Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021 - 43

dedication of many people. After
settling in Pittsburgh, Gibson was
eager to find hiking and Nordic
skiing trails in her new environs. A
chance encounter at a Recreational
Equipment, Inc. class led her to
meet the instructor, Joe Triebsch.
His vast outdoor experience and
countless connections with other
local outdoor organizations have
been instrumental in growing the
WAC to what it is today. Others
contributing their talents to the
WAC include Lisa Minn, Elements
PT Yoga. Minn assists in yoga
and yoga hikes. Another member
lending her talents to the club is
Colleen Crivello, Zen Center of
Pittsburgh, who leads the group in
a monthly tai chi/qigong class.
A sample of some of the
activities the group offers include
biking, hiking, and outdoor yoga.
Monthly " bigger " adventures
include kayaking, rafting, stand-up
paddleboarding, skeet shooting,
mountain biking, Nordic skiing,
alpine skiing, snowshoeing, and long
day hikes in the Laurel Highlands.
If you noticed that a lot of
Nordic skiing at Wilderness Lodge, Wattsburg, Erie County.
engage in various types of outdoor recreation during the
years she spent in Alaska. As a beginner, she would not
have learned to ski or snowshoe, among other things,
without a mentor to loan her some equipment and
guide her. After experiencing the thrill and adventure of
participating in outdoor activities, she found herself in
Pittsburgh thinking, " Now that I know this, I cannot keep
it to myself. I want to share it with other women. I want
to build a community that helps women push past their
boundaries and emerge stronger and happier, with their
own amazing stories to tell. " Thus, the seed for the WAC
was planted. The WAC is a Pittsburgh-based community
of women who want year-round outdoor experiences.
With members ranging in age from college-aged women
to an inspiring 83-year-old, the club offers a variety of
adventures and challenges for a variety of experiences
and skill levels.
But just as " no man is an island, " it is also true that
no organization is built with just the skills and talents
of one person, and the WAC is no different. The WAC
was, and continues to be, built upon the hard work and
www.fishandboat.com
hiking takes place, you are correct.
The club hikes year-round. They
offer a " relaxed " hike for those
looking for a gentle hike without
excessive distance or elevation. More ambitious day-long
hikes throughout western Pennsylvania are frequently
scheduled. At the time this article was being put together,
the leadership team at WAC was planning to hike the
70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from mile marker 0
at Ohiopyle to mile marker 70
in Seward, near Johnstown.
So ladies, whether you
are a veteran of the outdoor
experience or a newbie
curious to heed the call of the
wild, this group may be just
what you have been looking
for to experience the outdoors.
For more information
www.instagram.com/womensadventureclub
www.womensadventureclubwpa.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2021
43
http://www.instagram.com/womensadventureclub http://www.womensadventureclubwpa.com http://www.fishandboat.com
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