2020 by the Numbers

2020, so yeah …

There’s so much that went wrong, was crazy, scary and sad. But some good things came out of it too – mostly that we had more time to make deeper connections with those closest to us. Second best? That so many more people started hitting their local trails and found out about the healing powers of nature! After the initial lockdown, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to take myself or anyone else outside in 2020, but in the end, it turned out to be a pretty amazing year!

I am so grateful for all of you whom I was able to meet in person for the first time (outside and at a safe distance) on group or private hikes, and for all the regulars that came back after we were allowed to gather again. It truly is an honor to help facilitate adventures for you in some of my favorite places in and around New York State! And major thanks to all of you who, don’t live nearby, who felt safest at home or who preferred trekking solo this year, but still supported Girl Gotta Hike by subscribing to the newsletter, reading blog posts, listening to the podcast and/or liking posts on Instagram. I am eternally grateful.

And…based on the numbers of 2020, I think Girl Gotta Hike will be off to a great start in 2021!

Girl Gotta Hike 2020

Participants / Miles Logged:

• 1115 total miles hiked by GGH hikers 

• 46 new participants hiked with GGH for the 1st time!

• 68 miles of local hiking utilizing Public Transit (Metro-North and New Jersey Transit) 

• 38 miles of hiking in the Upper Hudson Valley & Shawangunks

• 71 miles of hiking in the Catskills

• 173 miles of hiking in the Adirondacks

• 223 miles logged on overnight backpacking trips

• 71 miles logged on privately guided hikes

• 8 new episodes of podcast published

• 2500+ podcast downloads and counting (!!)

The Girl Gotta Hike word was spread!

• 3 podcast appearances (on She Explores, Mighty Blue on the AT & Turmeric and Tequila)

• 1 radio call-in appearance on WNYC’s All of It

• Interviewed as a trusted source (and accompanying photo) for NY Magazine’s Urbanist’s Guide to Local Hiking by Nikita Richardson

• Featured interview in Wildprenuers: A Practical Guide to Pursuing your Passion as a Business, by Tamara Jacobi & accompanying blog post

In addition to that (& on a personal note):

My outdoor photography was published in:

• Attainable Sustainable by Kris Bordessa, published by National Geographic, edited by Jill Foley

• The Appalachian Trail: Backcountry Shelters, Lean-tos & Huts by Sarah Jones Decker, published by Rizzoli

• Down East Magazine & The Maine Sportsman  (both featuring friend of GGH, Christi Holmes)

I’ve also been working towards being a better ally and helping to creating more inclusion for BIPOC in the outdoors:

• Participated in a giving circle with Mappy Hour that raised over $5,000 for GirlTrek

• Worked with the Northern Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership to create better equity, inclusion and access to the AT corridor

• Joined the New York State Outdoor Recreation Coalition (a newly formed group who’s goal is to advocate for the outdoor access needs of the state's diverse user groups)

Can’t wait to see what 2021 will bring. Thanks to all of the GGH supporters near and far!! What outdoor goals are you aiming for in 2021?! Let me know and I’ll try and help you make ‘em happen! 😉