If you’re a sucker for nostalgia like us, buckle up. We’re throwing it all the way back to our first official WHOA Adventure: Kilimanjaro International Women’s Day 2014. Now, as we're deep into our thirteenth year of trekking to 19,341 feet, we're reflecting on just how massive the impact of our initial idea turned out to be. And while a lot has changed with WHOA and in the world since that first hike, the heart of it all hasn't. So let’s throw it back and take a look at then vs. now: what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and the impact of our long-term commitment.
Read moreFinding Confidence in Nature: Amber Karnes on Adventure and Body Image
When I’m feeling frustrated with my body and what it looks like compared to other people, it helps to go into nature and see myself reflected in a different way. Beauty standards were invented to sell us stuff to fix “the problem of our bodies”, so we compare ourselves to this "perfect body" standard and we feel less-than. But our bodies aren't a problem to be solved. Our bodies just are what they are, and exist in many different beautiful, unique, and weird shapes and forms.
In nature, I can see myself reflected in a different way, like how the texture of my cellulite (something I may not like) looks like the ripples of a lake, a sand dune, or the texture of a canyon wall (things that I find quite beautiful). Being outdoors also makes me remember my tiny place in the bigger order of things. The mountains, desert, or ocean put me in a different context. I feel properly small and insignificant compared to these vast landscapes.
Read moreToo Old? Too Young? Why Mindset Matters More Than Age on Adventures
One of the most common questions we get at WHOA is simple and well intentioned: “What's the average age of your travelers?”
We understand why people ask. They want to picture themselves in the group. They want to know if they will belong. They want reassurance that they will not feel out of place, too young, too old, or somehow different. But here is the honest truth. While age can be a helpful data point, it is not what determines whether someone will thrive on a WHOA adventure. Mindset does. Curiosity does. A willingness to learn, contribute, and show up fully matters far more than a number ever could.
At WHOA, we care deeply about life stage diversity. Not because it sounds good, but because we have seen again and again how powerful it is when women of different ages move, struggle, laugh, and succeed together. Some of the most meaningful moments on our trips happen precisely because women are not all in the same chapter of life.
Read moreI've Climbed Kilimanjaro 15 Times and These are my Top 5 Tips for Success
The best part about climbing Kilimanjaro with Nicole is that her love for this mountain is contagious - it’s her favorite place in the world and you can feel that on the trail. The second best part is her catch phrases, which are famous in world of WHOA and best delivered with her wit and in her special Nicole way! So here they are, the top 5 Nicoleisms for success on Kilimanjaro, direct from the source:
Read moreWomen We’re Loving This Women’s History Month (And Think You Will Too)
Anastasia is the founder of Kula Cloth, a reusable, antimicrobial pee cloth that reduces waste and makes outdoors adventuring so much better for women. Chances are if you've been on a WHOA trip, you've seen plenty of these dangling from bags—probably even your own!
Her seriously funny Instagram normalizes women’s hygiene on the trail by talking openly about periods, pee, and all the very real things that come with being a female business owner and woman outdoors, without any shame (seriously, go read her Substack).
Mountaineering for Beginners: What Experienced Women Want You to Know
Record-breaking mountaineer Sunny Stroeer says, “Mountaineering can take you to amazing places. It can also feel pretty intimidating - steep terrain, ropes, ice axes, crampons... where do you even start? Here's the thing, though: when you break it down, mountaineering is really just backpacking on steroids. If you can carry a heavy pack and walk uphill, you've already got 70% of what you need to get into mountaineering covered. The other 30% are technical skills which, yes, are important to learn - but they're not rocket science, and super fun to get into. If mountaineering fascinates you, all you need to do is take the step to dive in and learn.
Read moreThinking About the Tour du Mont Blanc? 5 Things to Know Before You Start Planning.
Dreaming of hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc? You should be! It’s one of the most iconic long-distance treks in the world, circling the highest peak in Western Europe through France, Italy, and Switzerland. But don’t let the postcard views fool you. This trail is as complex as it is beautiful, with big weather swings, serious elevation gain, and logistics that can make your head spin. Before you start planning, here are five things most hikers wish they knew before they started!
Read moreWhat to Pack in Your Hiking Daypack: The Complete 16-Item Checklist
At WHOA, we don’t believe in overpacking—but we definitely believe in being over-prepared. This guide is your no-BS checklist for what to have in your daypack everyday whether you’re on a day hike, training, or on a multi-day trek. Think: protection, safety, sustenance and sustainability!
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