Bend

Bend

Hood River

Bend

Madras

Bend

Tumalo

Bend

Bend

Redmond

Bend

Bend

I live in Portland, but am looking to relocate to Bend.

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Tumalo

Bend

Bend

Bend

Sunriver

sisters

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Tumalo

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend (soon to be Redmond)

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Redmond

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Bend

Boulder, Colorado

New York

wyoming

Dana Point, CA

Lake Chelan, Washington

Portland

Pacific Rim navy brat

Bozeman, Montana by way of Encinitas, California.

Bend

Newberg, Oregon

Utah / Colorado

Minnesot

Maui, Hi

East coast, but an Oregonian at heart.

Sisters

North Carolina

Australia, Michigan, Colorado, Portland metro area

Hollywood, FL

Mexico

East Coast

Oregonian!

Albany, Ore.

oregon

Minnesota

Bend

Bethel, Alaska

Eugene

San Francisco,CA

Bend

Salem, Oregon

Puyallup, WA

New Hampshire

Eugene, OR

Mexico

Bend

Tacoma, Washington

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Pennsylvania

California

Wisconsin

Montana

Eagle River, AK

Los Angeles

Connecticut

Gresham

Northern California

Midwest

Upstate NY

Michigan

Sacramento, CA

Vermont

Suburbs of Portland, OR

I am super outdoorsy and game for almost anything, but I still feel VERY intimidated walking into specialized outdoor gear stores (mostly staffed by men) or participating in male dominated type activities as I sense that I might not be taken seriously or blown off as a wannabe; or my particular needs will be met with blank stares.

Clothing - athletic/outdoor clothing is not friendly to hips and breasts. Or bellies that like beer.

The stigma is still alive that women are not as fit/capable as men to hold top leadership positions, such as Trip leaders, hold commercial river permits, sit in high positions on governing bodies or be recognized for growing outdoor sports & recreational businesses from the grass roots up. Just last week I had a former guide friend at a rafting company I used to guide for call me to ask if I would train some female guides. He said they were not getting a fair shot at jobs on the water. I am currently working to train these women to be strong river guides. There is still a strong ‘old boys club’ in Central Oregon in my industry. I have guided here for 17 years now. Now I Guide for Wet Planet in Washington, where the guide ratio is 50/50, with the company owners being a strong female & male team. The dynamics are incredible & the trips they offer are top shelf!

I find little respect for those businesses that are satisfied with where they are in their growth even if they only have 1 or 2 employees. It's all about the companies that are bringing in large growth showings and employing many people. the small businesses seem to be overlooked.

Often times women's specific products are available as in they are being designed and manufactured, however, availability in stores can be lacking as stores often choose to carry more options for men than for women when it comes to technical gear. And for the record, I had fantastic mentors, but they were primarily men. I was able to BE a mentor for other women as I progressed in the industry and the workplace that I left now has many more women in leadership than when I started there.

Cost of sport also impacts willingness to get involved. In the male dominated world, borrowing, trading, linking up seems more natural (because the way in which they sport is at a different pace or style then females--sometimes, not always, but we are built differently). If the community was more inclusive, "trying" a sport before financially commiting would be easier and less stressful. But this requires being invited to play!

More opportunities for women to get involved on a deeper level with their chosen outdoor hobby or sport...instead of just camps and women only adventure weekends that are very spendy. More informal events would be awesome! Also, more approachability in our community shops to welcome women to ask questions openly regarding equipment or gear or maintenance. Maybe more ambassadors who are engaged in setting up informal meet and ride or meet and hike or whatever the sport is, to help facilitate more friendships and mentor ships.

Equal pay

Running around the neighborhood and playing in the park as a kid and Climbing trees.

Trail running camps

seeing people play boating as a kid

Living in Bend

Boating with family

My parents initially took me camping, biking, etc., but I didn't become passionate about the outdoors until after college when I moved to Central Oregon.

My father took me backpacking when I was a child.

Snowboarding got me outdoors, which got me into friends groups that did other outdoor sports. It branched out from there. Snowboarding is also what brought me into my career in the outdoor industry as a writer and editor.

Family vacations, girl scouts then in college I got a big boost from the outdoor club

Grew up in the country. Skied as a kid. Lakes are my favorite body of water and I don’t like sitting, so paddle boarding seemed perfect to me when I took it on a couple years ago.

I grew up in the outdoors. We lived on property with a natural river through our yard, had a summer lake house, seasons passes to ski resorts in the Rockies, took surf & ski vacations, & my first job was as a wilderness therapy leader. The outdoors are my #1 home.

My dad. We had a cabin on the lake and got me interested in the outdoors at a very young age.

My family, but I pursued most advanced skills in water and skiing and biking independently from them.

Loved being out there

It feeds my soul

I always loved being outside. When I lived in Japan for a year at the age of 17, I climbed Mt Fuji. It was the first time I had ever climbed a mountain. I was hooked. When I went back to Australia to go to college, I discovered rock climbing, back country skiing, hiking (bushwalking), and camping. It changed my life. I dropped out of college after my first year, and worked in a ski resort. Then I headed to New Zealand to take a mountaineering course, and I met my American husband on a trail. That was 40 years ago this year. I ran ultramarathons for 22 years, until five years ago. I feel that running trails and ultras saved my life.

I like to play outside

Stay in shape mentally and physically.

fresh air and mountains!

Family influence, being an athlete, climber boyfriend, instructing for Outward Bound.

Exercise opportunities and appreciation for nature

Ii was brought up in the outdoors. It has always been part of my life.

This is too broad of a question; there is no one answer. I've played in the woods since I was a kid.

My family

Family and friends

Growing up in Oregon, I did a lot of camping and some backpacking as a kid. Then later working at an indoor climbing gym was a gateway into all kinds of more extreme outdoor sports.

I have always loved being outside but it wasn't until we moved to Oregon that there were opportunities to be on the river every day.

Sobriety,

Whitewater rafting

Freedom

The adventure, solitude, and required strength/perseverance.

Love of Nature

Backpacking

The clean air we have in central Oregon, the desire to feel good

Born and raised in Bend - essentially an outdoor playground!

My family took me camping as a little girl. I also have met some bad ass women in Bend who have welcomed me in.

Growing up camping with my family. Nature was my happy place.

I grew up on a farm, we were always outdoors. It wasn’t until college that I learned about gear

Solitude, beauty, and pushing my physical limits.

The freedom, simplicity

My dad always involved me in camping hiking skiing skating activities

My parents and growing up in AK

College lecture on envronmental history / National Parks

Camping was all my family could afford as a vacation. I guess that sparked a love. As kids we were always on our bikes and fishing with mom and dad was a perfect day.

A study abroad at my college.

Doing things with my family as a kid.

I grew up outside. Wild spaces were important to my Dad and he gave that to me. Wild places bring me peace.

My stepfather took me skiing and hiking as a child.

Growing up in Vermont

Yes

Yes!

yes

100 fold

yes

Yes, and even more so.

You betcha!

Yes for sure, I've been snowboarding for nearly 30 years now, and I still love the sport and the community.

Yes

Yeah.

More so than ever!!

Yes! I love everything about being outside and am an advocate foe getting people outside and active.

Yes, but now it's my livelihood as well. I work as a kayak instructor in Malaysia, a guide in Alaska and a Field coordinator in Antarctica.

Yes

Yep

Yes!

yes

Yes

yes!

Yes.

Yes -- now it's evolved to be a family activity

yes

My interests have changed as I matured, changed locations, been able to afford more/different gear.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Absolutely.

yes and it's evolved since.

Yes

Absolutely

Yes

Yes

YEs

Yes

Even more so as I get older.

Absolutely.

Yes.

Yes

Yes, but it is sure hard to find solitude anymore in the outdoors.

Yes

Yes

Yes, now it’s more about advancing my skills and passion for my chosen interests. Any time spent outside is the best time!

Yes!

I think it's grown. As an adult I've taken up skiing as a byproduct of working at the mountain. I've met people who exposed me to new challenges like triathlon and mountain biking.

Yes!

Sure. Bring outside is a great way to connect with loved ones and share adventures.

Yes.

Yes

Yeah

Fresh air, sunshine, exercise

The physical struggle and triumph, the peace and beauty, the people.

the necessity of focusing on the task at hand and feeling insignificant. Also getting to see places that can only be seen by kayak.

freedom from electronic communication; interacting with people on a more honest level than otherwise, the peace it brings to my soul; freedom from commercial pressures to consume/buy

clean fresh air!

I love being closer to nature, feeling like I am part of something larger than myself. I love the solitude and serenity. I love how I feel refreshed and recharged afterwards. I love the beauty of it, exploring new places, challenging myself to further heights, reflecting on the power of nature.

Not being indoors? Seriously, I don’t even know how to begin to answer this question. It is my identify. Last summer when we were smoked in during the wildfires, I became deeply depressed. When I finally traveled to a smokeless section of California and got on trail, my depression lifted within hours.

Getting away from technology, connecting with people and having fun.

Solitude, quiet, self reliance

Openness of space, experiencing things with all 5 senses, relaxation, feels like home. Freedom.

The smell, the feel... When I’m outside I am HOME!! Instantly balanced & restored!! It is my source for all things great. I need to be outside like I need to breath! Which is why I chose outdoor recreation for my career as a teenager & I have continued to work in the industry my entire life. It is soul food for me- I have created my life around the outdoors & raised my family as such. It is where I am happiest!!❤️☀️🌊

I feel free. In cities and built environments I have a sense of claustrophobia, but once I get outside of those environments, I feel like a weight has been lifted.

Independence and fresh air. Freedom and exploration and a great way to exercise and be healthy.

Simplicity

The freedom, the nurturing of my spirit

overwhelming joy in this beautiful planet

Feeling free and at peace.

fresh air, exercise, beauty.....

The natural world, being away from everything in mundane daily life.

Simplifying the connection with nature and what's important to me. Physically, I still enjoy challenging myself to go further than my mind thinks I can, which is a great perspective for the rest of my life.

weather, lack of people (which is getting more difficult every year) exercise, flowers,

Solitude, being with my dog, completing a challenge. Again, too broad of a question; it depends on what I'm doing.

It fuels my soul... makes life worth living.

The peacefulness, challenge, and adventure!

Being outdoors, and more specifically in the backcountry is when I feel most connected to the world around me. The feeling is hard to explain but when I am out amongst the trees, mountains, rivers, ocean etc, all my worries about the aspects of my daily life fade as I remember that I will never lose that which I love the most, the feeling of wholeness when I am out in nature.

So many aspects of being outside speak to me- the quiet, the opportunity to enjoy a sport I love, the chance to challenge myself physically and emotionally, and of course, connecting with nature.

Connection. With self, the divine, and others.

Solitude, recreation/fun

Fresh air, exercise

The peace and beauty

Solitude

Keeps me motivated and relaxes me. I feel a connection with nature

I cherish my time being away from people, traffic, noise pollution. The freshest air is in the wilderness. Listening to the sounds of nature and my own breathing as I hike or run through the forest into the mountains is my mediation. Feeling my bike roll over rocks and swish around the corners on a trail all to myself is where I’d rather be.

The connection to our earth, and quietness to reflect and explore ourselves and 100's of 1000's of years of life before us. Our natural world is so cool (and so resilient)!

Peace and quiet.

Fresh air and Freedom

All of it.

I am a part of nature... It's home

Fresh air Beauty. Getting away

So many benefits - it’s always fun, whether your with friends or by yourself - it gives me mental clarity, allows me to decompress, keeps me healthy and it’s a place that continuously drives passion and improves many skillsets.

Chance to clear mind Chance to relax Physical fitness

Feeling free. Being in the moment. Enjoying time with my silly little dog and watching her explore with all the joy in the world.

The community, and pushing myself to be stronger.

It makes me feel alive! Feeling the sun on my skin. Sweating. The feeling of tired muscles after a run/ride/hike. Gorgeous views. Making memories.

Quiet, peace, the smells of the forest, the views, the reminder that we are all part of something bigger than us individually.

Getting out of my everyday life and being in the moment -- It's like meditation for me. Also, staying fit and healthy, developing relationships, challenging myself, feeling accomplished, and staying youthful in body, mind and spirit.

Quiet