also got the feeling they thought I was drug seeking, based on the course of treatment that was yet to come and some of the off-hand comments that were made throughout. They did not ask what medications I was currently on, nor if I had any allergies. Then a nurse showed up to give me some steroids and Tylenol. Which I am allergic to, which was noted in my chart (Cleveland Clinic has integrated systems, so they had my chart), AND I was wearing an allergy band. Even after my husband and I explained the allergy, the nurse STILL tried to get me to take it. Finally, he left and said he'd speak with the doctor. Thirty minutes later, he came back with a Lidocaine Patch and some heating pads. I'd like to take a moment to mention I wasn't calmly sitting in a chair. I was crying, laying in a bed, and I'd explained over and over my pain was at a 6-7. I was REALLY in pain. By 3:30 a.m. no one had come back and the pills I'd taken at 9:00 p.m. had worn off. The pain hit a level nine, and I was crying pretty hysterically and fairly incoherent. My husband kept going and trying to find someone. They couldn't find the Resident. There must have been a shift change, because a nurse helping another room heard me and came in. His name was Michael, and asked what was going on. He was pretty horrified and went to get help. He also brought a blanket and kept me pumped full of ginger ale. Michael was amazing. Help came in the form of the attending, since no one could find my doctor. They then tried Valium - which is a muscle relaxer, but also treats anxiety. This was followed an hour later by one 5 mg hydrocodone. Followed another hour later by the ORIGINAL resident coming and saying they couldn't give me intravenous drugs, the next step, without admitting me. My pain had gone from a 9 to a 7, but I was still crying. He said to be prepared to do PT and do some work. I responded, again, telling him I'd been in PT for several years and did exercises every day, to which he answered, "Uh, ok." I responded along the lines of, "Whatever you have to do to actually get me some relief, please just do it. Seriously. I've had enough. The first doctor was here and disappeared for two hours, I just need help" I then felt the need to apologize - though I'm not sure why - it wasn't like I was yelling. You could see he was clearly pissed, and he just turned and walked out. Michael came back a few minutes later to give me morphine, saying the doc was discharging me if I could walk after taking it. But then he discovered I didn't have an IV in, which apparently no one had noticed. One was put in, I got the morphine, and was discharged. The morphine brought the pain to a four, and they gave me scripts for a steroid, five hydrocodone, and more valium. No imaging was done, despite telling them over and over that the pain was different from my original injury and despite numbness in my leg, which I still have. My self diagnosis is a new herniated disc. I needed help getting the pain under control, and I needed to know that was the issue (and the numbness would go away). They never followed up on the leg after the initial exam. My pain is better than what it was, but still significant. I feel, frankly, traumatized. I've cried a lot. I was dismissed. I didn't know how to get them to believe me, to help me. I've had nightmares about having to go back, or running in to the doctor in another capacity. I've worked for years to get to the point where my daily pain level is a 2. I've worked hard to take the least amount of medication possible, to start hiking again. I'm proud of what I accomplished. I shudder to think if my husband hadn't been there, as I was in too much pain to advocate for myself. I was dismissed and treated without respect by most of the staff (not Michael) at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus ER. I felt small, judged, and unworthy. Because I'm fat. Because I'm a woman. Because they assumed I was drug seeking. I feel embarrassed and ashamed writing this, like I did something wrong. But I didn't. It was their incompetence and bias. I've been doing a lot of reading on women, pain, and the ER, which I'll post in my next blog update. It's been eye opening. Shame on you, Cleveland Clinic. Do better. I'd like to note that the Cleveland Clinic is huge, and all my doctors are with them. This is a review of only one of their ERs/centers. My regular doctor, who is helping get everything back under control, is absolutely amazing. I can't rave about her enough. Have you ever had a negative ER experience? Been dismissed or marginalized by the medical community because of your gender, skin color, size, etc? Comment below or email me here. “I started hiking less than 2 years ago with little to no experience. I decided to hit the trail to find inner peace and my sanity after my husband passed. Being by myself and with no hiking friends was pretty difficult and lonely, but it didn’t stop me. I came out of my comfort zone and started making friends and reaching out to hiking groups. Now I’m unstoppable.” -- Vina, (@thepinayhiker101).
. . Preferred Pronouns: She/Her . . Vina would like to give a shout-out to #onelovehikebikerun #socalhiker . 📍 Red Box Station/Strawberry Peak, this land was originally held in stewardship by the Chumash, Kitanemuk, Tataviam, Hahamog'na, and possibly others. . Tag #misfithikers to be showcased! . [Image Description: A woman in a red and grey long-sleeved shirt with a grey hat that reads “sixpackofpeaks challenger” on it stands, wind-blown hair across her face, in front of a Strawberry Peak marker. There’s green brush and blue sky in the background.]
I don't like to hike in fear, but I do like to hike in safety. Why get a satellite communicator? Cause they're fucking awesome. And not just for hiking - they're great for anytime who might be in a remote area and not have cell service. I couldn't find the article (of course), but I'd read something like 60% of SOS calls from satellite locators are by people that have been in a car accident. Legit. They aren't just for hikers, but joggers, walkers, anyone that's gonna be outdoors....
Sample Uses:
What They Offer: Varies drastically depending on the model.
Biggest Downside - Price. They're a chunk of cash, ranging from $150.00 up to $1200.00 and beyond. On top of that, you have to get a subscription. The plans range in price, depending on what features you want - I have one that costs $11.00 a month. I'm big on access - and safety - for everyone. And these are prohibitively expensive for many, even with sales. I don't like the idea that because people can afford this, they're safer on the trails. Other Downsides: They don't really work in caves and inside homes. They can also get a bit sketch if the sky is occluded (heavy tree coverage, etc.), but most models have a means to continually attempt to send the message until it gets through. If you're thinking about getting one (they're hella on sale with the holiday), check out this article from REI on selecting the best one. Over the next week or so, I'll be reviewing the Spotgen 3 and the Garmind InReach Mini. One is amazing and one is....not. Do you have a satellite communicator? Love it? Hate it? Ever had to use it? Comment below or email me here! I've been thinking a lot about next year. What I want to accomplish with Misfit Hikers and with myself. And I've come to a realization that I need to focus less on my weight and more on my goals. What is it I want my body to be able to do? And what do I need to be able to do to get there? When I'm 75, I'm not going to give a shit about a roll (unless it's Pillsbury). What I am going to care about is whether I'm able to still do the activities I love and if I'm still able to try new adventures. For most of my life, I've set arbitrary weight goals. I want to weight 135 pounds. I want to lose 40 pounds. I want to be size 8. Over the past year, I've really been examining whether or not those goals are a) realistic b) healthy and c) what I actually want. Truthfully, they're none of those things. I'm tired of the constant fight with food, with clothes, with the ups and downs. And so this year, I'm going to focus more on my overall HEALTH as opposed to my weight. I'll still (try to) eat an anti-inflammation diet, and some weight-loss might be a side effect of that, it's no longer going to be the main goal. Mainly, I want to focus on how I want my body to function and the adventures I want to accomplish. I'm going to Australia in April - how do I do that flight with my back? How do I hike further and carry more weight in my pack? I want to go rafting. And try rock climbing and scrambling. And I want to be able to do those things in 30 years. So I'm going to focus on building up strength and flexibility through activity (I'm never going to be a gym rat). But really, though, fuck it. I want my hiking and my cheesecake, too. What do you think? Comment below or email me here!
This past weekend, Lucy and I decided to do an adventure of (semi)-epic proportions. So we donned our gear, grabbed some food to take with (McDonalds, don't judge, Lucy has a very refined pallet) and drove down to Cuyahoga Valley National Park to check out a- supposedly- 5.5 mile loop comprised of three separate trails - Perkins, Riding, and Furnace.
But it wasn't 5.5 miles - it was nearly 8. And TOUGH. SURPRISE B! I'm always surprised by what my body is capable of, which apparently is some big ass hills. Read on to get the scoop on the trail and all about our adventure!
The entire trail was beautiful - really lovely - with a lot of changing scenery. If you're up for a good challenge, I'd highly recommend it.
To start, Perkins - just magical, with moss covered trees and glinting light. The weird? SOMEONE CAME THROUGH AND LEAF BLEW THE TRAIL. I was super confused. It made the trail seem weird and unnatural. And privileged in a way that made me uncomfortable. I'll talk more about this in another post. All three trails had a LOT of elevation (three and a half near mountain limits of 1000ft.). The entire trip was basically "up/down up/down." Frankly, I was surprised by how well I held up.
After heroically carrying Lucy through the briars, I wasn't going back through it. So I finally found a place to shimmy down. Then I had to cross - which I did by walking across a log. Even in winter, the water was knee high. I'm guessing even less passable in Spring.
I'm sure the rest of Furnace was pretty, though by the time I got through the creek I was beat, dusk was falling, and I still had 2 miles to go....SURPRISE....as I was already at 5 miles.
The last 1/2 mile of Furnace was comprised of dozens of stairs. Not great.
Wrap-Up: It was a real challenge, mainly due to the elevation and the distance I hadn't planned on. I felt *really* good about it at the end - my back held up with the pack. I'd definitely do Perkins and Riding again, but would dodge Furnace. Have you ever been surprised by the length of a hike? Or a trail "disappearing"? Comment below or contact me here.
This is a follow-up to the post I did last week on Vitamin I(buprofen), cause pain and inflammation sucks. From sore backs to tension headaches, nothing puts you down harder or faster than uncontrolled pain. So how the heck do you deal with it when you can't- or don't want to - take NSAIDS? Unsurprisingly, there's a bunch of methods to deal with inflammation and pain, you just have to find what works for you! Below are some of the tricks I, personally, use.
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Honorable Mentions for Area Specific Issues
This is just what I've come across that has worked for me. I'm not a doctor or medical provider, and I do recommend you speak with them before starting any kind of supplement or making any significant change. And don't be afraid to do your own research! Most importantly, know there's nothing wrong with you. You haven't failed and you are deserving of whatever adventure you want to chase. How do you deal with pain/inflammation without NSAIDS? Comment below or email me here!
Did you know that Thanksgiving is also the National Day of Mourning?
For most, it's a day to give thanks, to be with family, and to take a minute amid the hustle and bustle. Kids in grade schools dress up as Native Americans and Puritans, sitting down to a "feast" at their school, celebrating the coexistence of Native Americans or how they "saved" their white English buddies. But that's not how it is for everyone, and it doesn't hurt to recognize revisionist, Eurocentric history presented to us in grade school and acknowledge the history behind the day. For many Native Americans, it's the National Day of Mourning....a day to "reflect on the spirituality of their people and to remember those who were persecuted and murdered. It is also a day to protest the oppression and racism that Native American peoples continue to experience to this very day." In fact, it was to give thanks at the murder in 1637 of nearly a 1000 Pequot Native Americans during the Pequot uprising in New England. Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony declared: “A day of Thanksgiving, thanking God that they had eliminated over 700 men, women and children.” It was signed into law that, “This day forth shall be a day of celebration and thanksgiving for subduing the Pequots.” To the people that say get over it, move on, it was a long time ago. Be quiet and eat your turkey leg. Let me throw this out there - think of some of the other large-scale attacks in American history. Now picture if history remembered it as fact that terrorist/shooter/etc. x and their victims not only helped one another, but were friends. That the event didn't happen as you remember it. How it *should* be remembered. So give thanks and enjoy the day with your family, but don't do it under the guise of something it's not. You can be thankful and enjoy your family, but you don't need the fake-ass story or "injun" paraphernalia (coloring books, cut-out "indian headdresses," the Native American salt & pepper shakers, etc.) to do it. And if you have kids, look at it as the chance to change the way you talk to them about history and correct misunderstandings about history/Thanksgiving in general. American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) has some recommendations on age-appropriate books from the Native American perspective that can be found here. Highly recommend the list. Most of all, though, be respectful of the fact that not everyone is going to be celebrating. Because it's not over for indigenous peoples - they are still marginalized, their voices unheard, and treaties ignored. Just look at the Keystone Oil Spill. It's not about being perfect, but it's about recognizing injustices for what they are and not ignoring them because it's inconvenient. For my own part going forward, whenever I post pics of an area I hiked, I'm going to try and include what Native American tribes were the original stewards of the land. Because people, and their stories, matter. And that we remember matters. What will you incorporate or change going forward? Comment below or email me here.
"Lots and lots of Vitamin I," a guy replied (laughing) to me the other day, while we were chatting at the physical therapist's office, after I'd queried how he kept up his really intense workout regime with the type of injury he had.
Inwardly, I cringed. Bigly. What's Vitamin I? It's what outdoor folks (particularly thru hikers and hikers) fondly call Ibuprofen, an NSAID, and it's no joke. What's an NSAID? It's a lovely anti-inflammatory drug you can buy over the counter at any pharmacy - it's great for pain and marvelous for inflammation. It's not a steroid and you can buy it everywhere, so it's safe, right? Wrong. When my back injury occurred, the docs started me on large doses of Vitamin I, which I was on for weeks - which totally destroyed my stomach. As in I can't eat the same way I used to, I have a lot of pain with it, and I have had to change how I do things because of it. It's greatly affected my everyday life. There's been a lot of studies, and you can read an overview of them at Time, the Cleveland Clinic, the Mayo Clinic, and Harvard's websites. So what are the risks of NSAIDS? - The heart - increased risk for heart attack by 1/3 (though Ibuprofen more than doubled those risks).....and 19% increased risk of being hospitalized for heart failure - intestinal bleeding - increase chance of stroke - increase change of hearing loss (by 10%) - greater chance of bone loss with resistance training But you only take them occasionally in low doses, so that's fine, right? Nope. You can mess your heart up only using it for less than a week - though long-term use and higher doses increase the risk. Even scarier - they don't know why it increases the risk of a heart event. WTAF. Sometimes, you may *have* to take it, to get some sleep, especially if you manage chronic pain. Don't feel bad about it!! - take the lowest dose possible - don't take more than one kind of NSAID at a time, it increases the danger What if you have chronic, painful inflammation and don't want to take "Vitamin I" any longer? Look for my post next week, where I'll write about some of the wonderful alternatives out there to help deal with inflammation. Because being in pain sucks, and it keeps you from doing the &^%$ you want to do. Do you use NSAIDS? Any problems? How do you deal with pain from activities? Comment below or email me here.
One of my work friends (hi Jenny!) asked me the other day if I'm doing anything different now that the cold weather has descended upon us. Short answer, yes. I love the cold weather, and the fact the landscapes look like an apocalyptic wasteland (original Red Dawn anyone?) only adds to the fun. However, my legs and thighs, in particular, get cold in all the wind we get here in Cleveland....these would be great for under garb at LARPS, too. So I went and found myself the REI Co-op Talusphere Pants. In a nutshell? They're great. If you want a pair of shell pants that protect from moisture and wind, at a reasonable price, this is them, so go by them at REI. There are a couple of downsides, especially if you're short and fat, like me. If you want the full scoop, read on!
The Price Tag: $89.50
There's some things I really love about the Talusphere pants - they're made from polyester and they have some significant stretch so I can move freely, which I appreciate for scrambling. You can cinch the ankles tight, and it's waterproof, but by some dark magic also breathable. I haven't turned in to a sweaty mess yet. And I love that the pockets have zippers. They come in a whole range of sizes and shapes, both for men and women.
There are two main downsides to these bad boys. First, the sizing. I don't know what's going on at REI, but it was crazy trying to deal with the sizing on these. The women's goes up to an XL (little small for an XL) and the women's "plus size" goes up to 3X. The problem with the women's larger-sized Talusphere is that they don't come in petite unlike the S-XL. Well......I'm short and fat. Awwwwwkward. If you want to purchase the larger sizes at REI, be aware you must search for "plus-size talusphere women plants." Yes, they're in a totally different section on the website. When I went in to the store, I explained to the very kind helper that I was short and fat (as mentioned above), and she very happily hung out and tried to help me find the right pants. The men's hips didn't fit, even though they get ALL kinds of inseam options for leg length to waist-size. I finally had to settle on the 2X Talusphere Women's Pant. You can see from the way they bunch at the ankles they're significantly too big, but I can move freely in them and I can put a lot of layers on underneath if I want. My biggest complaint is the length of the leg, and would be great if REI added some petite options in the larger lady sizes. My only other complaint, and it's echoed by the reviews on the REI website, is the draw-string waist. It's very thin, and the toggle that holds it in place doesn't work the best, but I just tie a small knot. I haven't had any issues with my pants sagging down, but I have a booty. If you don't, beware! In the end, I'm very happy with the purchase and they've held up great on the trail so far! What winter "shell" pants do you use? (If any) What do you love/hate about them? Feel free to comment or contact me here.
Today is Veteran's Day. It's a day to thank those that have served and defended our country.
Having a degree in history and being particularly drawn to the stories of the past, I've read a lot about the difficulties so many veterans have after being discharged and they return to civilian life. The outdoor world has helped many veterans make the transition a bit easier, put them in touch with other veterans, and when needed given them adaptive access to the outdoors. The outdoors can help on the road to recovery, both mentally and physically. To honor those veterans today, I've put together a few outdoor resources that are available for veterans - some include families in the activities and some are free. There are many, many more that features all kinds of sports and outdoor activities. Thank you, Veterans, for your service. Outdoor Adventures Hope For The Warriors’ Outdoor Adventures Program provides adaptive opportunities for wounded heroes to participate in sporting activities in the great outdoors. Service members, who previously embraced an outdoorsman lifestyle, as well as those new to traditional outdoor sports, are introduced to recreational opportunities on the road to recovery. Warrior Expeditions Warrior Expeditions provides veterans with everything they need to complete a long distance outdoor expedition at no cost to the veteran. Camp Patriot Located in Northwest Montana this first-a-kind 90+ acre facility is a “living monument” to wounded and disabled veterans of all generations. The ranch allows us to offer a host of truly unique outdoor recreational therapy programs. Veterans Trek The mission of Veterans Trek is to provide healthy outdoor and educational activities that allow the restorative powers of nature and Veteran peer support. Our nature-based programs provide both outdoor treks as well as employment and career options for Veterans seeking meaningful work in the natural environment. Outward Bound For Veterans Outward Bound for Veterans helps thousands of returning service members and recent veterans readjust to life at home through powerful wilderness courses that draw on the healing benefit of teamwork and challenge through use of the natural world. SUDS (Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba) The SUDS program is for service members wounded, ill and injured with a permanent physical disability requiring adaptation. The scuba training offered to the service members is a challenging and rewarding activity which can help facilitate the rehabilitation process and offers them an activity that they can enjoy for years to come. Have another resource for Veterans? Comment below, or feel free to contact me here!
One of the big problems getting started with outside adventuring has to do with access. Beginning hikers and walkers can find it difficult to determine if a trail they find online is appropriate to their ability, if they can even find trails around them. Once they find a trail, they want to know what the terrain is like and if there are any obstacles. Are trail bikes welcome? Horses? What about finding the trailhead? Navigating the trail? Any special wildlife areas they should be aware of, like bat habitats? Is it safe for their therapy or service animal?
I've had a number of folks the last few weeks ask what I use to gain access to the outside world, and my go to right now is AllTrails. Hands down, this is the best app I've found to give beginners - and experienced hikers - the access and information they need to get out in the outdoors. Six or seven years ago, I got lost on a Cleveland, OH trail. I had a printed map of the park, but the trails in the Metroparks aren't very well marked in most cases. It was cold and snowing. I had no cell reception and it was getting dark - of course I hadn't brought a headlamp/flashlight. The parks aren't all that big, so I knew I'd eventually find my way out. An hour after dark, my dog Charlie Chuckles and I made it back to the car. I was tired and reallllly pissed off. And this wasn't the first time I'd gotten turned around on the notoriously ill-marked trails in the Cleveland area. Or been unable to find a trailhead with sketchy directions from the internet. Then came AllTrails. Queue rescue-themed music. AllTrails has been wonderful, and really opened up my access to trails in the Cleveland, OH and surrounding areas. Trails I doubt I would have found, or had the courage to try, without it. AllTrails is awesome - You can select what you want out of a trail and search for it - distance from your home, dogs allowed, length of hike, trail bike accessibility, difficulty, etc. This makes it a great tool for folks with disabilities that need to know if a trail is paved, if there are amenities at the trail head, etc. A nice bonus is that you're able to read reviews and see pics of the trail - great way to check for mud or other problems like downed trees/washed out trails. And it's free. Hiking and outdoor adventuring is already prohibitively expensive for many, and anything that removes additional spending is great (pro-version is $2.50 a month, and gives you access to download/print different topo maps). You can use it to track yourself AND record your hike while on the trail, even when your phone is in airplane mode. AllTrails also has a directions option that will open your phone's GPS app and take you right to the trail head. This is A-mazing. Previously, I found myself constantly lost on back roads, and a few times I even gave up on the hike. As a new hiker finding remote trailheads was incredibly frustrating. It helps build confidence, since you can view nearly all the trails immediately around you, allowing you to add/shorten your hike as you want or need to.
There are a couple downsides to AllTrails to keep in mind - it's not always 100% accurate in regards to length of the trail. I find the trails are often a half mile to a mile longer than indicated.
Keep in mind the difficulty rating of the trail tends to vary wildly. I did a 9 mile moderate trail last weekend, which was, to my surprise, easily and quickly accomplished even though it was pouring rain and I had to take a lot of breaks. Whereas I did a trail a few months ago that was five miles and very hilly, difficult terrain. Both were rated as moderate. I always encourage folks to have a printed map with them as well, and to understand how to read it, especially if you're in larger parks/national forests. Despite these issues, I recommend AllTrails for the access it provides. Have you ever gotten lost on the trail? Do you use an app or stick with a map, or both? Comment below, or feel free to contact me here! I'm sure many of you have seen the viral video of Amy Cooper calling the police on Christian Cooper, an African American bird-watcher who was enjoying the Bramble in New York earlier this week. She called the police because he asked her to put her dog on a leash (park rules). She says in the video, "I'm going to tell them there's an African American man threatening my life." She tried to use this man's race as a weapon against him. The outdoors is political, don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. When I first googled top 25 hiking blogs of 2019, I was really surprised. The first several sites that listed blogs included very few women and I didn’t visually identify (or see in the descriptions) any minorities. Or people with disabilities. Or Pride Pack members. Or fat people. Everyone looked very, very white. I taught Diversity in America for quite a few years at several local colleges. I don't know why I was surprised at the lack of diversity in the online presence for outdoor adventures in the U.S., since there's a definitive lack of representation on trails. When my friend told some co-workers he was going backpacking for the weekend, his African-American buddy responded along the lines of, “Only in America would white people go in to the woods and pretend to be homeless.” It bothered me on a level that was difficult for me to define, because I view the outdoors as such an important part of who I am. It's a privilege. And privilege and access is a big part of the problem - because it isn't that way for everyone. The Outdoor Foundation, who conducted a survey in 2013, found that 73% of participants in outdoor activities were white, and 47% had an income above $75K (You can read the entire report on their website here.). And when whites in the U.S., on average, are the ones making that higher income, it's indicative of a problem and not just in relation to getting folks in to the great outdoors. Who's involved matters, too - from how outdoor events and activities are marketed to who runs the parks programs, you'll see primarily white people. The Green 2.0 Report demonstrates a clear lack of diversity in the government agencies, foundations, and NGOs that oversee outdoors recreation and upkeep: The world is a changing place, and it’s time for more outdoor activities, and the folks that are already involved in those activities, to change with it.
Race and ethnic minorities made up 40% of the U.S. population in 2016, and those numbers continue to increase. Consider the words of Teresa Baker, a contributor for The Bold Italic, when she wrote “The climate is changing, and so are the demographics of our country. What will happen when, in two to three decades, our new, non-white majority in the US doesn’t care about the environment due to a lack of involvement now?” While I fit the definition of a Misfit Hiker & Adventurer for a number of reasons, I am, in fact, white. So I come at this, clearly, from a very different perspective. I'd like to note that I am not here to define for anyone else what experiences they should have in the outdoor world or how they should feel about those experiences and/or interactions. However, what I can do, is try to make those outdoor spaces more welcoming. I can conduct and relate research in to different issues. And I can showcase others opinions, viewpoints, and experiences. Misfit Hikers is about inclusion and representation, and you're going to find a lot of emphasis on how people access (or don't access) the outside world of adventuring. And what actions can be taken to address identified issues. As a former teacher, I'm a big fan of education and considering other viewpoints - it forges a connection and helps shape how we view the world (and others). My very small first action is to start gathering resources on different topics regarding inclusion and representation in the outdoors. You can find the start of my efforts here. If you know of an article, website, Instagram, etc. that you'd like to see included, please comment! Or feel free to email me. What happened to Christian Cooper shouldn't ever happen. As stewards of the outdoors we need to - have to - do better. I need to be kind to my body. I have to remind myself of this more often than I care to admit. I often get frustrated by my limitations when I'm in the outside world. I want to hike further, explore new and more remote areas, and climb technically difficult summits.
And I can't always do that. It's my back injury. I know that if I push too far, go too far, I'm going to end up in a lot of pain and unable to get back out there for weeks, maybe even months. And that's definitely not worth it. I have to do things differently. I have to use lighter equipment. I have to make sure my boots have the right support. That my pack doesn't press in to certain areas of my back - 52 packs later and I finally found one! I have to take breaks and do stretches throughout hikes, even shorter ones. I need to remember that high mileage hikes two days in a row may be a problem. Heck, even hiking two days in a row may cause a problem. In other words - I need to be kind to my body. Despite my frustrations, I need to remember to thank my body for what it CAN do. It CAN go on hikes, and take me to places I haven't seen, deep in to forests. And that there are people with able bodies that will never see the hidden, secret places I will. And while I may have to take it slow and easy, that's just part of what makes it my journey. So happy birthday to me - and my body. And remember, be kind to yourself and your body. Do you ever get frustrated with the limitations of your body? What do you do? Leave a comment below or contact me here! This is my favorite hike at the moment. There are parts where I really feel in the woods, and because of the varied, beautiful scenery I like to pretend I’m like Anne of Green Gables, giving unique, totally overblown names to all the different sections. When I started hiking again, I was self-conscious and had a lot of anxiety about it. I had to go slowly, take a lot of breaks, and the hiking clothes, while awesome, were still more form fitting than I wore at the time. Plus, I was a fat girl, all alone, trying to figure out how to be on the trails. I didn’t really want to constantly run in to dudes on the trail that inevitably give me the look. Or would say things in a patronizing manner like, “Only a few more miles to go! Don’t stop, keep working up that sweat!” Uh, thanks random guy. I wanted to take my dog, enjoy the outside, and figure shit out for myself without worrying about what others were thinking/going to do. And that’s what Sagamore Creek Loop provided….. Location The Sagamore Creek Loop Trail head is located at 7733 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125 (Frazee House Parking Lot) and is part of the Bedford Reservation, near Bedford, OH. The easiest way to access the trail head is behind the outhouse, and take a left when you get to the bottom of the incline. The Good
The Bad
Note: At the beginning of the hike, you'll pass a place on the right where you can cross the creek. You'll do this at the end of the hike to complete the loop - I mention this because the alternative ending on the other side is NOT crossing the creek, but a muddy bog and ending the hike with a quarter mile walk on a main road.
The Ugly
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Sagamore Creek Loop remains, by far, one of my favorite hikes. When I first really managed to get hiking again, Sagamore provided the reclusive atmosphere I yearned for, where I first recognized that I could this outdoor thing, despite the pain/anxiety/etc. It’s the first trail I ever completed a night hike on. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. Do you have an outdoor space that’s special for you? Leave a comment or drop me line here! The video at the top of this post is how I envision night hiking - always ready to FLEE. As the days begin to cool and the temperatures drop, the sun dips out of sight faster and faster. And it's *F83king* scary. I normally hike alone, which as a misfit hiker, already puts me on high alert thanks to the unique hazards that poses. This post is specifically about night hiking for beginners......who hit those dark and dusty trails all alllooooonnnne. If you have an active imagination like I do, you literally think the worst the whole time. Aliens. Monsters. There are two reoccurring images that constantly pop in to my head as I'm hiking in the complete blackness of the forest. First, that I'll turn around and there will be someone just standing on the trail, legs slightly apart and head cocked, and they'll be staring at me. Not moving. Just standing. The second image is that someone will come running full sprint through the woods at me, like in "Get Out." The third is it will be like the Blair Witch and I'll stumble upon a cabin in the middle of the woods. The fourth is I'll be walking, and just keep walking. And walking. And walking. And the trail won't go anywhere. Okay, so maybe more than 2.... The dark has always been an awful and terrifying thing for me, every since my father terrorized my fragile five-year-old mind by stalling the car out on a wood-lined dirt road and yelling about how the Gamork (the monster in the Neverending Story was about to get us. He'd then "manage" to get the car started and would careen down the road to our house. You know, tender moments of parental bonding that last a lifetime. But as the sun fades quicker, I don't want to find myself limited to hiking on the weekends. I want to still be able to go after work. So what do I do to prepare myself mentally and so I'm physically safe when I'm out hiking alone? 1. Headlamp: I bring a lightweight headlamp with me, and I make sure I have extra batteries. I use the Black Diamond Spot Lite 160, from REI, which was a cheap $26.00 bucks and has done me well. 2. Know Thy Trail: I wouldn't recommend doing an unfamiliar area in complete darkness. Does it take some of the scary fun out of it? Yes, but losing your footing on some loose shale and snapping your neck falling down a cliff will ALSO put a damper on the fun. 3. Choose Carefully: The trails I head out on at night are ones that are moderately difficult, but not crazily technical. As a night-hiker beginner, I only do trails at night if I've hiked them a number of times in the light, after reading reviews and having an idea of the general safety of the area. I also familiarize myself with the wildlife, so I know what's going to be scuttling around me. Why take chances? 4. Cell Phone: I carry a fully charged cellphone with me so I can call for help if I need to, and it gives me a backup light. If you're going in to really remote areas, get a personal GPS - to figure out the right one for you, check out this article from REI. 5. Implements of Safety: get a small canister of pepper spray. I won't link what I have, because it doesn't have a keychain/way to connect it, and I wish it did. Make sure you can attach it somewhere, because the one instance I really needed it I couldn't get it out of my pocket in time. Pepper spray will help defend against coyotes, dogs, wayward hilljacks, etc. I carry 2 to 4 oz. I also carry a small knife. Though the rule of thumb is if someone/something (i.e. Pennywise) can get that close to you, you're probably &^%$$ anyway. 6. Hike Buddy: Make sure someone knows where you're going, when you start, and when you plan to be done. Every. Single. Time. If nothing else, they talk you down when you see crazy *&^% on the trail at night (see image on right) 7. Hiking Poles: I always use hiking poles, especially in the dark. Helps me keep my footing, and has saved me from tripping and falling a number of times. *Always take your regular gear, too, like water and a map. Once I'm on the trail, I check behind me at regular intervals (about every 50 feet). I don't wear ear buds for my book on tape, for two reasons: so night runners, etc. will know there's someone else around and so I can listen more acutely. I also keep an eye out upward for any potential deadfall (branches or trees about to come down on my head). You want to be extra careful during hunting season, that some yahoo poaching deer doesn't mistake you or your dog for the big kill of the season. Be sure to check local park pages to see what's in season and when. At night, consider reflective gear, too. Some folks like to turn off their headlamps and hike in complete darkness. That isn't me. Besides my imagination, it's a safety issue for me, as I hike in areas with a lot of rocks and tree roots. And monsters that I want to be able to see coming. If you're like me, and your imagination can carry you in scary, unhelpful directions, have a phrase you can repeat to redirect your attention. I like a line from Stephen King's "The Stand" - He thrusts his fists against the post and still insist he sees the ghost. And finally, have fun! Night hiking isn't for everyone, but if you're willing to try it, it is a TOTALLY different experience. I'll be sure let you know if it gets any less scary! Do you hike at night? Have a good story of terror in the darkness of the trail? Have any additional tips for hiking at night or have a question? Post away or contact me here! Last weekend I got to try out a new adventure - a 5k, hosted by Hermes Sports & Events. They partnered with Brewnuts, a local Cleveland joint that sells gourmet donuts and beer in a lovely, hipster atmosphere. I've never done a 5k and wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I figured something hosted by a local donut shop wasn't going to have runners with the intensity of the Boston Marathon. Plus, you got a medal AND a delicious Brewnuts donut afterward. I've been following a runner on Instagram, Mirna Valerio, (themirnavator), a plus-sized runner who does crazy long runs and looks badass doing it, and I thought to myself that it looked hella fun. I convinced my husband, Bill, and friend Ben, to accompany me. I knew I was going to have to do the 5k a little differently. I'm not supposed to run, if I can avoid it, due to my long-lasting back injury. That meant I was going to have to walk it. And so walk it we did! It was a beautiful fall day, and once we got going it was almost too warm for the layers we wore.
Positives: - No one gave us any weird looks, and we weren't the only ones walking. - I got a lot of pics with me in them. Usually, I'm the one taking the pictures, partly because I'm not always thrilled with how I look in them. But one of the things I'm working on this year is getting more with me in them, because the memories are more important than how my anxiety-riddled mind THINKS I look in them. - For $30.00, totally worth it - got a neat shirt, a medal, and a donut (not the one listed below) - I got to eat a delicious Dolce de Leche, custard-filled donut with caramelized white chocolate and kit kat bits. It was the best <insert expletive> donut I've ever had. To Strengthen: - There wasn't a lot of diversity in the race. There were a couple of us bigger ladies, but I didn't see anyone wearing Pride Pack (my own term for the LBGTQIA++ group), minorities, or differently abled folks. It was primarily white folks in their 20s, or middle-age white folks with their kids for the kids race. (Note: Brewnuts provides a *very* welcoming atmosphere, and are having a Drag Show there tomorrow, Thursday the 24th (2019). Part of this has to do with how the event was advertised, I'm sure, but there's also some other reasons I'll discuss in a future post after I have time to do more research. - Hiking/Walking Poles - I'd debated taking them, but didn't. It was only "three miles" and I *knew* no one else would have them (one person did!). I should have taken them. Walking on hard sidewalks and blacktop is more difficult for the knees and back. I could have used the support, plus you get a better workout with them. - Finally, I wish I'd spoken with more people. I don't normally go out and just talk to people, it makes me uncomfortable. But, I'd like to move out of that comfort zone a little more in the hopes of better community building and making more meaningful connections. I'm glad I did it, despite my nervousness for doing it differently than most everyone else did. It's all about the adventure, right? I definitely would like to do this in the future. Anyone interested in joining me to walk a 5k? Have you done a 5k? What did you like/not like about it? Let me know in the comments or contact me here! Categories The blog is finally up and I’m sure there won’t be any technical issues. Really, though, the internet LIED when they said it takes 15 minutes to start a blog. I like to reminisce that something outta the nightmare that was Angel Fire would’ve taken 15 minutes. Also, if you're too young to know what that is, die in a fire. This started because I wanted a platform to jot some thoughts down about hiking and adventures in general. Over the past decade I've become more interested in hiking and backpacking (only in the last year) - and increasingly frustrated by the lack of access I've experienced. The more time I spend on the trails and looking in to backpacking information, the more I discover a general lack of inclusivity and access for a number of different groups. As I've walked (usually at a VERY slow pace with my short little legs) the trails in Ohio I can't help but notice what I don't see regularly: fat girls, women of color, the Pride Pack (LBGTQIA++), disabled folks, gear that fits properly, etc. It's also difficult for those of lower economic status to get involved. And it's a problem. For example, according to Health Data, nearly two thirds of adults and thirty percent of children in the U.S. are considered to be obese or overweight. There are a LOT of us fatties. And what about all those other groups I mentioned? We should definitely be on the trails. Is it because we can't do it? No. It's not. I've been told I shouldn't be on the trail because of my back injury. Because I'm fat. That my internal organs would be crushed by the weight of a pack (WTAF, for reals). I've been followed on the trail by weird dudes, and my dogs have been attacked by other dogs that are off the leash. Then there's the absolute nightmare of finding a pack that fits and other appropriate gear. And that's partly what this blog will be about - showcasing us Misfits that have a deep-seated love of nature and adventure, and some of the struggles it takes to be involved in those adventures. As such, this page will focus on a number of goals:
I'd also like to mention, everyone's welcome to hang with the Misfit Hikers and Adventuring Co. While certain posts may feature topics like fitting a pack when you have giant ta-ta's (that's not me), a huge booty (that might be me), or no hips at all (most definitely NOT me) the entire point is that everyone should feel welcome on whatever trail or adventure they want to try. You can feel free to sign up for current blog posts to be conveniently delivered directly to your email when a new one is posted (probably once or twice a week) and follow my Instagram for Insta-updates. Seriously, sign up...cause who DOESN'T want to see adorable pictures of my dog Lucy (and others to come)... So welcome to what I hope will be a fun, engaging group of merry Misfits and Adventurers. If you have a story/experience/pic from the trail or adventure, a question, etc. contact me here be featured! So what makes you a Misfit Hiker and Adventurer? |
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