As part of the Women’s Issue of Adventure this August, we took a deep dive into the world of women’s tramping and hiking. We reached out to an inspiring and diverse group of women adventurers, from seasoned trekkers to weekend wanderers, to uncover the heart and soul of their journeys. We asked them the questions that matter: Why do they hike? Where do they go to find their solace? And with whom do they choose to share these moments of wilderness?
Their answers revealed not just the physical landscapes they traverse, but the emotional and spiritual ones as well. These stories capture the essence of connection. Each tale is a testament to the enduring power of the trail, where every step taken leads to new discoveries, both outside and within. These are their stories:
Name: Claire McCall
Age: 57
Region where you live: Auckland
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How many years have you been tramping? Since my early 40s so approx. 15 years. I still have the Facebook post of me sitting having a rest on a rock halfway up The Pinnacles track in the Coromandel with the caption: ‘What part of the name The Pinnacles didn’t I understand?’
Why do you tramp, what does it give you? When I first started hiking, I didn’t realise how addicted I would become to the sheer challenge of walking for hours on end. It was exhilarating. Hiking is a ticket to places you’d normally never go. It’s a reason to travel, both locally and abroad. It gives me a sense of freedom, of accomplishment but also companionship. I usually hike with a group of girlfriends (we’ve completed all the Great Walks) and it’s great to connect with them en route. Meeting new people, too, is a bonus. The shared interest in hiking makes conversation easy. On a thru hike through France, I met some wonderful women who I have kept in contact with – so now I have friends on the other side of the world (all because of hiking).
If there has been one amazing tramp that stands out in your mind – can you outline where it was and why it was so memorable? In 2022, at the age of 55, along with my partner James, we set off to tackle four stages of the Hexatrek – a new long-distance route in France that traverses the mountains of the Vosges, the Jura, the Alps, the Ecrins and the Pyrenees. I hadn’t done anything longer than a Great Walk before, so it was a huge challenge. We stayed in huts (both non serviced and serviced), campsites, wild camped and in hotels. I’m not going to lie: there were tears and tantrums. I discovered many fears, among them falling, patou (the sheepdogs that live with the flocks in the high mountains), and cows! But I also discovered a resilience I never knew I had. Along the way, we got Covid and had to stop for a few days; there was too much snow, so we had to detour down to the Camino where we camped at a trout farm; we met two incredible Swiss women who I played Scrabble with, in French; and so many, many other stories. In 64 days, we made it 1340km from Wissembourg on the German border to Nice on the Mediterranean and climbed seven times the height of Everest! As a professional journalist, I couldn’t help myself: I came back and wrote a book about it. It’s called Hiking the Hexa (available at The Women’s Bookshop and Unity Books in Auckland, on Amazon.com or directly through the author on clairemccall.net)
Do you ever feel at risk or disadvantaged being a woman tramper? If so, when? The only time I have felt at risk is when the path on the ridge I was walking along was so darn narrow and sloped and made like an ice-rink due to scree that I just about had conniptions. But I have never felt at risk from fellow hikers or strangers on the path – but then I have never hiked alone. Women are superbly resilient and tend to look out for each other. What we lack in strength, we make up for in fortitude.
Looking back on your journey, what advice would you give to yourself when you first started tramping? Pace yourself. Slow and steady wins the race. It’s a lesson that was beautifully illustrated at the Creux du Vin, in France, where a wily old fella was walking slowly but steadily up the 18-switchback path. We and many day-trippers passed him en route but, of course, we all ran out of puff before the top and on he went, without stopping. Wise. Also, invest in some good gear. The first time I stayed overnight in a DOC hut, I had a hopeless cheap supermarket-brand sleeping bag – and I feel the cold. I spent a miserable night, tossing and turning, but next time round, I was toasty warm (and the bag packed up smaller and lighter than that original one).
What advice do you have for women new to hiking who might feel intimidated? Don’t look at Instagram! Honestly, there are some accounts where the women have skimpy outfits on, their hair is immaculately tied back or brushed and glossy, and I swear they even have a hint of lippy on. The reality is you will probably be looking ruddy faced, mud up to your knees and hair like a rat’s nest. But that’s what’s so great about hiking! Also, start at your level. You wouldn’t do a black ski run first off, so choose an easy hike. One of the recent, easy hikes I did was the Pahi Coastal Walk in Coromandel (catered, and you only carry a daypack, but it’s a good taster). Find a group of girlfriends to go with. You’ll never look back.
Can you suggest any specific hiking groups or communities to join for support and companionship? Try your local tramping club (Auckland Tramping Club or North Shore Tramping Club in Auckland), look on Meet Up for hiking groups specifically for women. Walking Legends host guided hikes in the North Island. Or just plan a hike yourself and invite people along. Before you know it, you’ll have your own little posse. I can’t tell you how many groups of women we’ve come across on our travels through NZ and overseas who now hike together regularly.
