Big Beautiful Hikes for Big Beautiful Women
Colorado resident, Rachael Gareri, believes “fat people deserve to enjoy hiking in beautiful places without fear of judgment or shame.” However, too often, outback trails can be unwelcoming to women who are not thin, fit or athletic. Rachael was driven to do something about that.
In 2021, three years after moving to Colorado, Rachael founded Fat Babes in the Wild (FBITW) to get heavy women hiking. The group has grown quickly with close to 30 women participating in one of the monthly hikes scheduled throughout Colorado’s Front Range.
“It’s all about celebrating movement in an enjoyable way and breaking the stigma that fat = unhealthy. We belong here, too!” — Rachael Gareri, Founder FBITW
At the onset of their hike through Garden of the Gods, Rachael explained how long the hike would take by stating: “it may take 2 hours, it may take 6 hours. We’ll take however much time we need.” That sums up the beauty of Rachael’s vision. Not only does she plan the hikes that large women are unlikely to plan alone, she structures the hike to include the emotional, motivational and pacing support that women who have not hiked in years may need.
Even with support, there can still be a fear factor that prevents some women who have joined the group from actually showing up to a hike. What if I fall? What if I get lost? What if I can’t make it all of the way? What if I suck at hiking and embarrass myself? Those fears are real. Hopefully, meeting some of the FBITW hikers will inspire large women to get beyond their fears and give hiking a try.
Meet Rachael Gareri
Rachael Gareri, creator of FBITW, moved to Colorado in 2018 where she found hiking very intimidating with too many gatekeepers. “We are breaking the stigma of fat people existing in the outdoors and documenting it as we go with our cameras,” boasts Rachael.
When asked about her hiking goals, Rachael says: “I hope to one day do the Manitou Incline and a 14’er.”
Meet Cynthia Gartner
Cynthia Gartner is a Colorado Native currently residing in “A Unique Little Town” named Ault (see the acronym — how cute). She has always enjoyed hiking, but found the competitiveness of the sport daunting. From the need to finish in a certain amount of time to a perceived requirement to do an entire trail, Cynthia experienced difficulty finding like minded hikers.
With FBITW, Cynthia doesn’t feel anyone is going to judge her for going at her own pace and taking breaks. Cynthia’s goal is to take on the Manitou Incline - even if it’s only 20 steps at a time and it takes all day.
Meet Dr. Felicia Clark
Dr. Felicia Clark, a body image coach who helps women break up with body shame, grew up hiking Colorado’s trails with her extended family. However, in the mid 2000's, a bad hike in the Canadian Rockies led her to believe that outback hikes were no longer for her.
Felicia loves FBITW because the group goes at the pace of the hikers where no one is made to feel bad for hiking slowly. Her goal is to hike Moab and to hike to wade in one of Colorado’s many outdoor springs.
Meet Sam Felix
Sam Felix, a self described “Indiana Hoosier,” moved to Colorado specifically to hike and get outside. Sam discovered her love of hiking and the outdoors in college after meeting her now husband, Jake.
“Judgment is my biggest fear when hiking,” exclaims Sam. “I frequently refuse to hike with anyone besides my husband because he never makes me feel bad for needing breaks, gasping for air, or chugging water.”
The photo above is Sam and Jake on top of the Manitou Incline — a climb that many women in the group hope to achieve. Joining FBITW gave Sam the confidence to further explore Colorado’s trails.
Sam says: “I am grateful for my body and all that she does for me. My goal is to one day be able to hike a 14er because I want fat people visible and on the trail.”
Colorado is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains. They are waiting for you to admire them up close. You are welcome to participate in a future hike if you want to break the stigma of fat people existing in the outdoors and celebrate enjoyable movement.
Join the Facebook group Fat Babes in the Wild to find out about future hikes.
Are you a woman of size? Let us know in the comments where you have hiked or where you would like to hike. Happy trails!!!
