This is Tanya.
Tanya is a vibrant soul who was born in India, but her family settled down in sunny landscapes of Southern California. Her passion for the great outdoors wasn't something she was just born with; it was nurtured by her father's thoughtful planning of family vacations to breathtaking natural wonders like the Redwoods and the majestic cliffs of Big Sur.
Her earliest memories of nature are painted with hues of adventure - chasing birds and meandering around a lush green park with a serene lake in India. Now, she thrives on the adrenaline of hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, cliff jumping, skydiving, and seeking any thrill that connects her to the wild.
“… it’s easy to get distracted and become disconnected from the natural world. The flipped perception of being apart from nature rather than a part of it… I always feel so renewed breathing in fresh air and seeing an untouched landscape.”
Tanya knows first hand that not a lot of Indians take up space in the outdoor industry. As she pursued her studies in Environmental Science, she often found herself as the lone representative of South Asians (besides her sister).
“I don’t feel excluded - but I don’t really feel included either. Especially for snow sports or water sports like boating or even surfing - these are not always easy hobbies to get into. They require financial investments that not everyone has and knowledge that at times gives off a kind of ‘locals only’ vibe. I don’t think it’s like this everywhere, and like many things you usually get into it because of someone you know. It even applies to camping, like if I wasn’t introduced to it because of friends, I’d never know how to pick a tent and what supplies I’d need or where to go spend a night in the woods.”
Tanya shared a memorable encounter during a backpacking trip with a friend, when they stopped to catch their breaths, and this older gentleman strolled up, eyeing their packs with curiosity. “Are these yours, ladies?” he asked, genuinely impressed. He even asked to lift them himself to gauge their weight. They made some friendly conversation and he closed by wishing he would see more young ladies take on vigorous backpacking trips.
It was a simple exchange, but it spoke volumes about supporting women, especially those of diverse backgrounds, in the outdoor community.
“It’s a type of outdoors love language!”
Through her experiences as a woman of color navigating the wilderness, Tanya has learned a valuable lesson: kindness and encouragement can pave the way for greater representation and diversity in outdoor spaces. It's a lesson she hopes others will carry forward, nurturing a culture of inclusivity and empowerment for all.
