- Meet Heather Anderson: She walked 8,000 miles in one year with a total of 28,000 miles. National Geographic named her Adventurer of the Year for making history on iconic American trails. To qualify as famous female hikers, women must complete trails like the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide. Emma “Grandma” Gatewood completed the Appalachian Trail twice.
- Arlene Blum: In 1978, she led the first all-women group to climb Annapurna I. She raised $80,000 for the climb by selling t-shirts and was the first American woman to attempt climbing Mount Everest. She also trekked the entire European Alps with her baby daughter.
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Many women’s hiking groups exist for organized group hikes. After COVID, outdoor groups rose as outdoor exercise offered escape from quarantine and was linked to better mental health.
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Science shows that being outdoors improves well-being more in women than men. Women explore more while hiking and men focus on finishing quickly.