For women, by women: St. John's hiking series hopes get more women on the trails

An accomplished rower and runner from St. John's has been given support to spread her love of hiking to other women.

On Saturday, Katie Wadden launched a hiking series that will run through the summerwith theonly goal of takingaway any hesitations newcomers have with the trails.

"[It's] ahike for women, led by women and we are going to be taking participants up here to the White Hills to do a nice beginner four-kilometrehike to try to increase accessibility through building people's confidence in the wilderness," she said.

After being nominated by the Outfitters, a sporting goods store in St. John's,Wadden has been named a Salomon Women's Ambassador, andwith support from both businesses she's able to offer the series for free.

"Salomon has really identified a need for these free, guided hikes led by women," Wadden said."The social aspect of it, coming out and experiencing new trails they have never hiked on before."

Organizers had hoped 10or20 might sign up but all hands were pleasantly surprised when more than 400 wanted to take part.

So many people were interested, they had to cap it at 100.With the number of people that expressedinterest,they can't even create a waiting list.

Now a leader, once a follower

Wadden knows how intimidatinghitting the trails can be.

As a student at the University of British Columbia she had a strong desire to head into the mountains but lacked the confidence.

It wasn't until she met a few other women with more experience that she got out to enjoy the mountains.

"That really allowed me to build my confidence and empowered me to get out on the trails and grow my experience from there," said Wadden.

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She wants to empower other women who might not feel comfortable on trails in and around St. John's.

On Saturday, the first hike wasup in the White Hills, in the east end of the city, an area Wadden knows better than most.

"It's sheltered, so I don't worry about the weather at all when I come up here," she said.

"You are completely surrounded by the trees and it's really peaceful this is definitely my therapy up here."

The hiking series will consist of five hikes at various trails.

It runs until the fall, with events happening June 15, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.

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