Category: WHHB

I should tell you about this group.

WHHB came from of the Hoosier Hiker Backpacker’s Facebook page group. I like to think of us as their little sister. HHB was founded by Greg Ludlow,. This co-Ed group is a great bunch of hikers and backpackers who love to share their knowledge and advice. You will see some really cool stuff- gear hacks, hikes from all over the state and beyond. They are good with answering questions and getting you started with hiking and/ or backpacking.

http://hoosierhikerbackpackersfb

This is where I got my start. I joined HHB in 2019 and did a lot of watching. I learned from them about trails- didn’t know there was a Tecumseh trail. I learned about Permethrin and ticks. I saw groups go hiking and some solo.

2019 was the year I did a lot of solo hiking and backpacking because I wasn’t brave enough to go with people I didn’t know and had never met. But I watched 👀 🏕️ 🥾 🥾

After I completed my first ever Knobstone hike of the lower 46 miles, in September of 2019, I knew it was time to start a Womens group.

Really? I thought to myself. In praying about it, it seemed good to do. I wouldn’t have to hike alone anymore. I’d know some folks to hike with! If I started it as the Lord showed me to do, there would be like minded individuals who would come and enjoy the adventures together. Ok! I’ll do it.

In December, I messaged Greg Ludlow and told him I’d like to start a Womens group, and could I do it under HHB? Also, I would like to make it for 45 year old women and up. My reasoning was, who would like to hike with this 62,year old? Surely no young women would want to go slow and maybe do only6-8 miles a day? Greg said he’d get back to me after talking to his other administrators. He responded back, thatch could start the group, but don’t put an age limit on it. I said Ooooookkkkkk. Guess I won’t.

Our first group hike was January 2020. We began with our Turkey Run hike. This hike still remains a favorite today. I’ll share our Turkey Run State Park Ice Hikes:

I set up hikes for each month. Brown Country State Park was in March. Just afterwards, COVID broke out and people had the need to get outdoors. Women of liked minded passions gathered together when we could, using wisdom concerning the pandemic, and hiked. We developed a great bond and continued to hike whenever we could. More and more came! We needed this! A chance to escape the responsibilities of home, even cities just for a few hours and enjoy the sounds and sights of nature and as a group of like-minded women. We’d start our hikes with prayer, and sometimes have devotions or testimonies, especially when we had our overnight backpacking trips.

We found we loved to teach about backpacking. Soon we started having 101 backpacking events. State Parks and State Forests were enjoyed and explored together. We had 101 backpacking events at Bloodroot SF, Morgan Monroe State Forest and Yellowwood State Forest.

Each year we tried to hit up as many state parks as we could. We usually do the Tecumseh Trail in the spring then the Knobstone trail in the fall. We mix it up sometimes and add the Adventure Hiking Trail or the Adena Trace Trail.

As the girls grew in their experiences and wanted to adventure out, some have hiked in other states and even Countries.

We decided to make our group a non- profit organization so we could do more. In 2021 we all started up our own Facebook page and became our own entity- little sister of HHB grew up. We still do events with HHB and work closely with Greg Ludlow on some events.

Each fall we have an end of year picnic. We’ve been also honoring our veterans and fallen soldiers at that time with a special honor hike.

Every other year we have a special indoors winter 101 backpacking event where we pull out all the stops, have gear giveaways and prices.

We’ve had so many wonderful hikes and events together! It is so rewarding watching these ladies grow in their confidence and find new adventures.

If interested in becoming a fb member, please feel free to check out the Facebook page.

💜💜💜💜💜Thanks to all who have made this group so great. And most of all, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for making this possible.💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜