The Alaska Women’s Winter Tour Experience and Female Empowerment
Today we’re celebrating women by sharing some key takeaways from the Alaska Women’s Winter Tour that took place February 16-23, 2023. The tour was organized by Danika Baldwin (better known as Girl in Alaska and one of our most adventurous brand ambassadors). We partnered with her to give away a spot in the tour, and the winner was Jeri Hawkins.
Spending time outdoors has greatly impacted Danika’s and Jeri’s lives. Read on to learn all about their experience on the tour and how being outdoors has empowered them!
Danika Baldwin, better known as Girl in Alaska
Q: How long have you been a tour guide in Alaska and what made you decide to do this?
I have lived in Alaska for more than 30 years and have always had a love for adventure and trying new things. I started to document my life in Alaska and experiences on Instagram about three years ago, and from that I was able to build a community of people who love and want to explore Alaska as much as I do.
I started to receive tons of questions online about Alaska in general, and from that I was able to create my business called Visit Alaska Today with Girl in Alaska. I started out doing travel planning for travelers wanting to explore our great state and eventually got the idea to host my own group trips. This is my first year hosting group trips in Alaska that I have fully planned myself, and this first all-female trip was one I will never forget.
I love sharing my home with others and seeing the looks and smiles on people’s faces, and hearing their laughs and their screams of excitement when they are able to do something they would’ve never imagined themselves doing. Alaska has a way of pushing you outside of your comfort zone and finding things within yourself that you never knew existed. I’m happy to be able to help others feel and experience that.
Q: From your experience, what's the biggest benefit of going outdoors?
Being outside makes me happy, it’s very simple. It allows me to explore new places, see new things, learn so much, push myself outside of my comfort zone, and now it allows me to help others. I wasn’t always outdoorsy, but when I finally got the courage to get outside more, I never looked back.
Having the right gear is extremely important as well. Living in Alaska we have all kinds of different weather thrown at us on a daily basis. But having the right outdoor gear (like heated gear from ORORO), allows us to get outside, even in the harshest weather conditions. Being outside just makes you feel good!
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from this tour?
I knew going into this first trip that I was going to not only learn a lot about these women I was hosting, but also I would learn a lot more about myself. I learned that we are not so different, we can all relate in so many ways. We were all there not only to experience Alaska, but to find and make new friendships, and we did just that. Being with other people and watching them be courageous and try new things pushes you as an individual and inspires you to do things you may never have tried on your own.
Going into this first group trip I was nervous, I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform and make sure these ladies had an incredible experience. The moment I met them and the laughter and jokes started I immediately felt a sense of calm, inclusion, and peace, it just felt right being there. I truly feel like I was meant to help people experience Alaska, and this first trip confirmed that for me.
Q: Is there anything you'd like to say to encourage more girls to go outdoors?
I’ve always been the type of girl that wanted to try new things, push limits and boundaries, and do the things that “the boys typically do.” I would like to encourage and inspire women of all ages to get outside more, learn how to fly an airplane, catch a fish and then cook it yourself, go on a solo hike or adventure, go on a group trip, or just do the thing you’ve always wanted to try!
I have never claimed to be an expert at anything, but one thing I take great pride in, is that I will always try something at least once. I’ll always try something new, I’ll always say yes to opportunities that come my way, because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been so surprised and thankful in doing so. I would encourage you to take the trip, try the thing, message that person you think you might have a connection with, get outside even if it’s by yourself, and you will surely not regret it.
Jeri Hawkings, winner of the Alaska Winter Tour Giveaway
Q: What was your main reason for wanting to join this tour?
I looked into this trip on a whim. I was on the ORORO site (looking at heated vests) and the site showed the Alaska trip, I read through it thinking wow that sounds wonderful. Never thinking again I would win…I mean who wins those types of vacations (never in my wildest dreams would I think of me) I was very hesitant when I received the message I won (ask Danika about that). I had just lost my boyfriend, life partner a few months prior to suicide. He was an avid snowmobiler, fisher, and winter weather man. We enjoyed biking, hiking and so many outdoor activities together: this was clearly a sign to me.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from the tour?
I can’t explain in words how being with these ladies made me feel. Being outdoors with amazing women was what I needed more than anything. It brought me joy and happiness I hadn’t felt in months. The activities, the outdoors and the beauty helped me in so many ways. It brought me back and showed me the beauty that is out there. It was invigorating and empowering to be around these strong ladies. I realized there is love and understanding and beauty in this world through nature and kind hearts. I thank you for giving me the sunshine, the activities and the people that made me feel the beauty of life again.
Now that you’ve learned from their experience, are you ready to spend more time outdoors?
Show us how you stay warm while you’re spending time outdoors, share and tag @ororo.wear for a chance to be featured by us.
