Why Only White People Hike

September 12, 2013 in Daily Bulletin

Search for an image of hikers and they’re invariably white points out Ryan Kearney. Why?

  • You’d think hiking would be cheap, but it’s actually pretty expensive and minorities are usually poorer than white Americans. Backpacks and tents cost a lot and people have to fly or drive to their hiking destination.
  • Not to mention the time costs. If you’re working two jobs you probably don’t have the time to explore the wilderness.
  • For rich minority individuals camping might remind them too much of a difficult past that they were lucky to escape. Their idea of vacation thus involves relaxing at a seaside resort.
  • The Outdoor Industry Association, for its part, is somewhat concerned about the lack of minority groups who enjoy the outdoors since they’re making up an increasing share of the population.

Read more here.

Source: The New Republic