You might ask, what's so happy about hiking in November?

My reply is something along the lines of a fresh new hiking season to test and build outdoor skills, a chance to wear ALL the layers, calories to burn and then replace immediately with the best trail snacks...

Also, I'm happy to be back in the swing of gear testing, so this month's little newsletter features 3 new gear reviews.

You'll also meet some inspiring female hikers (a regular feature of this newsletter), along with hiking resources you can use as you plan your hikes.

INSPIRING FEMALE HIKERS

You can read about Maria Stubbendick, class of ’25 here:

Student finds purpose on the trail

Next, meet Mary Kae Marinac, a mother of autistic sons. She used her family hiking experiences as the impetus to start Autism Hikes!

This group of autistic people and their families from across the area hike together and inspire each other:

Her hiking group

The third group of women I'd like to highlight shared a volunteer vacation this summer in Hungry Mother State Park, VA.

If you're considering this type of vacation for 2026, their accomplishments might be inspiring!

Strong women, strong trails

This is also a great time to share an update on the effort to raise enough funds to erect 2 statues of my favorite inspiring female hiker, Grandma Gatewood, along the AT (locations to be determined).

She was the first AT female hiker, known for her marvelous gift of understatement: “I wanted to see what was on the other side of the hill.”

Not so fun fact shared by the sculptor designing the statues, Bridgette Mongeon (an inspiring artist and hiker): "Only 8% of all the sculptures in the United States are of real women."

Can that really be true??

If you would like to contribute to this GoFundMe campaign, here's how to get started:

Grandma Gatewood donations

If you're able to share this project with other potential donors, here's a direct link to the official Grandma Gatewood website:

Meet Grandma Gatewood

JUST FOR FUN

How about using the incentive of hiking trail bingo?

Reward the winner (you're playing, too, right?) with excellent hiking snacks after you hear BINGO!

(Word of warning: Any dogs in the vicinity named Bingo may arrive to share your snack.)

(Second word of warning: The song B-I-N-G-O may ear worm its way into your brain. You have been warned.)

B-I-N-G-O card for hikers

HIKING RESOURCES

Here are the details on a guide written by Syren Nagakyrie, founder and director of Disabled Hikers.

Disabled Hikers Guide

The next resources are for two sets of hikers: those among us who live in cold environments but are planning to hike in hot arid climates for a short period of time, and/or hikers in the Southern hemisphere currently enjoying the heat of high summer.

Both groups of hikers need to be prepared for the toll heat will take on the body. These resources give good tips.

Fluid imbalances and risk of heat related illness

Hydration and other tips for hikers

NEW THIS MONTH

Take a detailed look at the backpack I'm using for day hikes and overnights, 4 choices of prepared backpacking freeze dried food (2 dinner entrees paired with 2 desserts), and some durable yet comfortable clothing to wear post-hike and on car camping trips.

35L Traverse backpack review

Backpacker's Pantry freeze dried food review

Campwell clothing review

As we head into the holiday season, gift lists might be on your mind.

If you use my short, focused gift guide for gifting ideas, you'll know that you're putting the good stuff into your favorite hiker's hands.

This guide also has links to all my gift guides:

Best gifts for hikers (the stuff I use myself)

Note that the big REI Co-op 2025 pre-Thanksgiving sale starts tomorrow and runs through 11/24/2025.

Big savings, lots to choose from, two coupons you should put to good use as you choose the best gifts for hikers...

One more thing before I sign off

That's all it takes to remind me of what really matters on this planet.

As I stand there looking up into the tree, I repeat a little phrase I use when I hike: Breathing in peace, breathing out blessings to all.

I don't know if that's anything you would ever do, but I wanted to share it in case it makes sense in your world. You can change up what you breathe in and out, what counts is bringing yourself back to a good space.

Thinking of all of us hikers breathing with the trees makes me smile :)

Happy November!

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

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