That grabbed your attention!
Roughly eight years ago, I encountered a brand-new, wooden sign at an elevation of 5,267 feet in Baxter State Park, Maine. It had taken me 202 days on trail to reach that milestone and included a failed attempt the previous year. What an accomplishment! You can read about that experience here. I wasn't alone. There were a couple thousand of us Appalachian Trail thru-hikers or "2,000 milers" in 2009. I'm not sharing this to belittle the class of 2009. Our journey was never easy. I share this information, however, to try to offer a perspective of what I've done since the last time I entered a post to this blog.
I have put as many, if not more, miles behind the oars in the beautiful, slot canyon country in Daggett County, Utah since I last posted on May 16, 2016. The Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir as my trail. Blood, sweat, and plenty of tears accompanied this journey that has led me to this moment. Four weeks ago, I attended the "end of season" pig roast provided by Western Rivers Flyfisher Guides surrounded by fellow guides, friends, clients, and family. Cozy and well-fed, I stared into the reassuring flames of the fire-pit. I had reached another milestone.
Stories shared from the memories of former guides indicate that there were two other women that attempted to guide here during the 90s. From my understanding, one lady completed a season while the other lady guided a "few" trips. It wasn't that they didn't want to do it. I believe the community wasn't ready. Clients were not receptive to being guided by a multicellular organism with cells containing two X chromosomes rather than an X and a Y. These women were subjected to language and behavior that can easily be described as sexism in addition to the daily physical and mental demands. So, they quit. Who can blame them?
My timing was fortunate. The atmosphere has changed. I have dealt with some situations that I'm convinced stem from my gender, but that's for a later post. For now, we should rejoice!
This is the blog of a girl, her boat, and her truck that has completed two full guide seasons on the river Green. The only girl that has accomplished this feat thus far!
Now, that the second season has come to completion, follow along on this digital journey as I share what has transpired...
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