The Squatters of the Woods

Women on the trail this time of year are few and far between. Tonight I’m sleeping in a shelter with 5 other men; sharing a privy with 5 other men and having great comrodery with 5 other men. That’s been the norm this entire trip. Now that I think of it, there’s only one night since I’ve been out here where another woman was in the shelter. (shoutout to BunnyTracks!)

The trail isn’t harder for women. Just different. Everyone has to make the climb up, then down, then around. The roots and rocks don’t care if you’re male or female-They’ll trip you just the same. The water won’t filter itself. The bear line won’t climb over that tree.

There are a few challenges that are more annoying than anything. Going to the bathroom becomes an event. Pack off. Find a hidden spot. Look left. Look right. Look up for switch backs and down for switchbacks. Repeat. Squat. (Look Left. Right. Up. Down.) Meanwhile your hiking buddies have gained a mile on you.

It’s not fun changing in the privy or hurriedly changing behind the shelter before you get caught. I’ve become a Master sleeping-bag-changer.

Men get a bad rap sometimes for being rude, but chivalry is not dead out here in the woods. 99.9% of men I’ve met out here have been respectful of my privacy and ‘ladies first’ hasn’t fallen short. I don’t want to be treated differently because I’m a woman, but it’s nice to be respected.

So here’s to the sleeping bag changers and squatters of the woods. It may be a little different for us, but we’re getting it done!