It's a rainy, cold morning in Anchorage, perfect for staying indoors with a cup of coffee and a good book, but Hike It Baby trip leader Kelsey General is having none of that.
Pulling up to Far North Bicentennial Park, General greets other parents and pulls her young son from his car seat, strapping him in a soft carrier on her back. The others, a collection of moms, dads and grandparents, along with a range of babies and toddlers, gather in a circle for quick introductions before sloshing down the trail toward Campbell Airstrip.
For nearly two hours, they will walk, talk and encourage kids and each other to savor this time together in Alaska's wilderness.
The contingent, led by General and a host of other volunteers, spends nearly every day bolstering the efforts of parents to get outdoors regularly. Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2013 by an outdoors-loving mom who wanted to find others with similar interests, Hike It Baby has expanded across the United States to rave reviews.
In Alaska, five branches of Hike It Baby are taking the state's trails, pathways and sidewalks by storm. From Fairbanks to Kodiak and south to Juneau, toddlers are toddling, babies are packed along and parents are blessed with an abundance of positive peer support.
This, General says, is the essence of Hike It Baby and the reason she continues to lead well into her pregnancy with a second son.
"I was not an outdoor enthusiast before my son was born, although I did get out for walks, but Hike It Baby changed my life," General says. "It's a community that motivates me to get outside and has provided lifelong friendships with other parents who share the same goals."
Granted, getting outdoors during Alaska's wet or snowy days can be a challenge, she admits. But the thought that a few hours spent outside will benefit her and her son keeps General motivated.
"Sometimes I'll wake up and look outside and think, 'Nah, this is an inside day.' But then I'll see there's a hike scheduled and know both my son and I will feel better afterwards," she says. "So we bundle up and never regret it."
Rain or shine, freezing or snowing, Hike It Baby outings proceed, with more and more parents joining the group.
Structured so that it's a free experience, the organization operates with a philosophy of volunteerism and support. Participants are added to a Facebook group for updates and questions, and leaders post their hikes on the Hike It Baby website, including a short description of the hike, directions and special notes for gear, trail conditions or ride sharing.
Leaders are tasked only with providing a point person for each hike, regardless of distance or terrain. The welcoming atmosphere of each group defines the overarching theme of strengthening one through the support of all. There is, General notes, never any solitary hiking or judgment of ability.
"We are on a 'leave no mama (or papa) behind' mission," she emphasizes.
In addition, Hike It Baby believes in helping new parents prepare for outings in a variety of weather conditions. Regular gatherings focus on topics like layering, baby wear and child carriers for older toddlers. Clothes and gear are often swapped or sold as kids grow or comfort levels change, and meet ups are often spent trying on different back- or front-packs to see which fits best.
Clearly, Hike It Baby fits Alaska parents. As a rainy autumn descends into another long season of snow and cold, General and her cadre of dedicated leaders are adamant about encouraging all parents to pull on snowsuits, don mittens and take their babies outside. Undoubtedly, the benefits will extend far beyond today's hike -- these kids are gaining valuable impressions and an introduction to wellness that will last a lifetime.
More about Hike It Baby
The Hike It Baby website provides a nationwide database and blog for hikes and walks across the country. Interested participants can search a hike in their state or find a hike while on vacation. www.hikeitbaby.com.
Participants range from parents and grandparents with infants to those who wish to get outdoors with older children, so hikes are scheduled at a variety of times and days.There is no age limit.
New parent hikes take place on the first Wednesday and second Saturday of each month to better equip parents of newborns and infants with the tools for safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences.
Toddle Tuesday is geared toward new walkers and meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at varying locations. Check the website for details.
Winter layering workshops are scheduled in Anchorage for Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11:15 a.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:15 a.m. Both events are free but do require registration.
Erin Kirkland is author of Alaska on the Go: Exploring the 49th state with children, and publisher of AKontheGO.com. Connect with her at e.kirkland0@gmail.com