Fat Girls Hiking

DMV now has a FGH chapter!  The area includes:  DC, Maryland & Virginia (Washington DC metro area)!  Hikes & other events for the area will be posted on the main social media pages as well as the Eventbrite page, ‘follow’ Fat Girls Hiking to receive an email whenever a new hike is posted:  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/fat-girls-hiking-8629131029

The ambassadors can be reached at:  fghdmv@gmail.com

 

Erin, she/her

This year I hiked 1,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail, a feat I never thought I could accomplish. I set out to thru-hike it, and every single day I felt like I couldn’t do it. I felt out of place on the trail, like my body was holding me back, slowing me down, setting me apart. Finally, after changing my trail name and really showing myself what I could do, I realized that I had it in me to make it the whole way, and I stopped needing to prove it to myself. I stopped needing to prove that someone with my body type could be an athlete, I finally knew that was true.

Then I ventured out on a solo road trip across the country to visit over a dozen national parks. I wasn’t ready to jump right back into real life! I got extremely lucky because during my time in Portland, I got the chance to attend a Fat Girls Hiking event and meet Summer! I was so thrilled to hike with the community I’d been following and reading about online. Unlike hiking on the Appalachian Trail, I felt a sense of belonging and I felt more confident being myself. Hiking with FGH gave me a glimpse of what the world could be like if outdoor spaces were safer and more welcoming to all people.

Being an ambassador is so meaningful to me. It provides the amazing opportunity of joining all of the wonderful folks in the community, and it also holds me accountable to my own body positive journey. I want to be better at loving and accepting myself, and stepping into this role is like pushing myself again, reaching for a more unapologetic and fulfilled version of myself.

I am so looking forward to meeting everyone who attends the FGH events in the DMV!

 

Rachel, she/her

Hi, I’m Rachel, a Northern Virginia native. I love hiking, everything travel related, photography, and hanging with my husband, our son, and our sweet dog, Maisy Mae.  I’ve always loved hiking but recently it’s become a passion of mine. I feel so at peace when I’m in the woods, slowing down to hear, touch, smell, and just take in all that nature gives us.  I am so grateful that Fat Girls Hiking exists and I can’t wait to get out on trails exploring with like-minded people and building a community that lifts one another up.