"Unlikely" Hikers Hit the Trail

Recently, the New York Times published a story about a diversity problem out on the landscapes and hiking trails. It revolved around Jenny Bruso, a woman who began an Instagram account called Unlikely Hikers, to try and encourage people who aren't straight, white people to hit the trails.

View this post on Instagram

“Confession time: I’m a fake hiker. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Fake as in I don’t love the stereotypical idea of super long walks to the top of the mountain for a view, three peanuts for lunch, then a super long walk back down. Fake as in I don’t believe you have to cross off a list of the tallest mountains or toughest trails in order to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. #AreWeThereYet ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I encourage you to own the way you walk through nature, the trail you forge through life. Whether it’s a 10 minute stroll through the woods to play with your camera, a lap around the park with grandma, or just wandering lost in conversation with friends, however you connect is the absolute right way.” -CJ | @goulding_jr ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Location: Oakland, California. This is Chochenyo, Ohlone+ land. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tag #unlikelyhikers to be featured! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [image description: person walks through large evergreen trees, hands in pockets, looking up or around, casual like he’s got no place else to be so, why rush a good thing?]

A post shared by Unlikely Hikers (@unlikelyhikers) on Jun 4, 2019 at 8:08pm PDT

Personally, I love this. I think it's a great way to get more people out on the trails and experiencing nature the same way I have.

The New York Times writes, "Our public lands have a diversity problem." Now, I'm not entirely sure I'd label it as a problem. Yes, it is absolutely correct to say there are more white people than any other race on every trail in America. There is no disputing that. You take one hike on any trail in the country, and you'd see that for yourself.

However, with that being said, our country, at this present moment, is predominantly populated by white people. Naturally, there are going to be more white people on the trail. I'd venture to say that if you went to Vietnam, you'd see more Vietnamese people hiking and sightseeing there than white people. When my family took a trip to Thailand (an adventure on its own), I don't think we saw a single person of European descent anywhere, much less just on the trails we trekked.

Is there a lack of diversity on our trails? Absolutely. Is it a problem? I hesitate to use the word "problem" here.
I thoroughly applaud Ms. Bruso for raising awareness of this issue. I would love to see everyone, regardless of race, gender and self-identification experience the same love of the outdoors as I have. And I'm glad that more people of diversity are following Ms. Bruso's example.