From the roots up
Crystal Hidde, Roots to Ridges: Women s Wildness Institute founder, stops for a break at the top of the Grizzly Peak Trail outside of Ashland. She led a group of 11 women hikers on a sunset hike to the top last month.
By Deena Manning of the Daily Courier
Lacing up a pair of hiking boots to hit the trail to take in all the outdoors has to offer just may be the perfect prescription to cure some of the stresses life puts upon us.
For Crystal Hidde, those outdoor adventures are so much more.
Strapping on a 30- to 50-pound pack seems like a lot of weight to carry on the trail. But nature can help lighten that load by letting all that weighs us down in life be taken away like a breath of fresh air.
That inspiration and strength Hidde found while backpacking about 430 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in Oregon in 2015 led her to form a nonprofit organization — Roots to Ridges: Women's Wildness Institute.
The group, which became official in April, allows Hidde the perfect platform to share her own experiences and gives other women the opportunity to find themselves in the outdoors.
"On my solo trek across the state, I met women hikers who would say that what I'm doing (they) could never do," said Hidde of Medford, who turns 37 this month. "There was a lack of confidence and a lack of skills."
After making observations of fellow hikers on the PCT, Hidde turned to writing to share her adventures.
"I wrote my book in the hope of inspiring others. I am hoping to teach women by taking them out," she said of her monthlong journey on the PCT in 2015, which began in Ashland and ended at the Bridge of the Gods in Washington.
Hidde's book — "Oregon Uncaged: A Tale of Two Sips on the Pacific Crest Trail," explores the challenges she faced while taking on a solo backpacking journey.
She began the adventure with her husband, Charlie, as they backpacked together for the first week to Crater Lake. Hidde's son, Cole, also helped her prep for the trip.
She finished the trek by herself, but it was far from smooth sailing. Hidde details some of those personal struggles she faced in the book, which was published last year.
"I swore to myself then, that after being 'the baby' of the family, this trip was going to teach me to do things for myself. I certainly wasn't going to let a man or anyone else walk this walk for me! Something inside of me wanted to be broken down, and I wanted to be the one to fix it."
As the youngest of nine children, it's no surprise Hidde was looking to find her own identity.
After a shaky start going solo on the trail — from dealing with inclement weather and a tarp which failed to cooperate — Hidde eventually settles in and ultimately finds herself. She said she covered 11-16 miles a day the first week, 16-18 miles a day in the second week and about 20 miles per day as she closed out the hike.
As Hidde discussed her solo backpacking experience on a warm summer evening while leading a group of 11 hikers last month on the Grizzly Peak Trail just outside of Ashland, it was evident that those encounters helped harden her.
"Being out of your normal routine by long-distance hiking is especially challenging," said the 1998 Illinois Valley High School graduate. "It gets you out of your comfort zone and it tests you.
"The first thing of importance is being prepared with your skill set. You have to know how to read a map and compass and not rely on electronics. You also have to educate yourself on your gear."
Hidde added that she also hit the gym four to five times a week about a year before the hike to get prepared.
Her workouts included a lot of heavy lifting and cardio work.
That preparation helped her get through her maiden outing on the challenging PCT.
Aside from the obstacles and hurdles Hidde faced, the trip did include its share of lighter moments.
In fact, Hidde's trail name of "Two Sips" has quite the tale behind it. Trail names are given to hikers by other hikers and often describe a quality, quirk or event.
She said her nickname actually was given to her by a "thru-hiker" (a hiker who is hiking the entire PCT from Mexico to Canada) and Charlie early on in her journey.
She detailed the encounter in her book.
"Slip N Slide opened his pack and he pulled out a large bottle of Fireball Whiskey. Booze! I was excited, but instantly thought about how hard it was to stay hydrated out here. However, my mouth watered at the sight of it.
"He offered me the bottle, I just took a sip. Later, he offered me the bottle again and I took one more sip."
While Hidde said she spent a lot of time in the woods growing up, she admitted that she didn't formally catch the hiking bug until later in life.
From there, her love for the trail has blossomed and her passion shows with how hard she's working to get others involved.
In fact, Hidde recently returned from leading a small group on a five-day backpacking trip into the Marble Mountains in northern California.
For women who feel backpacking isn't their thing, Hidde also leads day trips on trails all over the Rogue Valley.
Last month's sunset hike on the Grizzly Peak Trail was well-received as 11 women took on the 4.8-mile loop trail, with an elevation gain of 1,003 feet.
For those who have found Roots to Ridges, it has been the perfect fit for learning more about backpacking, hiking and the outdoors.
"I just love it. It's something that there's a huge need for," said 1998 South Medford High grad Heather Penner, who enjoys hiking with her husband and two sons and who added that some of her outdoor adventures have taken her to New Zealand, Fiji, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon National Park just to name a few.
"I like hiking being a social thing rather than solitary."
With the word about Roots to Ridges getting out, Hidde will continue to put one foot in front of the other on the trail, leaving her footprint by creating more opportunities for women.
"The Roots to Ridges idea has been really well-received. (The name came from) wanting to picture something from the start and going to the top," Hidde explained. "One of my main goals for the organization is to have enough gear on hand for women to borrow."
Hikers, backpackers wanted
WHO: Crystal Hidde, local author and founder of Roots to Ridges: Women's Wildness Institute, is holding a free presentation
WHAT: Hidde will discuss the new nonprofit group for women interested in hiking and backpacking
WHEN: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Grants Pass Family YMCA (1000 Redwood Ave.)
FOR MORE: Check out Facebook and Instagram @rootstoridgeswildness or go online at www.rootstoridges.com.
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