The Naked in Nature Movement

There’s a new movement taking the hiking community by storm: the naked in nature movement. While yes, it’s partly about shedding your clothes and baring your bits, at its core it is all about promoting positive body image. And I’m all for it!

I was first introduced to this movement when a fellow hiker posted about the topless movement in Arizona. A group of women had started taking their tops off at certain hiking destinations in the state, and posing for photos with a bare back. This had me intrigued. Were these women simply looking for attention? Or was there another reason they were unveiling their breasts?

Turns out, the only attention they wanted was to shine light on body positivity. Instagram accounts like @getyourassintonature, @unlikelyhikers and @fatgirlshikeing are changing the way we see ourselves, our bodies and the way we look at others. They help remind us that our bodies are not just tools of pleasure or something to be gawked at. Our bodies are instruments to help us navigate the backcountry, climb mountains and carry 35lb packs on our backs.

The first time I completely stripped down in nature, there was an exhilarating feeling of… YES! That’s really the only way to describe it. It just seemed right. To strip down to my most natural self while surrounded by nature. Knowing that my perfectly imperfect body had climbed thousands of feet of elevation over 5 miles and celebrating its victory in one of the most beautiful mountain settings I’ve ever seen. And don’t get me started on natural hot springs! I mean they’re a clothing optional paradise. And they also make a great first place to go nude. Mostly because you’re likely to be surrounded by others who have opted to shed their layers (and not just clothing…people comfortable in their own skin like to talk too).

In a world filled with plastic boobs, injected faces and Photoshopped abs, our idea of perfection has become skewed. I know that most of us struggle with body image and accepting the temple we have been given. There’s always that push and pull of light and dark; love and hate. But, round or thin. Short or tall. Blond, brown or redhead. Groomed or natural. 
I have one message for you: You are perfect! Your body is beautiful! And you are stronger than you’ll ever know.

UPDATE: It took me 10 days to get this up and into the world. 10 days of me dealing with feelings of insecurities and thoughts like: Will they be offended? And then last night while I was laying in bed, I realized that what was holding me back from publishing this was the exact same thing that I am preaching. Which, in a nutshell is, fuck ’em. It’s your body! It’s your right to glorify your temple in any way you see fit. So, today I shed another layer. This is my way of taking back my body image. Of glorifying her achievements. Of making my body a vessel for change instead of a vessel for sexuality. I hope you will join me.

Have you joined the naked in nature movement? When and were were was your first experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Hike safe and see you on the trails!

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