A Joyful Wanderer Becomes an Explorer Chick

By day two, we knew we needed a new word. “Wow” just wasn’t going to cut it. And yet, as we turned each corner on our 11-mile hike through the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, no fewer than five of the ten women who comprised our group exclaimed “wow!” 

The vistas, the rock formations, the slot canyons, the determined plants growing out of the desert floor, the expansive brilliant blue of the sky.

Wow.

It was the second day of the Explorer Chicks four-day Arches and Moab National Parks Hiking Weekend. It was my first time traveling with this woman-owned company, which was founded by Nicki Bruckmann less than a decade ago. Jessica, one of our guides, made it a point to share the founder’s origin story during our four-hour drive down from Salt Lake City. A “suburban mom” who had been doing all the things that she thought she was supposed to, Nicki found herself unsettled, unhappy and yearning for more. Following a divorce, she was drawn to a life filled with adventure, exploration and the outdoors. Unable to find a company to fuel those desires for herself and for others, she built one herself.

That spirit infused this trip. As we hiked magnificent trails in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, watched the sunrise over Dead Horse State Park, and sang along to classic rock in the van, we absorbed the messages that the right amount of challenge is good, women deserve to take care of themselves, being in nature can be deeply restorative, and genuine connections can be forged among strangers.

These ingredients were delivered in perfect measure by the Explorer Chicks team and our two exceptional guides. Accommodations were comfortable, and each of our four hikes was unique, special and memorable. Meals were plentiful and delicious. Little surprises were nice touches, like the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, fuzzy aprés-hike socks, impromptu sunrise yoga and a group of women who showed up with hearts open to share this experience.

It was a perfectly executed four-day adventure. 

Explorer Chicks has made up a few of their own words—she-nanigans being my favorite—but I think they need to come up with at least one more, because “wow” just doesn’t cut it.