Katie Wade
Hometown: La Canada, CA
Superpower: Being able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, anyplace - which can turn date nights to the movies into a very expensive nap.
Favorite Trail Mavens lesson to teach:
Maps! I have trouble finding my way in an urban setting, but love me some trail and off-trail navigation.
How'd you develop your prowess as an outdoorswoman?
I grew up hiking in national parks with my family, but never camped since my parents weren't keen on the idea (and apparently 5-year-old me didn't like it much either).
In high school, a guy I had a crush on was going to a summer camp outside of Yosemite and I convinced my parents to let me go too. It was three weeks long, and I learned how to backpack, camp, wakeboard, and slackline. I was hooked, and ended up going back to the camp for two more summer.
When visiting colleges, I was at UC San Diego and saw a student riding down the sidewalk on a kayak with wheels holding a sign that said "Wilderness Orientation." I learned about the optional 10-day wilderness trip and was sold. I chose the kayaking trip in Northern Baja, Mexico, which included a 24 hour solo where I fasted and didn't see a single person for a whole day.
It was a tremendously powerful experience, and led me to spend the next four years developing my technical, medical, and leadership skills as a backpacking and sea kayaking guide, leading weekend to 10-day trips from the Eastern Sierra to the Colorado River to the Sea of Cortez.
How do you spend your time when you're not leading Trail Mavens adventures?
I’m lucky enough to spend my days working at Clif Bar on the Clif Kid and LUNA Brand Marketing Teams. I’ll likely bring the latest bars for you to try on my trips!
Outside of work, I spend my free time rock climbing, backpacking, mountaineering, paddle boarding, hiking, cooking, tasting beer, attempting to play banjo, and diving into home improvement projects.
I recently bought my first random-orbital sander, which felt pretty rad and now I’m trying to develop my green thumb in my backyard organic garden.
What's different about leading Trail Mavens trips (as opposed to guiding you've done in the past)?
Being all women makes it such a supportive, open, and comfortable environment. I come out the trips feeling so rejuvenated and re-inspired, instead of wiped out and ready to crash like I did in the past.
What piece of (unexpected) gear do you bring whenever you go outdoors? Why?
My electronic toothbrush goes with me no matter how deep into the backcountry I go. It's like a massage for my mouth, and I bring it because it makes me feel like no matter how filthy I am, at least have clean and minty teeth.
Top three places you like to play outdoors. Go!:
It's so hard to pick three! Since you're making me, the Eastern Sierra, Lake Tahoe, and Joshua Tree.
What piece of advice do you have for women before going on their first Trail Mavens trip?
Prepare yourself for a great adventure - the trip itself is only the beginning of your warm welcome into the Trail Mavens community.
What should ladies who are on Trail Mavens trips with you be sure to ask you about?
Gear. I love to talk about gear. You can also ask me about traveling in South America, the time I helped catch a thief, and how to make a gigantic piñata.