To some, techno-coloured tutus, glow sticks and after dark surprises can induce a flashback to the days of organized secret underground parties, a.k.a. raves. Today, 18- to 30-year-old women will soon associate party favours and packed buses with a new generation of fun. This dose of outdoor adventure called Girls Gone Wilderness is legal, dry and MEC-approved.
A group of fearless female outdoor leaders are the creators of this new good-time tribe aimed at encouraging more young women to become physically active outdoors.
Alicia Woodside introduced herself to fellow adventurers as a guest speaker at Feat Canada 2014. Just 26 years old, Woodside took to the Rio Theatre stage to share her tales of adventure on the running trail.
Her zest for life and rave-like costumes stood out from the rest.
Embracing her girl power on and off the trail, she runs all of her miles in metallic tutus and sparkles rather than technical running apparel. Her Girls Gone Wilderness team includes Jennifer Hughes and Mud Bunnies babes Joanie Maynard and Nancy Zenger.
It was Zenger who jumped at registering the domain GirlsGoneWilderness.ca on a late night whim après Feat. This group of gals is on a mission to reclaim hiking from the blue rinse generation and to make playing outdoors enjoyable, accessible and affordable.
A Party Bus to the Forest is their spring debut. At $12 for a pair for tickets, the intent is to introduce a friend to the outdoors. On March 20, participants will board a party bus destined for the wilderness. An evening point-to-point hike has a few surprises in store.
Much like the unveiling of the location of a rave, the destination is only revealed the night of the event.
“It’s not going to be a grunt,” says Woodside. “The trail is a local classic and the experience itself is complete with dance zones, Vega mocktails and glow sticks.”
Girls Gone Wilderness plans to kick off every season with a party bus experience that will highlight the flavours of the season.
Don’t worry, you won’t get dumped on the North Shore’s most difficult single track, but rather you will get a taste of the outdoors that will leave you wanting more. Join the party!
