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We are excited to announce the 2024 State Park Challenge. Challenge is open to club members and Public. Non-club members would have to complete challenge locations on their own.

We would like to encourage you to get out and enjoy our 24 beautiful state parks and what they offer. There are 2 different options you may participate in:

• OPTION 1: State Park visits only (does not require an activity), or
• OPTION 2: GET OUT and GET MOVIN'!!! State Park visits with a hiking/walking or biking activity.

If you don't complete miles in all parks visited, you will be qualified for option Nr. 1.

Challenge has a registration fee of $15 to participate. Click here to register.

In order to receive credit for visiting a state park or your activity, you must complete the Challenge Form. The reporting of visits and mileage is on an honor system and miles not recorded on a form will not be credited towards the challenge. Link to challenge form will be emailed to you when you purchase the registration.

Challenge Details:

There are 24 beautiful state parks in our great state that begs to be visited. For this challenge, you'll visit as many state parks as you can between Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 15, 2024. You may complete this challenge independently or in conjunction with a club event (club members only, or guests of the club member).

What do I get to participate: Everyone that registers for this challenge will receive a challenge badge and first 20 registrants will receive a goodie bag.

Does it cost to participate: Every participant will pay $15. This will cover the cost of the badge, goodie bag and rewards at the end of the challenge.

What do I have to do: In order to receive credit, you must take a selfie with your challenge badge and include the state park signage. Upload your picture to the WOC Facebook page and include the following hashtag #2024WOCLetsGO to document your hike. You must complete the Challenge form to receive credit. Any park visit that is not documented will not count.

Goal: You must visit a minimum of 10 state parks to be considered. Whoever visits the most parks will be the winner. 

GET OUT and GET MOVIN'!!! If you are hiking, walking or biking, your miles will count towards the option Nr. 2!  Get outside of your comfort zone and see what you can accomplish in 11 months! The mileage must be biked, hiked or walked to receive credit. Whoever gets closest to the Gold, Bronze, and Silver goals will be the winner.

Winners will be announced during Club's December camping/hiking event. We have a list of great prizes that will be raffled between the winners.

Alabama State Park website: https://www.alapark.com/

State Park Visits

• Minimum 10 park visits to qualify

Hike/Walk

• Gold - 330 miles
• Bronze - 220 miles
• Silver - 110 miles
• Gold Count = 30 miles/month = 330 miles
• Bronze Count = 20 miles/month = 220 miles
• Silver Count = 10 miles/month = 110 miles

Bike

• Gold - 737 miles
• Bronze - 627 miles
• Silver - 506 miles
• Gold Count = 67 miles/month = 737 miles
• Bronze Count = 57 miles/month = 627 miles
• Silver Count = 47 miles/month = 506 miles

If you have any questions, send us an email at info@womensoutdoorsclub.com

GET OUT and GET MOVIN'!!! 

#2024WOCLetsGO

Register here!

Each one of us has something great that we will remember from 2023, something that we want to be better at in future, and something that we want to put behind us.

What did the club do in 2023?

Not counting the cancelled events and guests that club members brought, we had 95 events with 578 members attending. Most popular is hiking.

Join the club and make this goal list part of yours for 2024:

➡️ come to events,

➡️ make memories,

➡️ make friends,

➡️ build skills and confidence,

➡️ have a great time!

Join us for the Women's Outdoors Club's EXPLORE ALABAMA CHALLENGE 2024! 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 2024. Tag your social media post(s) with #ExploreAlabama2024 and #WomensOutdoorsClub for us to share.

To receive the finisher sticker, complete at least 10 of 12 challenges and submit your completed locations through the form. Link for this form is posted in the event.

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 will be available in our store for pre-order only through the month of February.  Click here to Pre-Order or visit our online store. 

Bankhead National Forest
Blue Springs State Park
Cahaba River Park
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
Chewacla State Park
Chickasaw State Park
Fort McClellan
Guntersville State Park
Lake Lurleen State Park
Pinhoti Trail
Tannehill State Park
Vulcan Trail

Will YOU be a FINISHER? Sign up today and let's go!

Finally, a challenge for anyone and anywhere! We challenge you to join us for the MOVE 20 in the month of April, 2023. 

Hike, bike, run, kayak, walk, swim, ski, skip, roller skate…. move 20 miles (or 32 kilometers) in a week and get trees planted on your behalf in the Appalachia area!

The challenge starts on April 1st and ends on April 30th. We will count the miles that participants have completed and will know how many trees will get planted on the participants' behalf.

We might even get a local business to support the effort and double or triple the number of trees: every mile will count!

Appalachia is one of America's most beautiful and renowned regions. It stretches from the state of New York all the way down to Alabama and Georgia, and includes the area where the Pinhoti trail is located: Talladega Blue Ridge Mountains.

Home to the namesake Appalachian Trail, more than 150 tree species can be found in the region, making it one of the most diverse ecological regions in North America. Unfortunately, the resource wealth of the region also means much of the forest has been degraded by mining and timber operations. Over the years, an estimated 83% of habitat has been lost.

If you're interested, read on. If not, please share this with a friend who might like to be a part of it.

Are you skeptical if you can complete even a small part of 20 miles? No worries! The challenge comes with the "Couch to MOVE 20 Ready" weekly plan for March. You can be fully prepared by the time April gets here.

What all is involved?

Register: You will need to register for MOVE 20 by filling out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/fvFLgF4Hu9j1LRs47

Strava: The challenge will be held using the popular app Strava to keep up with the miles participants log. You will need to provide your Strava account name in the form or email us later. If you need to create a free Strava account, visit their website to get set up: https://www.strava.com/

Payment: Participation fee is $10 (free for WOC members - sign up through the member app). It can be paid by Venmo @womensoutdoorsclub or by using our secure online store: https://womensoutdoorsclub.com/Sys/Store/Products/329744 

Get Ready: After you complete your registration, you will receive your welcome packet with the "Couch to MOVE 20 Ready" weekly plan for March, and how to join MOVE 20 club on Strava where the miles will be tracked.

Challenge: During the challenge, we will communicate through the Strava club and will send out at least one weekly email with encouragement and updates.

How many trees will get planted?

It depends on you! For every registered participant:

• Complete less than 20 total challenge miles and get one tree planted on your behalf.
• Complete 20 to 80 total challenge miles and get one tree planted on your behalf for every 20 miles completed.

It will be at least one tree for every registered participant and will be 4 trees if 80 miles are completed, or less depending on miles. Collectively we can make a big impact. This challenge is worth sharing with your friends. Go ahead, share away.

Challenge Supporters:

The following local businesses are supporting your effort by doubling the planted trees. Keep moving!

We are partnering with Wild Alabama (https://www.wildal.org/) to give back to our beautiful places by doing cleanup in Sipsey Wilderness. This is a perfect opportunity to make a difference and to enjoy a hike afterwards. Join us on Saturday, March 25th, 2023. Event is open to everyone.

We will pick up trash for about 1 to 1.5 hours, then have lunch (bring your own) and go for an easy 3-mile hike. After that, additional hiking opportunities are available for anyone who want to hike more.

Please note, there is no mobile phone signal in the Sipsey Wilderness, or it is very random. It is encouraged to meet and ride together. You must bring sturdy boots and long pants for trash pickup part since we could be climbing steep sides of the road. Gloves will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own garden gloves or work gloves.

• Skill level: All
• Activity level: Easy / Moderate
• Meeting Place: Multiple meeting options: 

Sipsey River Picnic Area trailhead, Winston County Rd 23, Double Springs, AL 35553

B) 9:20 AM at the Jacks in Double Springs. Jack's, 15266 US-278, Double Springs, AL 35553

C) 8:00 AM at the Costco (Galleria) parking lot in front of their gas pumps. Costco Wholesale, 3650 Galleria Cir, Hoover, AL 35244

• Equipment required: sturdy boots, long pants, lunch, water
• Recommended to bring: sunscreen, snacks
• Member Fee: Free
• Guest Fee: Free
• Participants: Open for everyone - invite friends and family! People of age 18 or younger need to be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Inclement weather date is April 8th.

To Sign Up: Participants that are not club members, please email us and let us know you are planning to attend info@womensoutdoorsclub.com . Club members, please use members app to sign up.

Sooner or later any backpacker is looking to get a tent and is faced with a decision: what tent should I get? What is the best value for my needs? When weight of the tent matters, the lighter the tent the more expensive it is. Our club member, Florence Bradley, reviews the best values for backpacking tents. 

Let's go straight to her list:

6 Moon Designs Lunar Solo 1person. This tent is good value for the weight. It comes to 26 oz. for $250. You will need to seam seal and stakes not included.

6 Moon Designs Lunar Duo 2 person. At only $200 for a 3.4 pound tent it's a great deal. Be sure to seam seal and buy stakes for this one.

Best Weight for 2-person tent:

Big Agnes Cooper Spur Platinum 2P. It comes at 2 pounds and it's the most expensive at $539. I had the one-person version that was about 1 pound. Not much space but super light.

Good value for heavier tent/car camping:

Marmot Cane Creek 2P costs $227 and weighs 4 pounds. I had a 3-person Marmot tent and really liked it for girl scouting and car camping.

Well-made but heavy for backpacking: Nemo Dagger 2P, weighs 4 pounds and costs $479.

Some of these tents come in 1P and 3P versions. Many solo backpackers go with a 2-person tent for more room.

If you want to go ultra light weight, such as less than 1pound per person on a tent. I recommend checking out tents made by Tarptent, Gossemer Gear, and Zpacks. These tents are made by smaller cottage industry companies.

Have fun, and I will see you on the next adventure!

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