May 29, 2018
Summer
did not grow up hiking....in fact, it was pretty near the top of
things she 'would just rather not do!' The mosquitoes and cold of
Minnesota, combined with her speed and discomfort kept her off the
trails and safely ensconced in the world of writing and
photography. However, one day she moved to Portland and found
herself venturing outside. At first, she still hated it, but
it wasn't long before the beauty around her began calling her to
the trails. In her own words, "she fell in love with the air,
the moss, the views, the waterfalls, and most of all, the strength
that she felt whenever she hiked."
As she grew to love the outdoors, she also realized, more
and more, that she was not represented at all out there. A
self-proclaimed fat, queer woman, she never saw anyone like herself
on the trails. So she decided to create a community where
people like her could come together. Her goal was to make a
safe place for folks that are under-represented in the outdoors,
and she did just that by creating Fat Girls Hiking.

Now, Summer not only leads hikes and outings in the
Portland area but also has extended her reach to include
chapters in Minnesota and Tennessee. And don't let the name of the
group fool you, everyone is welcome in
Fat Girl's Hiking! Summer
has reached out to every person who is looking for a place to fall
in love with the outdoors, themselves, and life. She has
taken body-positivism, outreach, and acceptance to a whole new
level and has created something truly special. Whether it be
hiking, boxing, accessibility outings, or yoga, Summer is reaching
out and making a difference by creating a place in the outdoors for
everyone.
After I talk to Summer, join me as I share my own
Appalachian Trail Adventures. As I start my thru-hike
attempt, I encounter giants, gunfire, and spiritual renewal in the
form of red and green soda cans.