The Wilderness Patriarchy: Aversion or ExclusionPilch, Charlotte FemminismoutdoorshikingwomentrailsparksempowermentequalityequityGraphic DesignB DES Women are not engaging with the outdoors at the same rate and level that men are. There is a disparity in the world of outdoor sports, specifically hiking. The research conducted throughout this study revealed that 11% fewer women have hiked in the past year compared to men; women hike less frequently than men. This disparity does not prove to stem from a lack of interest. 50% of women have proven to be completely interested in gaining more confidence in the outdoors. Even as gender gaps begin to shrink in society, the outdoors still proves to be a gendered space. Through research and case studies, this work highlights the existence of gender gaps in the outdoors by determining where and why those gaps exist and how they can be solved. The goal is to ultimately create solutions to combat opportunity disparities. Taylor Marie Shipton, Thesis SupervisorJoel Douglas Priddy, Thesis Honors Advisoropen_access2026-04-02T19:15:41Zhttps://honors.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/9963cgp5237