Evelynn Escobar is aware of firsthand how exhausting it may be to really feel like an outsider within the open air. Despite the fact that she’d spent a pair years climbing native trails in Los Angeles, she didn’t go to a nationwide park till age 23—and on that journey to Zion, she discovered herself standing out as the one Black particular person among the many crowd.
After that journey she was decided to proceed discovering methods to be in nature, and in addition to verify different Black and Indigenous girls and ladies of shade have been in a position and felt snug to do the identical. In 2017, she based Hike Clerb, a nonprofit group and intersectional girls’s out of doors membership that seeks to deliver extra variety to the paths, parks and camps all through america.
“Understanding how quintessential a apply of going open air was to my very own therapeutic journey and my very own psychological well being, I spotted that I actually wanted to assist get different Black and brown girls on the market, in order that they’ll expertise what it means to only be in nature,” Escobar just lately advised “Wild Concepts Value Residing” podcast host Shelby Stanger.
Escobar’s group places on group hikes and different adventures regularly, primarily in Los Angeles and New York Metropolis. Extra just lately, Hike Clerb has expanded into different cities, like Toronto. On this movie, we meet Escobar and a Hike Clerb crew for a trek in New Mexico.
Hike Clerb is meant to be a secure house, each actually and figuratively: The organized occasions are supposed to create security for ladies hikers, particularly in additional distant areas, in addition to to supply an emotionally and socially secure house “to deliver your entire genuine self and never maintain again,” Escobar explains. “Take up house.”
To be taught extra about Hike Clerb, be part of or begin an area chapter, or donate to profit the group, go to hikeclerb.com.
The publish Introducing: Evelynn Escobar and Hike Clerb appeared first on Unusual Path – An REI Co-op Publication.
