Why Feeling Capable Outdoors Has Nothing to Do With Being “Outdoorsy”

Dearest gentle reader,

I’m worried you’re thinking about going hiking, but fear you’re just “not that outdoorsy.”

It’s something I hear often. Sometimes it’s whispered apologetically. Sometimes it’s said louder, almost like a flex, as if being a girl who is outdoorsy might somehow be embarrassing.

But here’s what I’ve noticed over the past decade guiding women outdoors: the women who say they’re “not outdoorsy” are often capable, intelligent, high-functioning women in every other area of their lives. They run businesses, lead teams, raise families, manage complex schedules, and solve problems daily. And yet, when it comes to hiking, paddling, or planning an overnight trip, something shifts. Suddenly, they feel unsure.

The word “outdoorsy” has become shorthand for something mythical. Someone who grew up camping. Someone who knows knots instinctively. Someone who doesn’t have a fear of snakes. But capability outdoors isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill set. And skill sets can be learned.