Ponytail on a Trail Founder, Bradee Smith
How long have you been hiking? Who or what inspired you to hit the trail?
I first started hiking about 5 years ago when I relocated from Indiana to Denver, CO. This midwest gal had literally never hiked or camped in her life. I was extremely intimidated by the outdoors culture + lifestyle in Colorado but became immediately drawn towards hiking because it seemed the least intimidated and there was less of a barrier to entry. I started going on the basic, local hikes and taking down recommendations in my phone. My list kept growing and so I sort of slipped into a "weekend warrior" lifestyle. I'd work in Denver Monday through Friday, and then immediately pack my car to head to the mountains each weekend. And the more I saw, the more I realized there was SO MUCH more to see still! I became obsessed with seeing as many breathtaking spots in Colorado and every neighboring state as possible.
How did Ponytail on a Trail get started, and what does it look like now?
I started Ponytail on a Trail just about 2.5 years ago. I remember talking with a girlfriend about how helpful it would have been to find a blog or an Instagram page that guided newbies into their first hikes, camping trips, and so on. I had learned so many lessons the hard way through experiences and I realized I actually had a lot to share with other who may be in the same position as I was when I arrived in Colorado. I felt I could encourage other women to get outdoors from the perspective of a normal person. Not an expert. Someone who didn't grow up doing these things and wasn't much different from them at all. That's when I started Ponytail on a Trail. Fast forward 2.5 years later and it's grown to an amazing community of people who want to get outdoors. I do my best to both educate on how to get outdoors, and inspire people to go for it. The page has also evolved into an online fitness business where I am able to help women get in shape specifically for the trails! And I am leading my first women's hiking retreat this coming October in Zion National Park. So many exciting things that I honestly couldn't have even dreamed of when I first started out.
What has been your greatest travel accomplishment?
I would say that my greatest travel accomplishment has been summitting the highest point in Central America, which also happens to be a volcano. And the reason this means so much to me is because 2 years prior, I had done my first big volcano summit. The trip humbled me in a big way. I was extremely unprepared for the intensity and the elements and it was honestly a terrifying experience due to a massive storm coming in as we summitted. I feel like that trip had the potential to make me never want to do something like that again. However, instead of saying "that was scary and I must not be cut out for this more intense stuff,” the experience fueled me into wanting to prepare myself and do another one. I now take my preparation for difficult hikes, big summits and backpacking trips very seriously and created my fitness programs (The Fit for Hiking Guides) to help others do the same!
What advice would you give to someone who has been an avid day hiker and wants to get into backpacking?
For anyone looking to get into backpacking, my advice is this: get serious about research and go with people who know what they're doing first. Backpacking certainly is a different type of beast. It requires a higher fitness level, more mental tenacity and way more preparation. Going with someone who can show you the ropes when it comes to mapping, permits, packing, and all other forms of preparation is so helpful!
What’s on your travel or experience bucket list for 2021 or 2022?
So literally tomorrow, I am packing up to move into a sprinter van for an indefinite amount of time. My fiance, Shane, our two big dogs and I will be on the road starting with our wedding in the Grand Tetons and then moving on to the Pacific Northwest from there. We can't wait to spend our summer hiking, backpacking and camping in Washington, Oregon, and California! This is honestly a huge bucket list trip; to be able to go and not have a deadline of when we need to come back. I'm not sure how long we will be able to live in a van without going crazy, but we feel really grateful to be able to make it happen even if just for this season! □