The Trail Mix: Hiking in September
Grab a handful with Outdoor Afro as we kayak Falls Lake, Camp in Kaibab National Forest and Bike Ride on St. Helena Island
Atlanta, Georgia
Labor Day Weekend Hike @ Kennesaw Mountain September 5
Atlanta Beltline Tour September 26
Arabia Mountain Full Moon Hike September 26
Bay Area, California
Hike by the Ocean at Wilder Ranch Bluffs in Santa Cruz September 12
Outdoor Afro After Work: Mount Sutro September 18
Hike in the Oakland Hills September 20
Outdoor Volleyball September 20
Scout the REI 10K in Redwood Regional Park September 26
Outdoor Afro After Work Refugio Park September 30
Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana
Sunday Funday: Paddling on Little Calumet River September 20
Fall Foliage Hike at Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm Trail September 27
Los Angeles, CA
Camping in Yosemite Class with REI September 24
Louisville, KY
Camp Nelson Civil War Days Living History Event September 12
Voyageur Canoe Excursion September 26
New York/New Jersey
Kayaking in Flushing Meadows September 20
North Carolina Triangle
Outdoor Afro and REI Kayak Tour on Falls Lake September 12
Planning Meeting for Falls Lake Camping Trip September 24
Portland, Oregon
Hike to Punchbowl Falls Eagle Creek September 19
Phoenix, AZ
Sport and Yoga in Kiwanis Park September 7
10 Miles of Wonder in the Kaibab: Camp, Hike, & Photography September 18
Richmond, VA
Pyrite Mine Hike - Prince William Forest September 12
Hike in Chippokes Plantation State Park September 26
Seattle, Washington
Gardens and Great Reads Outdoor Afro Book Series September 23
Seaward Park Bird Watching September 26
South Carolina
Bike Ride on St. Helena Island September 7
St Louis, Missouri
Hike in Pere Marquette State Park September 26
Washington DC- Maryland- Northern Virginia
Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine Hike - Prince William Forest Park September 12
Freedom Field Day September 13
Good Bye Summer, Hello Autumn Meet and Greet at REI September 17
Biking at Artemesia Natural Area September 19
Intro to Outdoor Climbing September 19
Benjamin Banneker Historical Park Tour and Hike September 26
Boulder Bridge Hike - Celebrating Rock Creek Park's 125th Anniversary September 27
Outdoor Afro Leaders Around the Country Want You and Your Family to SELFIE with Us in Nature!
Outdoor Afro Reaches New Heights on Summit of Mount Whitney
Eight Member Summit Team Hikes the Trail Blazed by Buffalo Soldiers and Inspires Black People Around the Country to Practice Self Love in the Outdoors
Written by Outdoor Afro Leader and Mount Whitney Summit Team Leader Viva Yeboah
On August 15, 2015, Outdoor Afro raised our banner on the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States. This moment marked the culmination of an adventure that drew upon values embedded in African American culture, including stewardship, teamwork, and history.
The Outdoor Afro Mount Whitney Summit Team included all five of the founding members of the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team. Outdoor Afro Chicago Leader and Mount Whitney Summit Team Leader Viva Yeboah shares more about their experience below.
Why climb Mount Whitney? Why do such a challenging hike?
"Outdoor Afro's mission is to reconnect African Americans with natural spaces and each other. We do that by hosting recreational activities and honoring our history. A backpacking trip up Mount Whitney fits right in with what Outdoor Afro leaders do everyday because the trip entails adventure (highest peak in the lower 48 states!), stewardship (leave no trace principles are a must), teamwork (only 30% of hikers reach the summit), and a unique, untold aspect of African American history (the Buffalo Soldiers constructed the first trail up Mount Whitney)."
What is backpacking?
"Backpacking is using a backpack (external or internal frame) to carry all gear, equipment and personal items needed for a multi-day, weekend or extended trip. For our Mt. Whitney trip we practiced wilderness backpacking. Essentially taking everything we need to complete our summit and to camp at the Inyo National Forest campgrounds. Usually I over pack for trips. I am always like what if I need this item or this dress or this book. Just thinking of the possibilities without thinking of actually what I need or what time is available. In preparing for this 3 day trip, managing your weight and selecting proper gear and equipment that are essential for the team to succeed is very important. We had general gear and equipment list, from that list items needed for this particular trip was selected. Every trip is different and will require you to adjust your list based on the weather, items with multi use, type of trip and group size. To physically prepare, the group trained for several months and conditioned ourselves to carry our pack for a extended time. Our local REI staff were very helpful in helping us choose the right packs and gear. And we followed the general rule of carrying no more than 20% of your body weight."
How did you interact with nature on the trip?
"You know I felt like my interaction or awareness definitely increase. Our trip was 3 days/ 2 nights and no cellphone coverage. The Mt Whitney trail is 22 miles round trip, 6100 elevation gain and is part of two national parks, Inyo National Park and Sequoia National Park. During our trek we viewed and embraced the diverse beauty of both parks. We hiked through four vegetation zone from Montane, Subalpine, Alpine to Barren. With each zone providing the opportunity to see the diverse wildlife and plant species of both national parks.
We spotted all kinds of wildlife including deer, grouse, marmots, quails, squirrels, etc. We also appreciated the plant species along the trail such as lodgepole and foxtail pine trees, sky pilot, cut-leaf and alpine gold daisy and granite draba. The colors purple and yellow from the sky pilot and alpine gold daisy gave me such inspiration as we summited Mt Whitney.
How did the group practice LEAVE NO TRACE principles?
"At all Outdoor Afro events the seven principles of Leave No Trace are practiced and applied when applicable. For this trip we incorporated all of them as follows:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare. We educated ourselves on all rules and regulation such as the requirements for WAG bags and bear canisters. Stayed current on weather conditions that could dramatically impact our trip such as severe thunderstorm. Studied the Mt Whitney map and became familiar with water sources. Providing family and friends with emergency numbers.
- Leave What you Find. It is important to leave the trail how you find it. So the next individual or group enjoys it just as much as you did. For example, we enjoyed the wonderful smell from pine cones, but also made a conscious decision to leave the pine cones were we found them.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts. Campfires are banned at Inyo National Park campsites. Our team used lightweight stoves.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. We selected designated campsites. Made sure to set up our sites 200 feet away from the water source.
- Respect Wildlife. Our team observed wildlife from a distance and did not feed any animals. We also made sure to store our food properly in our packs and in bear canisters.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors. We respected all hikers on the trail and at our campsite. Our breaks were off the trail and while descending the team made sure to yield to oncoming hikers."
-
Dispose of Waste Properly. Pack it in, pack it out. All waste (food packages, left over food and human waste) are all packed out.
What did it feel like to know people all over the country were joining you in solidarity hikes?
"The first two words that come to mind is motivating and inspiring. You realize that this trip is greater than you, greater than your team, but for our community. Our circle reaches throughout the US and beyond. It is one of the best feelings."
Why did you take your summit photo with the Ghanaian flag?
"I had to represent part of my culture. I am first generation Ghanaian American. Both my parents are Ghanaian. I also told my mom when we make it to the top, I'd rep for her!"
How do you hope hikers will respond when they see the Outdoor Afro sticker at the summit register?
"I hope people will see our sticker and know that Mount Whitney is our success just like it is theirs. I hope it disrupts the false perception that black people do not have a relationship with Mount Whitney and other natural spaces, and shifts the visual representation of who connects with these spaces. I also hope people it will inspire fellow hikers to learn more about Outdoor Afro and the thousands of African Americans who join us in nature every day."
Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires African American connections and leadership in nature. We help people take better care of themselves, our communities, and our planet.
SAVE THE DATE: October 1, 2015 Outdoor Afro Glamp Out! Become a Sponsor
The Trail Mix: #WhitneyHiking Remix
Scoop in with Outdoor Afro as we stargaze the Perseid Meteor Shower, go Spelunking at Mammoth Cave, and Find Our Greatest Love of All on Mount Whitney and Around the Country
Atlanta, Georgia
Ziplining and Whitewater Rafting August 8
Stargazing the Perseid Showers on the Arabian Mountain August 12
#WhitneyHiking to Red Top Mountain August 16
Bay Area, California
Sea to Summit, Summit to Sea hike on Mount Tam August 1
Hike to Inspiration Point in Tilden Regional Park August 2
White Water Rafting on the American River August 7
#WhitneyHiking Backpacking Trip on Mount Whitney August 13-16
#WhitneyHiking at Alamere Falls August 15
Outdoor Photography with Urban Tilth August 22
Outdoor Volleyball August 23
Camp with REI at Spring Lake Park August 29
Art Park August 30
Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana
9th Annual Perseid Meteor Stargaze & Snoring on the Sand August 8
Get it in Mount Whitney Training Hike at Swallow Cliff Stairs August 9
Yoga and #WhitneyHuking at Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education August 9
#WhitneyHiking Backpacking Trip on Mount Whitney August 13-16
#WhitneyHiking Along the Lakeshore August 14
Ranger Led Tour of Pinhook Bog August 29
Los Angeles
Bike Trip trip from Culver City to Venice August 9
#WhitneyHiking up to Baldwin Hills Scenic Lookout August 14
Louisville, KY
Mammoth Cave Historical Tour August 22
New York/ New Jersey
#WhitneyHiking at Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park August 15
North Carolina Triangle
Hiking the Eno River to Bobbit Hole August 22
Beginners Hike at Morgan Trial to Merritt's Pasture August 29
Portland, Oregon
Winston Wildlife Overnight Safari and Camp August 8
#WhitneyHiking and Poetry Hike around Canyon Lake August 16
Phoenix, AZ
#WhitneyHiking on Lost Dog Trail August 16
Desert Discovery at Boyce Aboretum August 29
Richmond, VA
History Walk from Slavery to Freedom at Petersburg National Battlefield August 8
#WhitneyHiking to Dutch Gap August 15
Seattle, Washington
Explore Seahurt Park with Beach Naturalists August 1
#WhitneyHiking My Love is Your Love Nature Walk August 13
Go Green Games August 29
South Carolina
Picnic and Paddle Trip to Santee State Park August 1
Family Fun Day at Folly Beach August 8
St Louis, Missouri
#WhitneyHiking in Taum Sauk State Park August 15
Camping in Trail of Tears State Park August 21
Washington DC- Maryland- Northern Virginia
#WhitneyHiking upThe Old Rag Mountain hike in the Shenandoah National Park Aug 15
#WhitneyHiking Ft. Dupont August 16
Outdoor Afro Leaders Around the Country Want You and Your Family to LACE UP and Join Us in Nature!
#WhitneyHiking: Finding Your Greatest Love of All in Nature
#WhitneyHiking: the act of being your full, entire self in nature and claiming a green (or California brown) space for your own.
#WhitneyHiking may include foraging for beauty on a nature walk, a laughter filled trek up a local summit, and/or singing Whitney Houston songs on the hiking trail.
Written By National Program Director Zoë Polk
In advance of our upcoming journey to the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States, Outdoor Afro is proud to launch its #WhitneyHiking campaign. On August 13-16, 2015, African Americans around the country are encouraged to hit the trail and find the Greatest Love of All in nature.
"WhitneyHiking is a special call for Outdoor Afros, including every child, every man, and Every Woman, - even if your Name is Not Susan, to summit the mountain in their lives." said Outdoor Afro founder and CEO, Rue Mapp. "We know that Our Love is Your Love because of the thousands of individuals who engage with us via social media and through their regional Outdoor Afro networks. We hope people will leverage #WhitneyHiking to enrich their relationship with the outdoors and their communities.”
Supported by REI, Keen, and Klean Kanteen, the #WhitneyHiking summit team is lead by Viva Yeboah, a four year member of the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team (OALT) based in Chicago.
"Planning, training, and next month, hiking Mount Whitney represents so much of what I cherish about being on the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team," said Yeboah. "In Chicago, we've seen our base grow to over 1,000 outdoor enthusiasts, and to take this journey with people who’ve been invested in our network since the beginning is deeply meaningful. On the mountain, we will take it Step by Step and remember to take in the beauty around us as we Exhale.”
The Mount Whitney Summit Team will also include all five of the founding members of the OALT, now in its fourth year, representing Outdoor Afro’s Bay Area California and North Carolina networks.
Below 14,505 feet, Outdoor Afro leaders across the country, from Washington DC to Atlanta to St. Louis to Los Angeles to Seattle, will be hosting #WhitneyHiking unity events, including nature walks, steep grade climbs and songful hikes. People who Wanna Hike With Somebody should join their local Outdoor Afro leaders or organize their own communities for solidarity hikes.
WE WANNA HIKE WITH SOMEBODY: Tell us where you'll be #WhitneyHiking August 13-16, 2015
[qd-contact-form subject="#WhitneyHiking" to="[email protected]"] [qd-contact-field label="Where will you be #WhitneyHiking on August 13-16, 2015?" type="text" required="true" reply="true" /] [qd-contact-field label="Name" type="name" /] [qd-contact-field label="City and State" type="text" /] [qd-contact-field label="Email " type="text" /] [qd-contact-field label="Comments" type="text" /] [/qd-contact-form]
We will Look to You on social media. Share and Tweet your #WhitneyHiking photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Come to the Outdoor Afro Glamp Out!
Become A Superstar Sponsor!
On October 1, 2015, we invite you to rejoice in our success and invest in our promising future of relevant outdoor engagement with our first ever gala celebration and fundraiser: “The Outdoor Afro Glamp Out” at the Oakland Museum of California, 6-10pm!
With an expected 250 guests from around the country, we will reflect on our successes, and envision the next generation of diverse, bold, and innovative outdoor leadership and engagement.
Our amazing celebration will include:
- A special line-up of local celebrities who care deeply about our shared cause
- A series of short clips and testimony about our Outdoor Afro leaders, and the communities they touch
- Sultry blues, fine wines, and delicious locally sourced soul food
- Awards and recognition of friends, sponsors, and supporters
We hope you will join this event as a sponsor, and will make a significant contribution to help more people take care of themselves, our community, and our planet.
I look forward to sharing more details soon, and hope you will save the date!
Thank you!
Rue Mapp
Founder and CEO
The Trail Mix: Savory July
Get in the Mix with Outdoor Afro as we kayak under the full moon, hike to waterfalls, and gather around the campfire.
Atlanta, Georgia
Experience The Bahamas: Picnic at Camp Exposure in Lithonia Georgia July 11
Atlanta Beltline Tour July 25
Bay Area, California
Bill Picket Rodeo July 11
Healing Hike in Point Pinole July 25
Reflect on Beauty and Hike in Santa Cruz July 25
Beach Volleyball July 26
Outdoor Afro After Work: Refugio Creek Park July 29
Outdoor Afro After Work: Twin Peaks July 30
Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana
Range Guided Night Hike and Campfire July 3
Camping and Backpacking in Peoira District July 18
Louisville, KY
Zipline July 3
Buffalo Soldiers Camp July 18
West Louisville Appreciation Day July 25
New York/ New Jersey
Speed Mixer and Scavenger Hunt at African Arts Festival July 5
North Carolina
Summer Picnic Meet and Greet July 19
Portland, Oregon
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival July 18
Hike to Wahkeena Falls and Fairy Falls, then the base of Multnomah Falls July 25
Phoenix, AZ
Gear Check In at REI July 8
Yoga and Kayak July 11
Camp and Kayak at Canyon Lake July 31
Richmond, VA
Cycling at High Bridge State Park July 18
Seattle, Washington
Hike at Boulder River July 18
Therapy Thursdays Nature Walk July 23
St Louis, Missouri
Camping Basics at REI July 16
South Carolina
Full Moon Kayak July 1
Camping Basics July 11
Outdoor Afro After Work: Nature and History Hike July 17
Washington DC- Maryland- Northern Virginia
Explore the Lotus Flower and Water Lily Festival July 11
Intro to Rock Climbing at Carder Rock July 18
Outdoor Afro Leaders Around the Country Invite You and Your Family to Join Us in Nature!
Now Serving: BBQ Sustainability Realness
Earth, Wind and Fire blasting on the speakers. Children running through sprinklers. Flip Flops. Dominoes. And the delicious smell of marinated meat and veggies on the grill. Is anyone else ready for Fourth of July barbecuing?
From the family reunion to the beach party, Outdoor Afro has got you covered on incorporating environmental stewardship into our outdoor grilling fun.
|
|
Grill what you bring, eat what you grill.Coordinate with the host to ensure that there is appropriate amount of perishable food for a group your size. By bringing appropriate portion and ensuring that no perishable items are discarded, you can significantly reduce the amount of end of the day waste. |
 |
Bring food in reusable containers.Pre-making your famous cole slaw or your sumptious fruit salad? Pick out a favorite bowl or platter from home to complement your special dish and reduce single use waste. Just dont forget it when you leave! |
 |
Bring or locate recycling containers.Many picnic sites have recycling bins which can be easily accessed by party goers. When hosting an event, make sure to locate them and advise your guests to utilize them. If the park does not provide recycling bin, convert a large box or multiple paper bags into recycling receptacles. After the bbq is over, you can easily drive these items to your nearest recycling center. |
 |
Use compostable or paper materials.Compostable utensils, cups, plates, and other necessary bbq items can be found at your local grocery store. Make sure #refusesingleuse plastics. |
 |
Picnic near a clean drinking water source.Fill up your #KleanKanteen or other resuable bottle at the nearby water fountain |
 |
Leave No Trace.Whether hosting or attending, do your part to ensure the picnic area is left cleaner than when you arrived. #LNT |
 |
Carpool.Reduce your carbon footprint and arrive in style by coordinating a carpool. Also, the folks who hit too much of #UncleDenzel’s punch will need a designated driver. |
Outdoor Afro wishes you and your family a happy and sustainable Fourth of July weekend!
Learning, Loving, and #SwimmingWhileBlack in Your Local Watershed
"Wherever you are, right now, you are part of a watershed. Think of it like an aquatic neighborhood, where the neighbors (i.e. the animals and plants) can be specific to your area, and the concerns and issues (e.g. pollution, damming) can affect the whole community."
Hi! My name is Tamara Johnson, and I am so lucky to be an Outdoor Afro leader! I had no idea that playing outdoors as a kid, capturing lizards, worms, and caterpillars, would be the foundation for my eventual career as a wildlife biologist, which is what I do currently. Being homeschooled for a few years provided open-ended opportunities to explore the outdoors and form my own questions, and thus, a personal, specific love for nature. As an Outdoor Afro leader, I love that I get a chance to foster those open-ended opportunities for others, operating under the philosophy that “wisdom begins with wonder.” Recently, my personal wonder has been inspired by learning about the waterbodies in my area, and the watershed that I live in.
Growing up, I did not know there was a stream next to my house. I was raised in an area of Atlanta named “Camp Creek,” but rarely did I actually note where that particular body of water was, and to this day I have never set foot in it. I engaged with wildlife, but my interests remained fairly terrestrial. I’d swam and canoed in lakes before, but streams, creeks, and rivers remained in my mind beautiful but unreachable, natural features you drive over or walk beside.
“Watershed? Watershed?? Uh...hmm….try not to look too confused...”
That was my thought process when I first heard the term. I was the new biologist intern at a government agency, listening to a presentation on the Conasauga River watershed during my first staff meeting. From the nodding heads in the room, this vague “watershed” concept seemed very important, and understanding it seemed essential to the conservation work we did. I did what any good intern would: I nodded and smiled, then went home and googled this new term.
I found out that a watershed is a specific area of land in which all of the streams flow towards a common point to form a larger body of water—similar to the way tree branches all stem from one trunk. Each stream is connected to the larger network of waterbodies. What happens to the streams in the beginning parts of the network (the smaller branches) can affect the downstream area (moving towards the “trunk”, the large river). For instance, the stream next to my childhood home is a part of the Chattahoochee River watershed, its waters eventually flowing into that major Georgia river.
Wherever you are, right now, you are part of a watershed. Think of it like an aquatic neighborhood, where the neighbors (i.e. the animals and plants) can be specific to your area, and the concerns and issues (e.g. pollution, damming) can affect the whole community. Since you are more than likely a primarily land-dwelling individual, how can you engage with the watershed you are in?From working in different watersheds in my career, and just enjoying hanging by streams, I have a few ideas for how to connect with your watershed, whether or not you want to get in the water:
Hop in and explore: Be empowered to get in the water and observe! There are so many fish, salamanders, frogs, and other critters that live under rocks, along the edges, and in small pools in these streams. Climb in and find out what your underwater neighbors are, and what type of habitat they like to dwell in. This can be done with respect to the homes of these creatures, and acknowledgement of potential limitations (stream depth, time of year, safety, etc.).
Learn the history: Did you know African-Americans were some of the first true stream ecologists? The river was a friend of our ancestors who used it as a guide, following along the network of streams to get to free land. They also used it as a cloak to cover their scent from those who wished to keep them in bondage. There are many historical connections to the waters of our country, and with a little research you can find out how the waterbodies in your area were used, whether for agriculture, electricity, or sustenance fishing, or in other unique ways.
Engage your community: As mentioned, what happens upstream in a watershed affects the downstream area. Learn how upstream factors are affecting the watershed, whether through pollution or destruction of stream habitat, and organize local efforts to keep the watershed healthy, through river clean-ups or similar activities. These efforts benefit the community and encourage stewardship of the nature in your own backyard.
Chill: Take time to go sit by a stream, lake, river, and breathe. Let the sound of the running water soothe you. Watch the birds, dragonflies, turtles and other critters play by the stream. Refresh and recharge in a wildlife oasis.
Through a mix of all of the above, I’ve learned (and am still learning) how to connect to aquatic environments in my community. Whether it’s from an ecological, historical, or environmental perspective, be free to engage the streams and creeks in your area. Let your wonder of the waterbodies in your backyard lead to wisdom in how to love and protect your watershed. Happy exploring!
