Navigating Elitism in the Outdoors as a Woman

Written by Miranda Compton

As I continue to meet more women who are interested in getting involved in outdoor sports, I find that there is a common sentiment of feeling some sort of imposter syndrome. I know I personally have struggled with the feeling, and so have many others. The feeling that you will only be worthy of experiencing the outdoors in this capacity if you are professional or extreme.

I do believe this is somewhat influenced by what we see on social media. It skews the way we value ourselves when it comes to participating in these sports, which are typically male-dominated. For example, when I find myself opening my explore page on Instagram, it is full of high-performing athletes in thousands of dollars’ worth of gear, sending the craziest lines or climbing the most impressive big walls out west. What it lacks is female and beginner representation.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not want to discount the creators who do try to show the other side of the outdoor industry. The side that is accessible and welcoming. The side that shows representation of different cultures and ethnicities. This is extremely important for opening up the outdoors for more to enjoy. As a society, we do need to acknowledge those who are working hard to expand these hobbies to a wider audience.

I also want to acknowledge how much work goes into these athletes performing at such a high level. It takes years of practice, knowledge, and expertise that do not come easy. It comes at a price of injury, danger, and the use of extreme precision and skill (another area the media does a subpar job of capturing).

That being said, the purpose of this is to explain the hurdles I have personally found harder to navigate when participating in outdoor sports as a woman and the labels that circle around in our heads when finding our place in this realm.

Jerry, gaper, gumby, noob: these are all words used in a demeaning and negative way, all short for “that person is a beginner and has no idea what he's doing and it's embarrassing to try.” You find that the people using these terms have usually been performing at a high level for a long time and usually have created some sort of community of people who are also at the same level. When you hear or even anticipate these words being used, it can make you feel watched or hesitant to learn openly, which only adds to the pressure.

It's common to get “gatekeepy” or impatient with those who are considered beginners. I find this is typically because they forget what it's like to be a beginner or have had a bad experience with someone who is just trying it out. I do believe this is human and natural to a point. We naturally form groups around our interests and eventually develop a sense of comfort. It's easy to get lost in our current experience with our peers, and for that I don't blame anybody. But I do believe we can create a new sort of community, one that inspires and uplifts and doesn't leave anyone feeling defeated or unworthy. I also want to make it clear that I'm speaking about patterns that tend to show up, not pointing fingers at any one person.

As a woman, I have found it extremely easy to put massive amounts of pressure on myself to prove myself worthy in this respect. Naturally, I do partially blame this on the media amplifying extremes, but also on being perceived in these environments and the fear of being a beginner. There seems to be a lot of tension between wanting to learn and wanting to blend in. I have found personally that the best way for me to navigate this tension is to create a community that is supportive, uplifting, and knowledgeable. One that is able to teach you without a demeaning attitude. And as a beginner, give yourself grace to learn at a comfortable pace and celebrate small victories. Taking up space can be as simple as asking questions, trying something new even when you're nervous, or showing up consistently even when you feel unsure.

I would love it if, as an outdoor community, we could reframe our thoughts behind the word “beginner” and make the experience less daunting for those just wanting to try. It is so important to choose the right community when learning and to surround yourself with supportive partners. I believe it is important to create a new norm where more women are able to take up space in these environments, and it's important to remind others not to forget what it was like to just TRY something for the very first time.

Miranda (center) with other Chicks on a backcountry skiing adventure on Mount Washington.