Join us for the Women's Outdoors Club's EXPLORE ALABAMA CHALLENGE 2023! Look for the events coming up that will take you to all the challenge locations.
Bike, hike, run, camp, kayak or paddleboard in any or all of our challenge locations in 2023. Tag your social media post(s) with #ExploreAlabama2023 and #WomensOutdoorsClub for us to share. To receive the finisher sticker, complete at least 10 of 12 challenges and email your completed challenge log sheet by December 10, 2023 to the info@womensoutdoorsclub.com.
All participants that complete 10 of the 12 challenge locations will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win 1 of 5 raffle prizes provided by Alabama Outdoors.
If you are interested in obtaining an Explore Alabama Challenge T-shirt they are available in our store for re-order only. Ordering deadline is April 2nd. https://www.womensoutdoorsclub.com/shop.
The challenge log sheet can be downloaded here: PDF or Google Sheet
Bankhead National Forest Buck's Pocket State Park Cahaba River Park De Soto State Park Fort McClellan Trails Lake Lurleen State Park Noccalula Falls Oak Mountain State Park Pinhoti Trail Rickwood Caverns Tannehill State Park Walls of Jericho
So you want to try hiking and see if that's something you will like, or you have a few hikes under your soles and you are looking for the right gear that will make the hiking experience better? Right gear will definitely make a difference and could either make or break your hike. Keep reading to learn the three must-haves that I recommend to improve your hiking experience.
First: A long, light weight pants. Long pants will protect your legs from bugs and briars, also if you happen to fall they will protect your skin. Quality pants will last a long time.
My personal favorite is Eddie Bauer Women' Guide Pro Pants. They come in various fits: Regular, Tall, Petite and Plus. They are thin enough to wear in summer and roomy enough to wear leggings underneath in winter for extra warmth. They have pockets and come in great color options.
Second: Comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes. Hiking shoes must be tried on in person before you make the purchase. Once you know the brand, size and fit that you like you can purchase consequent pairs on line. Look for hiking shoes or trail running shoes, they will provide better comfort fit and will have non-slippery sole.
Consider waterproof hiking shoes if you plan to hike in cold temperatures. You will be crossing creeks, wet trail areas and your shoes will get wet. Waterproof shoes will keep your feet dry and comfortable.
My personal favorite is Merrell Women's Moab Waterproof Shoes. They have a great support and cushion for my feet. Hiking shoes will wear out over time. When you feel that your feet are no longer getting sole support they used to have, it's time to get a new pair.
Third: You will need a backpack that is suited for the length of your hike and that fits your back. For a short day hike you will want to bring a small, light weight pack that has room for your water, snacks and extra layer of clothing. All backpacks has size in liters. Good size for a daypack is 18-20 Liters. Look for a women's pack, they will have women's specific shoulder straps that fit better then unisex pack straps.
My favorite daypack is CamelBak Women’s Helena 20 Hiking Hydration Pack, and this is why: It has very comfortable shoulder and hip straps. Hip straps have small pockets where I can store snacks. It comes with hydration bladder that is easy to use, and very practical layout of compartments.
Let me know if you found this helpful and what gear you are using that you love.
See you on the trail soon!
Iveta
Hello, flowers. Hello, sun. Blossom by blossom, Spring has begun. Hello, April!
APRIL NEWSLETTER
We hope you are having a splendid Spring so far! Welcome new members to the Club, we're so happy to have you join us!
Additional events will be added to our event calendar. Log in to our website or app to see details and to sign up for any of our exciting outdoor adventures.
If you're not a Club member and would like to attend an event as our guest, please email us at info@womensoutdoorsclub.com
4/2 - Hike at Shoal Creek Park
4/2 - Kayak or Canoe on the Cahaba River (Family & Friends)
4/5 - Sunset Hike at Moss Rock Preserve (Family & Friends)
4/10 - Hike at Buck's Pocket State Park (Family and Friends)
4/16 - Easy Hike to Maggie's Glenn at Oak Mountain State Park (Family & Friends)
4/23 - Hike to King's Chair Loop Oak Mountain State Park
4/29 - Pinhoti Hike with Camping Option: Trammel to Bull's Gap (Family and friends)
Have a future event suggestion? Please email us at info@womensoutdoorsclub.com
We plan to hold a special outdoor event the Saturday before Mothers' Day in celebration of all caregivers...of other humans, pets, and/or self. We will have some
We plan to hold a special outdoor event the Saturday before Mothers' Day in celebration of all caregivers...of other humans, pets, and/or self. We will have some wonderful giveaways from our friends at Alabama Outdoors and Ted's Restaurant in downtown Birmingham, which we will raffle off during this event.
Calling all of our business owners: if you would like to donate a gift or service for our Club to use as additional raffle prizes, please let us know by emailing us at info@womensoutsdoorsclub.com
These items should be on your easy to moderate day hike checklist:
We've extended the deadline to pre-order your Explore Alabama Challenge t-shirt to May 1st.
We had some fantastic fun hikes and mountain bike rides in March!!
All participants who complete 12 of the 24 Challenge locations will be entered for a chance to win 1 of 5 raffle prizes provided by Alabama Outdoors. Check out our website for further details.
As a WOC member, you will save 10% off your purchases at any of the seven Alabama Outdoors stores, just show your membership card located in our app.
REMINDER: Participants must sign up for events they plan to attend so that we can communicate last minute changes due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you have any questions related to membership, leading events, or anything else, please reach out to us by emailing info@womensoutdoorsclub.com
MARCH NEWSLETTER
Hello everyone, happy almost Spring! Welcome new members to the Club, we're so happy to have you join us!
3/4-3/6 Camp and Play in Cloudland Canyon State Park (camper or tent)
3/5 Hike at Oak Mountain State Park
3/6 Easy MTB Ride at Cahaba River Park
3/12 Hike at Oak Mountain State Park
3/13 Moss Rock Hike and Pizza ( hike and/or social time)
3/13 MTB Ride at Fort McClellan Bike Trails
3/19 Mountain Biking 101 for Beginners (No bike no problem!)
3/20 Hike to Peavine Falls via Green Trail at Oak Mountain State Park
3/26 MTB ride at Noccalula and Lunch (Gadsden)
3/27 Pinhoti Section Hike - CCC Campground to Caperton's Store
Ivey, pictured here with her dog, Thunder, owns The Pet Nanny pet sitting business. She and her team work 7 days per week, they do drop-in visits, doggy daycare, overnight boarding and house/pet sitting. Call Ivey at 205-908-7119
Kelsi is a a licensed Real Estate agent and independent contractor with RealtySouth, Homewood. She specializes in residential home buying and selling in the Birmingham area. Call Kelsi at 334-354-8380
Tess runs Sparkstone Media, a communications design, illustration, business management, grant-writing and events manager business. She works virtually and in-person. Email Tess at tess@sparkstonemedia.com
In our Hiking and Camping Forum, Flo, our resident camping and backpacking expert, shared valuable information about "The Big Three". Go check out the Forum! Flo also led a "Backpacking 101" class during our fabulous camping weekend at Flagg Mountain.
In February we camped, hiked, roasted marshmallows, and hung out with Nimblewill Nomad, who at 83 years young, made history in November of 2021 as the oldest hiker to complete the roughly 2,190 mile-long Appalachian Trail. It was a pleasure to spend time with him! What a great weekend we had!
We are ready for the outdoors!
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
Hello everyone, Happy February!
Welcome new members to the club, we're so happy to have you join us! We are 77 members strong and growing each day!
Below are some fun events we have scheduled for February. Additional events will be added to our event calendar. Log in to our website or app to see details and to sign up for any of our exciting outdoor adventures.
02/ 03, 10, 17, 24, 2022: Thursday Night Mountainbike Ride at OMSP
02/05/22: King's Chair Hike at Oak Mountain State Park
02/06/22: Moss Rock Hike and Tacos ( hike and/or social time)
02/12/22: Vulcan Trail Walk and Stretch, then Lunch at Ted's
02/13/22: MTB Ride at Cahaba River Park (Family & Friends)
02/19-02/20/22: Backpacking 101 at Flagg Mountain
02/27/22: Hike the Cheaha Mountain - Alabama Highpoint and Cave Creek Loop
Please feel free to email us your suggestions for future events
Join us for the WOC's EXPLORE ALABAMA CHALLENGE 2022! Look for the events coming up that will take you to all the challenge locations. All participants who complete 12 of the 24 Challenge locations will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win 1 of 5 raffle prizes provided by Alabama Outdoors. Check out our website for further details.
Find yourself in our Club event photos.
Please remember that we need to have participants signed up for events you plan to attend so that we can communicate last minute changes due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
by emailing info@womensoutdoorsclub.com
Join us for the Women's Outdoors Club's EXPLORE ALABAMA CHALLENGE 2022! Look for the events coming up that will take you to all the challenge locations.
Bike, hike, run, camp, kayak or paddleboard in any or all of our challenge locations in 2022. Tag your social media post(s) with #ExploreAlabama2022 and #WomensOutdoorsClub for us to share. To receive the finisher sticker, complete at least 12 of 24 challenges and email your completed challenge log sheet to the info@womensoutdoorsclub.com.
All participants that complete 12 of the 24 challenge locations will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win 1 of 5 raffle prizes provided by Alabama Outdoors.
If you are interested in obtaining an Explore Alabama Challenge T-shirt they are available to preorder in our website's online store.
Bankhead National Forest Buck's Pocket State Park Cahaba River Park Cathedral Caverns State Park Cheaha State Park Chewacla State Park Chief Ladiga Trail DeSoto State Park Dismals Canyon Dugger Mountain Wilderness Fort McClellan Trails Hurricane Creek Park Lake Guntersville State Park Little River Canyon Monte Sano State Park Noccalula Falls Oak Mountain State Park Pinhoti Trail Red Mountain Park Ruffner Mountain Park Sipsey Wilderness Tannehill State Park Vulcan Trail Walls of Jericho
Below are some of the fun events we will start the year off with. Log in to our website or app to see details and to sign up for any of our exciting outdoor adventures. We can't wait to see you here, there, and everywhere!
(Must log in to see the details)
01/01/22: New Year's Day Easy Hike and Easy Standing Yoga (Family)
01/02/22: MTB Ride at Cahaba River Park (Family & Friends)
01/08/22: Ruffner Mountain Hike
01/09/22: Moss Rock Hike and Tacos ( hike and/or social time)
01/13, 20, 27 /2022: Thursday Night Mountainbike Ride at OMSP
01/22/22: Mountain Biking 101 for Beginners (No bike no problem!)
01/23/22: MTB Ride at Cahaba River Park
01/29/22: Noccalula Mountain Bike Ride and Lunch (Family and friends)
And we have several events already scheduled for February and March!!
We also want to hear your suggestions for future events. What are you interested in doing outdoors with a cool group of girlfriends in 2022?
Let us know!!
*All events are subject to change due to weather conditions.
Women's Outdoors Club, Inc.3179 Green Valley Rd., Suite 508Birmingham, AL 35243info@womensoutdoorsclub.com
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Credits: Logo / Lidija Namike | Photos / Molly Sinclair Thomas
