Hiking in a Skirt

[AMM]

I spent last week with my sons on Lake George (northern New York State), which is on the edge of the Adirondack mountains. I spent a lot of time on the lake -- about 24 hours ago, I was having an absolutely perfect time in a Sunfish, to the point that I said it was a crime to be on shore on such a beautiful day -- but in the early mornings, I would go on hikes.

Since I'm not yet "out" to my kids, I didn't wear skirts during the day, but I wore them on my pre-dawn hikes. I had my long (33") denim skirt and some knee-length ones.

There was one trail I wanted to try in a skirt, up to a rock where you get a panoramic view of the lake, because the last few hundred meters involve scrambling up rocks and tree roots at about a 60-- 70 degree angle, but unfortunately they closed the trail this year. (They said it was "unsafe", but I think it was just badly eroded.) The remainder of the trails were the usual mix of jeep trails and dirt and rock paths through woods. I'd thought that fallen logs might take a teeny bit of handling with the long skirt, but as it turned out, it was no different from climbing over in shorts.

I'd hoped to see the sun rise over the other side of the lake, but the days were all cloudy and humid, so it was a choice of clouds or clouds and haze.

The biggest problem was that the skirts weren't all that cool. The first day was cold, but I still found I sweated (in the long skirt) a lot as soon as I started walking uphill. On Thursday it was warm (about 65 F), and I was drenched by the time I got to the top.

On the last day, I wore a 20" bright yellow skirt with a cotton slip, T-shirt, short socks, and hiking boots, and I was still dripping by the time I got to the top. (For those who worry about chafing between the legs: sweat makes a good lubricant.) There was an occasional rain shower, but it didn't make me any wetter, only cooler.

But when I stood on the rock, the cool breeze blew up my skirt and made it all worth it!

-- AMM

[crfriend]

The biggest problem was that the skirts weren't all that cool [for hiking]. The first day was cold, but I still found I sweated (in the long skirt) a lot as soon as I started walking uphill. On Thursday it was warm (about 65 F), and I was drenched by the time I got to the top.

Skirts can be surprisingly warm; I can frequently be found shovelling snow in the US Northeast winters whilst wearing a moderately heavyweight cotton skirt and opaque tights (US meaning). You need to pick your fabric carefully. I remember, many years ago, seeing a woman digging her car out of a driveway wearing a very log, seemingly heavy, skirt. At the time I thought to myself, "What is she thinking of?" I've since learned.

But when I [reached the top], the cool breeze blew up my skirt and made it all worth it!

Isn't that absolutely grand?! 'Tis such a shame that most blokes will never feel that sensation. (But they still slag off on us lot. Go figure.)

By the by, tell the kiddies; they'll find out on their own anyway, perhaps "on-line". You may find that they're more accepting than you think (although, if there's an ex-spouse in the picture...)

[WSmac]

AMM,

I started out 'telling' my daughter by finding references to men wearing skirts from other parts of the world.

National Geographic is a good start.
I also have a couple of other books that show Sulus, Sarongs, and other skirted types of men's garments.

I'll have to look for them in storage so I can get you the titles.
One of them is especially good.

I just left these around in plain sight, and sometimes opened them up with my daughter.

What might be helpful also is to make a matching set of sarongs for you and the kids. It could be nothing more than a long run of cloth cut up into the appropriate number of pieces, and tied about the waist for wear at home.

The thing is to not stress too much how 'normal' it is, so as to seem overly self-conscious about it.

My daughter had already figured out the 'possibility' of my being transgendered before I ever talked with her about it.
She was familiar with Monty Python and men wearing women's clothing for comedy, but when she brought up Eddie Izzard because a friend from Girl Scout camp had mentioned him and transvestites, I realized my opportunity to open up to her was NOW and I took it.

All has worked well and I enjoy wearing a variety of skirts in our community even with her in tow. She's fourteen and starting High School tomorrow by the way.

Good luck with your children! I'm sure as long as you present an attitude of 'this is normal' in regards to your skirt-wearing, they will have less reason to question your doing it.

[Skirt Chaser]

My daughter had already figured out the 'possibility' of my being transgendered before I ever talked with her about it.

That is a very good point to consider. Kids are smart and it isn't always easy to keep secrets around them. If I recall correctly AMM, you have two teen boys? They might already be feeling you keep something hidden from them. Telling about yourself might ease worries they could be harboring.

Quiet Mouse

[sapphire]

I used to do a lot of hiking and NEVER considered wearing a skirt. Hiking is one of those things where I feel that a certain amount of body armor is appropriate. Between the scratches from vegetation, rock damage and the bugs, I just wanted to be as protected as possible.

I'd consider a skirt for a simple stroll along the local rail trail, but not for climbing MT Washington.

Other activities where I would eschew a skirt include tree climbing, bicycling, waiting a bus stop during a snowstorm, high wind conditions and x-c skiing.

Diana

[AMM]

I used to do a lot of hiking and NEVER considered wearing a skirt. Hiking is one of those things where I feel that a certain amount of body armor is appropriate....

I'd consider a skirt for a simple stroll along the local rail trail, but not for climbing MT Washington.

I used to feel that way, and always wore jeans. Now I'm older and less energetic, and I find that the sense of heavy canvas pants legs dragging at my every move, especially when soaked in sweat, more than I care to deal with, so I hike in shorts (when I'm not in a skirt ).

It's been a few years since I had the chance to hike up to the top of Mt. Washington, but I went to the top of Adams and Madison in shorts, and don't recall any problems with bugs or banging into things. While I wasn't wearing a skirt then, I believe that the short skirt I had on last week would have protected me as much as shorts, and the long demin skirt (4 layers altogether) provided as much armoring as jeans. I also have long socks that come up well over my knees which I could use to protect my calves.

Where I'd be worried would be if I had to scramble over rock outcroppings and the like. Maybe someday I'll have a week or so in the White Mountains to try hiking up, say, the Caps trail in a variety of skirts. I'm not sure I'd try the Huntington Ravine trail in a skirt, though. (Given how the AMC guidebook describes it, I'm not sure I'm ready to try it in shorts or jeans, either.)

Note that a century ago, there were quite a few women who climbed up Mt. Washington in skirts -- the long ones, with lots of petticoats. In more primitive conditions than today. So it's not impossible.

Other activities where I would eschew a skirt include tree climbing, bicycling, waiting a bus stop during a snowstorm, high wind conditions and x-c skiing.

Haven't done much tree climbing or waiting at a bus stop in a snowstorm lately, but I do bicycle in a skirt 3--4 times a week. I hadn't thought of x-c skiing in a skirt, thanks for the idea.

I've not done downhill skiing in a skirt, but every now and then I see a women who does (usually with snow pants on underneath.) I'd be worried about getting the skirt caught in the lift chair, and if long enough, perhaps under the skis. But, hey, it might be worth a try someday! The worst that could happen is that I decide it was a bad idea. And I could use a few more (not so) youthful follies to "regret" in my old age![*]

-- AMM

[*] I remember a short story whose main point was that you're better off regretting what you've done than what you haven't done.

[Kilted_John]

I used to do a lot of hiking and NEVER considered wearing a skirt. Hiking is one of those things where I feel that a certain amount of body armor is appropriate. Between the scratches from vegetation, rock damage and the bugs, I just wanted to be as protected as possible.

I'd consider a skirt for a simple stroll along the local rail trail, but not for climbing MT Washington.

Other activities where I would eschew a skirt include tree climbing, bicycling, waiting a bus stop during a snowstorm, high wind conditions and x-c skiing.

Diana

Diana,

To provide protection for the calves, a thick pair of soccer socks, or wool knee-highs will do the job with just about any skirt. They'd also help wick away the sweat...

Tree climbing, yeah, that might be a stretch. The rest shouldn't be that much of a problem, provided that said skirt is heavy enough to stay down. This coming winter, I plan to do kilted snowshoeing. Should be pretty comfortable, as long as I don't sink up to my thighs in snow...

-John

[sapphire]

Hi Kilted John,
Thanks for the idea about the soccer sox.

One of the big reasons that I prefer pants is that I'm an incredible klutz. My sport of choice in high school was swimming because, once you're in the water, you can not fall down.

THe thought of x-c skiing on the golf course behind my house attired in a mini and knee highs is very appealing, but I'd just get wetter faster.

Diana