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Founded in 2017, Hike Clerb is an intersectional women’s hiking club in Los Angeles dedicated to creating accessible, empowering, and inclusive experiences in the outdoors. We spoke with their founder, activist Evelynn Escobar-Thomas, about the inspiration behind the organization, how COVID-19 shifted their community, and what it means to heal together in nature.
Squarespace: What inspired you to create Hike Clerb?
Evelynn Escobar-Thomas: My experience in the outdoors (locally and on the road) feeling underrepresented and at times unsafe, when hiking solo, led me to create Hike Clerb. It was a solution to a problem that I kept seeing, on road trips and local hikes, which was a lack of representation and participation from Black and non-black communities of color—specifically womxn. Hike Clerb is a literal safe space for womxn to be seen, heard, and heal in the outdoors.
SQSP: What was the biggest challenge you faced in bringing this community together?
EET: The biggest challenge I faced was just getting started. I wasn't sure where or how to start, but eventually, I figured it out and it all came together. I still feel like I am learning as I go!
SQSP: How did COVID-19 shift how your community gathered?
EET: We had to take a more remote approach due to COVID, but it gave us the ability to grow our community well beyond Los Angeles.
SQSP: From a mental health standpoint, it seems that walking outside is more important than ever. How has your community supported one another in healing through hiking?
EET: I love that Hike Clerb is a catalyst for genuine connection. Connection to each other, to the earth, to self, etc. We support one another by showing up for ourselves and holding space for each other.
SQSP: How do you hope this community evolves in the future?
EET: We began with local hikes in Los Angeles and I hope to see Hike Clerb expand far and wide. As a resource, as a gathering place, and as a center for healing.
To learn more about Hike Clerb or how you can join their next event, visit their website.
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