 *Misfit Showcase!*
“Growing up in the outdoors was a huge part of my identity but I often referred to myself as ‘My dad’s favorite son’ as a joke because my two brothers didn’t feel the connection to the outdoors that I shared with my dad. Although I had this connection with the earth and the biological entities and non-biological elements within, I deeply believed that being female and belonging in nature wasn’t possible. Things have definitely changed within the last 15 years because I now see a part of my identity represented in the outdoors, but as a white, cisgender female, I know that it is only a small shift for inclusion. I want all people with all their identities to feel like they belong in the natural world, because that is the way to make meaningful and honest connections with the world in which we live. You belong, exactly as you are.— Bethany (@bethanyrenn) . Pronouns: She/Her . [Image Description: Bethany grins, facing the camera. She wears a dark blue jacket trimmed in grey with a black knit cap. Her cheeks are rosy and while the sun is shining, snow covers the background and pine trees can be seen.]
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 *Misfit Showcase!*
. “I love hiking. I've never been athletic and I never thought I would be training for something, especially hiking. Now I lead a hiking group at my daytime job and I am an active hike leader with an amazing group- the San Antonio Plus Size Women's Hiking Group (168 members strong). I am hiking the Ultimate Hike in April of 2020 in the Sam Houston National Forest with a few other ladies from my group. This is a 22.7-mile hike (that's just short of a marathon) done in one day - benefiting children's cancer research through CureSearch. We need help fundraising. In order to hike, we each have to fundraise $2500 and we can't do that alone. We are doing this for the children, the cure, and for ourselves. I'm doing it for every time I felt like I couldn't. And every time I know now that I can.—Linsey, (@lindseyxcole). . Pronouns: she/hers . Please feel free to share, and check out the blog (link in bio or linktr.ee/misfithikers) to read past showcases! . Lindsey would like to give a shout-out to -- San Antonio Plus Size Women's Hiking Group (168 members strong) @sa_plus_sized_women_hiking. We are a group of brave, strong, incredibly lively, and diverse misfit hikers of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. We know that the size of our bodies does not determine the size of our journey. . 📍 Lost Maples State Natural Area (Texas) - Land originally held in stewardship by the Apache, Lipan Apache, Comanche and possibly others. . [Image Description: Lindsey sits with her leg dangling on the edge of a rocky cliff. She's wearing black leggings, a grey cami, and white jacket with her hair tied in a messy bun. She looks out at a vista green mountains.]  “I grew up during the last years when kids were still allowed to be wild. We played outside all day, free and in nature. When I became an adult, my priorities changed, and I studied hard, went to medical school and became a doctor. It was an all enveloping process that took up a decade of my life, and I stopped making time to be outside. During my training I suffered an injury that almost cost me my medical career, and made it difficult for me to walk for several years. I retreated inward and was lost in anxiety and depression. Gradually, I started to heal, physically and mentally, and I finished my training. I found I had more time for myself, and I started hiking anytime I could. I wanted to be closer to the wilderness that I loved so much, so I moved my family across the country to Oregon. Now I live in a valley surrounded by mountains, and I hike or ski any chance I get. The outdoors has been my saving grace, and hiking has helped me find calmness in a world that fills me with anxiety. I couldn’t be more thankful.”—Jenny (@doctorofacertainsize)
. Pronouns: She/Hers . 📍Oregon Coast, this land originally held in stewardship by the Tillamook, Chinookan, Nez Perce, Modoc, Conferederated Tribes of Coos, Coquille, Clatsop, Cayuse, Shasta, Walla Walla and other tribes.  This past weekend, Lucy and I took to the wide-open road and drove about an hour out to Ravenna to try a new portion of the Buckeye Trail – the West Branch Loop – which looped around the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir. It was a lovely trail, for the most part, and really challenging! It took just about six hours for us to complete it (we stopped for lunch partway through for a half hour), and I’m glad I had my headlamp. It was completely dark by the time we got back to the car. Read on to find out why and to check out all the pics! Details: -Length: 9.4 miles -Elevation: 535 ft. The Good: -It had some very beautiful spots, really gorgeous. I bet it’s awesome in summer! -It was remote – I didn’t see anyone else on the trail, and for most of it couldn’t hear any cars, etc. -Enough of a challenge to make it interesting The Bad: -Because it doesn’t seem to be traversed often, you really gotta keep your eyes open for the Buckeye Trail blue blazes that are painted on the trees. Some are faded, and some are spread a little far apart. I didn’t have any issues and didn’t have to backtrack at all, but you DO really need to watch. I *did* check my AllTrails App a couple of times, just to be sure I was on the right path. -Remember how I mentioned it was a really challenging hike? That’s because the first half of it was definitely in a state of thawing mud – I’ve never been on a trail like that before – where the mud took on this half frozen weirdly inflated feel. So basically every time I stepped my foot went down and in different directions. Not sure how else to describe it, but it made for slow going and really sore feet the next day. So hiker, beware! May want to wait until it’s dried out a bit more. The Ugly: -Holy crap – there are two places, at either end of the loop, where you have to walk on the road for a little bit. Fairly common with the BT. 
The Good:
-It had some very beautiful spots, really gorgeous. I bet it’s awesome in summer! -It was remote – I didn’t see anyone else on the trail, and for most of it couldn’t hear any cars, etc. -Enough of a challenge to make it interesting The Bad: -Because it doesn’t seem to be traversed often, you really gotta keep your eyes open for the Buckeye Trail blue blazes that are painted on the trees. Some are faded, and some are spread a little far apart. I didn’t have any issues and didn’t have to backtrack at all, but you DO really need to watch. I *did* check my AllTrails App a couple of times, just to be sure I was on the right path. -Remember how I mentioned it was a really challenging hike? That’s because the first half of it was definitely in a state of thawing mud – I’ve never been on a trail like that before – where the mud took on this half frozen weirdly inflated feel. So basically every time I stepped my foot went down and in different directions. Not sure how else to describe it, but it made for slow going and really sore feet the next day. So hiker, beware! May want to wait until it’s dried out a bit more. The Ugly: -Holy crap – there are two places, at either end of the loop, where you have to walk on the road for a little bit. Fairly common with the BT. Probably around a mile and a half or two miles total. Not a super big deal, but the one side for about a half miles was a VERY busy road. Semis and cars driving by one after the other at high speeds, and you have to walk about 3 feet from them for most of it due to a bridge with no sidewalk. HIKER BEWARE. It felt dangerous and I carried my dog for the duration of it. In the end, I'll definitely do it again some Saturday. Lovely day hike. But I'll wait, for sure, until it's dried out a bit! Have you hiked West Branch Loop or another portion of the Buckeye Trail? Comment below or email me here!  “Lonesome lobo. Rockabilly. Lowrider. Oldies all day. Greaser. Mechanic. Mack trucks Chicano. Honky tonker. Vegetarian. Buddhist teachings. Hiker. Traveler. Animal rights. Colorado. Cali. Tattoo luv 🖤. Found my biological father and family 2 years ago at the age of 41. Amazing story there. Highly impacted over last few years by a massive brain tumor. Radiation in 2018-19 and serious side effects. With the luv of friends and family, I healed and moved forward changing my world. I still have to perform MRI’s every 6 months as long as I live to monitor the brain tumor. And at the same time I’m pursuing my passions. On day one, NOT one day. Lost 80lbs. Active every single day. And learning so much of the hiker life and enjoying hikes religiously with just the sounds of nature. Life is short and beautiful. Embrace the day. Embrace your close ones. And embrace yourself 🖤. — (Maurice, @Lone_some_lobo)
. . Pronouns: None (El Lobo) . . [Image Description: Maurice rides a drop seat, custom motorcycle on a paved road, with trees, a sidewalk, and signs in the background. Maurice wears a plaid, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Maurice wears glasses and has a moustache and goatee.]  This is from my first real winter hike of 2020, where the ground was frozen, the air crisp, the sky clear, and the beauty was REAL. I doubt I would have given this trail a try, if I hadn't strained a muscle and needed something a bit more on the chill side. Normally, I much prefer loop trails – I’ve found I really dislike retracing my steps on a hike. While I’ve found I can do the same loop over and over, covering the same ground in the same day makes the hike feel MUCH longer to me. I’m very glad I got the opportunity to hike this trail – it’s very pretty and removed from the road for the most part. It’s shorter – 3.3 miles – without much elevation, so it’s ideal for those just starting out, folks with minor injuries, or if you just want a quick out and about. They called it a “primitive trail,” which meant it narrowed to single file in sections, but was otherwise well maintained and very easy to follow/well marked.
Here’s all the pertinent details: · Loop Trail · 3.3 Miles · 308 Ft. Elevation · Dogs Allowed: Yes · Wheelchair Accessible: No Positives · I didn’t see anyone else on the trail, despite the “moderately trafficked” rating on AllTrails. My guess is it’s fairly deserted in winter. · It’s very pretty in spots, with several minor creek crossings. · There’s an archery range at the trailhead, be kind of neat to do both in a day! (note: have to bring your own bow/arrows, but it’s free and open to the public) Negatives · The “Top of the World” was a bit confusing. I went the little extra bit to check it out, and truthfully, I didn’t think the view was all that – it was pretty, but nothing really out of the ordinary. · It’s 3.3 miles – a very pretty hike, but the downside is that this loop doesn’t connect to any other trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so there isn’t really an option to extend your hike if you want to. Have you hiked Adams Run? Have a trail recommendation? Let me know below or email me here!  “I was always very active, ate well, etc. I never thought I'd experience challenges and setbacks regarding my health. However, in 2013, I had my first, major intracerebral hemorrhage. It was caused by a CVA (cavernous amgioma) or CVM (cavernous malformation). A CVA is a cluster of blood vessels that leak through their own walls. Mine was located deep within my brain, in an area my neurosurgeon called "high real estate". Surgery was too risky. We hoped that this would be a one time event. Unfortunately, I had several more bleeds and another major hemorrhage in 2016. To save my life, they had to operate. I am extremely fortunate to be alive despite my cognitive and physical deficits. I'm in pain continually. But nature is my therapy, and I get out as much as I can. My advice? Accept help. Much love to all misfit hikers out there!—Dana, (@mrs.hangle).
. Pronouns: She/Her . Dana would like to give a shout-out: I am not affiliated with a group, but one thing I feel strongly about is the appropriation of Indigenous traditions and ceremonies in ecotherapy. I would just encourage people to refrain from partaking in cultural activities, which are not their own. Don't be taken financially and emotionally by people claiming to be able to use Indigenous events in nature if they are not Indigenous themselves. In kindness, Dana  Do you leash your beast when you're on the trail? You should.
The picture above is me on the trail with my 14 pound cairn terror (er...terrier), Lucy. My other three dogs are all under thirty pounds. They're small. Last summer, Lucy and I were on the trail. I had my full backpack on and we were strolling along on a trail, when out of nowhere a very large white Samoyed came running towards us. Keep in mind I carry mace and a knife, but I had no time to get either before the dog was on Lucy (really, I used to hang the mace around my neck and I'm fairly sure if I'd taken the time to get it organized, Lucy would be dead). There was a group of four about 50 feet behind him, yelling “don't worry, he’s super friendly!” Really? FUCK YOU. And they continued to do so as he jumped on Lucy. He hadn’t bitten her but was growling/snapping and bringing his paw down on her heavily, like a dog would with a mole. I started beating him with my hiking pole (didn’t even blink), while my dog yelped in pain from the trouncing. I tried to swing her around and away, but her harness isn’t made for lasso-like action and by the second time she slipped it and tried to run. I screamed for them to get their dog, and the woman finally got there. Lucy, the other dog swatting her in to the underbrush and clearly snapping now, realized she was running from safety and managed to get back to me, and the woman finally got the other dog. Amidst the “he’s always super friendly, he never does anything like this!” I completely lost my *{%~. While she apologized profusely, her friends- still on down the trail- were laughing loudly. I also had a few choice words for them. We were attacked three times on the trail by loose dogs over the summer. I walk with my mace in my hand now. Folks on the trail have a right to be on it with the expectation that people will follow park rules. So why leash your dog? - it's park rules - your dog might be friendly, but other dogs (or people) might not be - you are responsible if your dog bites someone or another dog. It is your fault. - you may think your dog is adorable, but other people don't know your dog - if a dog runs up on me again and goes to attack, my goal will be to kill that dog or injure it enough to get it away - helps you keep it away from wildlife - like bears and coyotes Look, even if your dog is well trained, and normally stays with you, you never know - maybe there will be fireworks or gunshots in the distance, maybe your dog will be injured and run........OR maybe there will be wildlife that will attack your dog. And because you don't have a means of controlling your dog, you've now placed your dog in greater danger. I've heard the argument, "But I want my hands free when I hike - it's a safety thing." I agree, but your dog doesn't have to be loose for you to have your hands free. I use a longer leash and use a carabiner to attach the leash to my pack/belt/etc. Even if your dog is the most well trained dog and never leaves your side, parks aren't your backyard. If it's park rules, please follow them. It may sound harsh, but it really scared me. After posting about the experience, the number of folks that responded with similar stories truly surprised me. In years past, I didn't always used to leash my dog. I was that person. I'm not that person anymore. I learned why it was a problem, and corrected my behavior. It's all about learning and moving forward. Leashing your dog is such an easy way to be respectful of others in the outdoors. Do you have a dog? Do you leash them? Why or why not? Feel free to comment below or email me.  “I've always loved the outdoors. As a child my family would take a few camping trips every summer. It wasn't until I was much older when I found my passion for hiking. The very first time hiking was actually on a date. I am a bigger girl so I was concerned that I wasn't going to be able to keep up or that I would be huffing and puffing and just have a miserable time. I was wrong! We did a pretty short hike but it was still challenging enough. I was huffing and puffing a bit lol, but honestly I didn't care because I was having so much fun. On that day not only did I find my passion for hiking but it also jumpstarted my passion for photography. Nothing ever ended up evolving with the guy I went on a date with, but I am grateful I went and that he introduced me to a hidden passion. – Angelica (@thethickhiker)
. Pronouns: She/Hers . Tag #misfithikers to be showcased! . [Image Description: Angelica stands on a snow-covered path with pines in the distance, wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, black tights with green at the bottom, and a black patterned buff across her face. Her brown hair hangs long and loose. She's holding skis/trekking poles and wearing snowshoes. ]   “I am overweight. I have had 13 surgeries in the past 15 years. I struggle with bipolar, borderline personality disorder and social anxiety. The trails have saved me from myself, they have brought me closer to my husband and pups, and I’m starting to be more comfortable being in social situations. I still take meds, but less of them thanks to nature. And I’m not ashamed of that. I am a misfit hiker who has been saved by the trails and the trees.” – Nicole (@cardinalroots)
. Pronouns: She/Hers . 📣Nicole would like to give a shout-out to: Hiker Babes Central Oregon! (@hiker_babes_oregon, #hikerbabesoregon) . Click here to be showcased! . [Image Description: Pic 1 – Nicole, smiling in a black long-sleeved v neck shirt with a black string necklace and medallion, stands looking towards the sky with puffy white and golden clouds behind her, mountains in the distance. The sun gleams in the right corner. Pic 2: Nicole grins at the camera, wearing a white t-shirt and black-strapped backpack, in a sepia/black and pic, shot on a wooden-railed bridge, with water below in a canyon, trees and shrubs all around.] What do rock stacks have to do with Leave No Trace? Apparently, a lot. More scientists, conversationists, and park rangers are requesting that folks stop rock stacking when they're out and about on the trail. Why's it a big deal? Is it actually a big deal?
Where the heck does rock stacking even come from? Well, according to my Cairn Terriers, Lucy and Charlie, rock stacks aren't real "Cairns," which are dedicated memorials or landmarks. These rock stacks that are cropping up throughout the wild woods are done more for artistic or "fun" reasons. Sometimes, for meditation - and the popularity of them may have sprung up from a 1987 new age movement called the Harmonic Convergence. I belong to a number of hiking groups on FB (imagine that) - and I've seen this topic crop up a number of times recently. And it's always incredibly and unnecessarily tense. The counter-arguments usually focus on how extreme it is to target things like rock stacks as part of Leave No Trace, and if the environment survives hikers, kayakers, etc. it can survive a couple of rocks stacked up. It isn't always just one or two rocks - many beaches in the Northwest and other areas are completely covered with rocks stacks and a lot of them. (Please click links for slideshow pic credits). Parks have specific guidelines, as well as the Leave No Trace Principles, that help to curtail the impact humans have in those areas. It's important to abide by them, even if they don't make sense at the moment. Like the rock stacks, or staying on the path. Moving rocks can impact the natural habitat for those critters that call it home. It can disrupt waterways. It affects game trails. When you move a rock, you might also be unknowingly moving critters, fungus, bacteria, seeds, etc. to another area that didn't have those types before. For example, someone on Insta gathered rocks from five different state parks they visited and in the final one made a rock stack. Cool idea, except they most likely brought in seeds, etc. from other states that may not have been present. Also, safety, first! A lot of National Parks and hiking areas use stacked rocks (actual cairns) to mark paths - such as Dolly Sods in P.A. Hikers can easily get lost when you start adding your own directional markers. Rock stacks can be beautiful - they really are art - and made of "natural" bits, so it's easy to forget that just because it's pretty, doesn't mean it doesn't have a negative effect. And that when you're in the great wild, that it doesn't belong to you - it isn't your backyard. You're a steward of the land you visit. So remember, leave it how you found it or with as little impact as possible. Leave No Trace isn't about doing it perfectly - and I'll say this again and again and again. But it is about learning, growing, and doing what you can when you can. What do you think about rock stacking? Leave a comment below or contact me here.  *MISFIT HIKER SHOWCASE*
“I found myself lost living in a new state and needing another change in life in 2016. I came across the 52 Hike Challenge and that was the beginning of my hiking lifestyle. My first thoughts were there's no way I can complete 52 hikes in a year; one hike a week. Funny part was that I found myself hiking more than that per week. I found myself seeing Arizona like no regular people would see it. Hiking has taught me to be more calm and to challenge myself physically and mentally. Finding myself pregnant at 43, wondering how was I going to continue hiking with a child, has been the best experience ever. Teaching and raising my daughter to love the outdoors has brought me more close to nature. Before moving to Arizona, I wasn't a hiker -now I'm glad hiking has become the most important part of my lifestyle.” — Michelle, (@hikerocknroll). . . Pronouns: She/Hers . Michelle is an ambassador for the Phoenix Hikerbabes Chapter in Arizona. She runs the chapters facebook page and started an Instagram page to share the Phoenix ladies photos from their adventures. Her goal is to encourage other like-minded women to get outdoors. . . Tag #misfithikers to be showcased! . [Image Description: A woman with tats, wearing a pink brimmed ballcap, black shorts, and glasses, walks on a dirt path in the desert. She has on a backpack with blueish straps. She is smiling down at a toddler wearing a pink t-short and short. The toddler is carrying a babydoll wearing a blue/green outfit. Mountains rise in the background, and scraggly brush and rocks dot either side of the trail.]  Why is it so expensive to "go green"? Cost doesn't just deter folks from getting involved in outdoor activities and adventures, but from going "green." Let's face it, it's a privilege to be able to focus on earth-green instead of money-green. Lots of my friends share articles all the time on things you can easily do, but they almost always cost $$ and sometimes a lot of it - everything from recyclable bamboo toilet paper and installing solar lights, to buying bulk at Whole Paycheck Foods (their food is amazing, just expensive for a lot of folks). It's easy to say not to use one-off plastics when you don't live in Flint, MI and rely on bottled water. Even the blue recycle bags required by many cities cost anywhere from .25 to .40 cents a bag. It adds up, and quickly. Luckily, though, there's lots of things you can do that will help the environment AND not cost you big bucks. Check out some ideas below:
- Cutting down on single use plastics:
- At home:
- Out...or In...with the Old
Obviously, this list is FAR from exhaustive. And it's never about doing it all, or doing it perfectly - it's about doing what you can, when you can. If you can afford the big-ticket green items, go for it, if not, then implement what you're able to without breaking the bank. Going greener doesn't have to be privilege, we just make it seem like that. What are some ways you've implemented affordable "green" or "sustainable" changes in your life/home? Comment below or contact me here!  *MISFIT HIKERS SHOWCASE*
. “Growing up in a city and the youngest of 4 kids in the 1960s, I always felt a little out of the mainstream, a misfit. Most of my friends and family were city people but I was drawn to nature from my earliest memories. My favorite TV shows were about nature and I took every opportunity to get out of the city and go walking in the woods. . As I grew older, I also increasingly became aware of another unusual feeling. You see, I was assigned male at birth based upon my genitilia like everyone is. But they couldn't see my heart, soul and mind. At this time there was no Internet, no support groups, no words to describe my feelings. So I followed the path that was given to me. It wasn't my path but it was my only choice. . By the early 1970s I began to understand that I wasn't alone. But the information was still sparse and erroneous. So I struggled with this civil war in my soul, seeking help through counseling and reading anything I could get my hands on. . But I didn't fit neatly into a box or label...I was a true misfit. This lasted for over 40 years cycling episodes of depression and confusion with episodes of certainty that I wasn't Transgender. But I was. . Finally in 2008 I began my journey to myself and came out publicly in 2016. I couldn't be happier (other than losing some "friends and family"). And all through this my love of hiking has sustained me. Before my transition (gender revelation, not transition), I hiked to run away from myself by taking on the personna of a rugged "mountain man". Now that I've shed my lies, I hike as the woman I've always been without pretension and unafraid to show my full self as a Tomboy kind of woman, being a badass hiker chick! And I finally love my life!” – Stephanie (@Trans_zen_hiker_nhsteph) . . Pronouns: She/Her/Hers . . Tag #misfithikers to be showcased! . [Image Description: Stephanie stands smiling as she pulls a grey glove from her hand. She is wearing a blue skirt, black leggings, black long-sleeved shirt and a blue buff. Her cheeks are rosy and her blond hair tied in a pony tail. Tall, snow-covered pine trees line both sides of a snow covered path. Orange hiking poles stand crossed, off to one side.]  *MISFIT SHOWCASE!*
“Hi. My name is Shaun. I’m a misfit all around. I believe boxes are best for cats not for humans so I am myself 100% of the time. I struggle with drug resistant severe depression and anxiety. I try to find the positive and the humor in everything. When I’m not working (I manage a Tea bar where the workers lovingly refer to me as “dad”) you can definitely find me outside. It’s where I feel most happy, free, and at peace. I hike, skateboard, trail run, and explore (both solo and with friends) and have for as long as I can remember. My philosophy in outdoors and life is “you do you!”—Shaun, (@Dykesonhikes) . . Pronouns: she/her or they/them . 📍 Chico, California – This land was originally held in stewardship by the Mechoopda Maidu peoples and others. . Tag #misfithikers to be showcased! . [Image Description: Smiling in sunglasses and a black t-shirt with a white “Unlikely Hikers” t-shirt, Shaun stands clasping a grey and black backpack shoulder straps. Behind her is a vista of scrub brush, and tall pines and mountains can be seen in the background.]   Safety on the trail is a hot topic currently and apparently it's mostly in regards to women. This is my surprised face. I belong to a bunch of hiking groups for Ohio on FB, and in the last few weeks several women have asked a) if as a woman, they will be safe if they hike alone and b) what folks use to stay safe while on the trail.
I was shocked at the majority of responses (over 80) that said gun & a CCW...and not one person, besides me, said a GPS satellite communicator amidst the spackling of other suggestions (pepper spray, don't hike alone, tell someone...basically another blog post at some point). Fuck that noise, noting that I have nothing against guns (I'm too clumsy to carry, not to mention I'm guessing someone would wait till they were right next to me to attack me and getting the gun pulled at that point would be quite difficult). However, this isn't to debate guns on the trails, but one particular way that can help you stay safe - GPS Communicators. Because, in reality, you're much more likely to fall, become seriously ill, etc. on the trail than you are to be attacked by a person. In fact, one of my biggest sources of anxiety was getting in to an area, having an issue like a seriously fall or coming across someone in need of help, and not being able to contact anyone. It freaked my family out, too. With the Garmin InReach, that's not an issue anymore - and I can see it's practicality, not just in hiking, but all sorts of situations - like a car accident in a rural area without service (check out my previous article on all the benefits of a GPS Communicator here). So what's awesome about it? Well, it's small - 3.9 x 2 x 1 inches and weights only 3.5 ounces. Weight reallllly matters to me with my back injury, and was one of the main reasons I hadn't picked one up previously. What I Love - pls bear in mind I have the cheapest subscription option...:
Downsides:
I've used the Garmin InReach Mini on quite a few trips now, and EVERY. SINGLE. MESSAGE I've sent has made it through, even when in valleys, in the snow, and it's overcast with tree cover. At some point, I'll go over one that I tried before the Garmin that wasn't quite as...successful, as well as how to stay safe against predators - both human and animal. Do you use a GPS Satellite Communicator? Why or why not? Do you like it? Leave a comment below or contact me here!  “I was never much for the outdoors- even living in Colorado - until I got my pup Callie. I am so thankful to her and her love for the outdoors. I had a hard couple of years between my health and family and being outside has brought a calmness back to my life. Nature has become my happy place, my getaway Hiking has changed my outlook on adventures in general. There are so many place I want to visit and see!! I started my insta since I saw few people that looked like me out of my local trails. I wanted to show others that you don’t have to be a certain type to enjoy the outdoors!!” – Natalie (@Chubbygirlhikes)
. Pronouns: She/Her . 📍 Mt. Cutler, Colorado area, this land was originally held in stewardship by the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and possibly others. . Tag #MisfitHikers to be showcased! . [Description of Image: A smiling girl stands in a pink sleeveless top, black tights, and a black ball- on an outcropping of rock with scraggly brush and red-rock behind her, a green vista in the distance. A white dog with a black patch of fur on her eye stands next to her.]  How do you medically advocate for yourself? For those of you that follow along, you know that I went to the Cleveland Clinic main campus ER about a month ago for a severe back pain issue and the experience was less than stellar. It was actually awful, mainly because the doctor failed to adequately manage the pain, attempt to find a diagnosis, or come up with a treatment plan. I did a follow up post regarding the very well documented dismissal of women, people of color, people of size, etc. who complain of pain. So now, the final post - how to medically advocate for yourself.
It's important to be able to do so, especially if you're an adventurer, because even if you don't have chronic pain there's a fairly high likelihood that you'll injure yourself in some way at some point. So here's a few tips and tricks to make sure that you're diagnosed and treated. Do not let them shame you. Being fat or old or gay is not a moral issue. YOU ARE A PERSON AND DESERVING OF TREATMENT. Do not allow yourself to be dismissed - you know your body - insist on care. It could save your (or a loved one's) life. If you're doctor isn't taking your pain or issue seriously, ask for another doctor. You're having real fucking symptoms, don't let them make you feel bad for having them. When my grandmother had a stroke, she was definitely not getting the care she needed at the rinky dink hospital she was at. They refused to do any tests to see if she'd had a stroke, etc. In fact, they insisted she was simply dehydrated and refused to do anything at all except IV saline. We insisted she be transferred to another hospital, which took my father and I driving to main and not budging an inch. The doctor was later fired, and my grandmother was transferred to a larger hospital able to get her the care she needed (and responded to). If you have a chronic issue or long-term disease, carry your medical records with you. You can get a free dropbox account to store them, or email them to yourself. Don't depend on your phone, in case you don't have it when you go. Next, question, question, question and be sure to communicate concerns and desires. There are some questions you can write out beforehand (and give to a friend), so they're stuck in your mind and ready to go. When in the ER, especially, it can be stressful and overwhelming, making it very easy to get confused/forget to ask the important stuff. Some questions to ask if you go to your regular doc/doc in a box: - What do you believe the issue is? - Why do you believe it is xyz? - Is there a test to confirm that? Why are you/are you not confirming? - I am in a significant amount of pain - what is the plan to treat it? Why are we treating it in that way? - Why hasn't my pain been addressed yet? - If your symptoms persist, do NOT be afraid to go to another doctor, even if you like the one you have. Different doctors have different knowledge bases and experiences. If you’re in the Hospital or ER, then add these questions on:
I'd like to mention that the Cleveland Clinic is one of the top rated hospitals in the country. I have had wonderful treatment there. However, this ER needs to get its shit together. I still have nightmares about it. I'm definitely implementing these, so I can be better prepared if there's a next time. Hopefully, they also help you or a loved one. If you have any tips to add, please feel free to comment below or contact me here.  The new year is upon us! New decade, the return of the roaring twenties, what's not to love?
This is the year that I was able to not just start hiking again, but hiking like a fiend. So many firsts - 12 new trails, first backpacking trip, first time night hiking, first time hiking 3 times a week, first time hiking 500 miles in six months (or a year!), first time starting a business on my own, first time leading a clean-up hike, first time using instagram for something other than posting adorable dog pictures (well, I *may* still do that).... This is the year I started Misfit Hikers & Adventure, Co. The year I realized that there's a LOT of folks out there that are just like me - who want to enjoy the outdoors and the adventures that exist in this great big world, but who don't always feel like they belong or that have to do it a little differently. There's so many wonderful hiking groups here in Ohio, but none with quite the slant of MHAC. I'm truly thankful for those that are a part of the Misfit Community and the perspectives they're willing to bring to the table with such enthusiasm. MHAC is still finding refining its voice and slowly but surely figuring out what the next steps are, because I, as in Jenn, is still figuring this thing out. For 2020 there's a few new things that Misfit Hikers would like to try: - Organized Hikes for fellow Misfits! - Keep showcasing folks and getting other narratives out there - A talk or two about gear/hiking/etc. - Find a partner out there in the great void of sponsers, so I can maybe get a bit more reach - Keep the blog going twice a week So thank you to everyone that supported MHAC this year - your support has made all the difference! Wish me luck, and welcome aboard for the wild ride that will be the first year of the new decade! Any suggestions to help grow Misfit Hikers? Want to participate in the upcoming fun? Comment below or email me here. |
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