This blog was written by a Backcountry Babes Scholarship Recipient, Alexandra Weiner. Thanks to Alexandra for sharing.
I felt my chest tighten and tears welling up in my eyes as I pushed my poles into the snow and glided on to the course. “I don’t have anything to be angry about,” I thought as I made a not-so-anger-filled turn on the headwall.
I was a shy 10 year old, one of two girls in a group of twelve boys in the ‘Rangers’ Children’s program at a small ski resort in upstate New York. My 27 year old instructor was doing his best to get me amped up for the annual Ranger race, but we were speaking two entirely different languages: he was speaking aggressive attacker while I could only understand the language of confident supporter.
Fast forward to last year- I’m sitting in Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe in Breckenridge, Colorado. Standing up over the breakfast table, I was impersonating my friend’s acrobatic moves, slipping on the ice earlier that morning. As I sat back in my seat, that same friend said, “wouldn’t it be fun if we all did a hut trip later this season?” Despite no longer being a shy 10 year old, I fell quiet. I looked around the table at my experienced skier friends felt a wave the emotions of my 10 year old self.
I walked over to refill my water glass and thought to myself, ‘Will I be able to do everything they can? What if I hold the group back?’ When I rounded the corner I saw a table of women, dressed in matching hats. They appeared to be discussing a plan for the day. After their conversation came to a lull I walked over and asked what the group was all about. That’s when I learned about Backcountry Babes. I saw a group of women who looked confident and united for the day ahead. After a brief conversation with one of the leaders, I marched back to my table. “I’m in for the hut trip!”
I learned a few lessons on my first hut trip:
- Put your skins on in the house. Your frozen hands will not be able to pull apart the newly formed cement-like glue at the trailhead.
- Frozen food is not very satisfying at 15 degrees. Burritos and peanut butter snacks for the skin to the hut will freeze if they are left in an outside pocket.
- Think about training a bit. 10.6 miles carrying a 30 lb. pack, skinning for the first time will make your body feel like jello.
- Give yourself a little self care. Nalgene water bottles make excellent foam roller substitutes.
- Type II fun is still fun. Thoughts of revenge will cross your mind when you look up to see a dozen switch backs after your friend fibs about the hut being ‘just around the corner.’
But each time one of these challenges came in front of me, I remembered the Backcountry Babes, their warm smiles, confident postures, and most of all the feeling I had when I talked to them that afternoon and thought, ‘Now, those women are speaking my language.’
I want to thank the Backcountry Babes for the gift you probably didn’t even know you gave to me. I fell in love with the backcountry after that hut trip. I would be honored to have the opportunity to gain the skills I need to feel safe and even more confident in the outdoors. I hope I, too, will inspire other women to grow their confidence and get outside!
