On the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail with Ladies Who Venture

Ladies Who Venture is run by Gemma McCaw and Jess Baker, two women who've turned their friendship into a mission to get more women into the outdoors. 

"It's really about getting women in the outdoors," Jess explained. "We found personally that we've met a lot of people that loved following along with what we were doing, our different adventures, but just didn't maybe know where to start. Didn't maybe know what sort of gear to use or didn't have friends that were into it." 

That's the gap Ladies Who Venture exists to close, with the right training, gear advice, nutrition guidance, and above all, the right people alongside you. 

Gemma and Jess split the load, and it shows. Jess takes the lead on navigation, safety, route planning and hazard awareness her background as a sports physiotherapist means the group is covered from the trailhead to the summit. Gemma focuses on the experience as a whole, making sure every woman on the trip feels genuinely looked after, from food to the small touches that make a hut feel like home for the night. 

"We always, in our walks, have one of us at the front and one of us at the back, so we just manage the energy of the group as well," Gemma said. "We're always in constant communication around what our women need, because really, they're at the heart of these adventures and then walking away with a big smile on their face." 

Training is built the same way considered, gradual, and genuinely inclusive. "We take into account the vert as well, because a lot may have done plenty of training or walking on level ground, but not necessarily uphill," Jess explained. Programmes typically run eight to ten weeks out from a trip. "The last thing we want is someone to start out too hard and get an injury. Gradually getting them up towards where they need to be for the day so that they can enjoy it."

Ask anyone on the trip what stood out. It's the people. 

"Standout moments, boulder climbing, and really, to be honest, the chat," Gemma reflected. "There's been lots of laughs with this crew. Magic scenery, looking at the pinnacles, looking at where we are in the bush has just been amazing." 

"The best thing about these adventures is the women and the laughter and the connection," she added. "People just get to know each other and don't take themselves too seriously. It's all about the fun, the enjoyment, and just enjoying our surrounds." 

Some women on this trip had never spent a night in a backcountry hut before. Others were seasoned trampers. "It's been nice having a mix of levels of ability," Jess said. "A few have thrown out there that it was their best hut sleep ever, so that's always positive. And then there's some that are really experienced and have still had a great time."

Why we went along 

That feedback doesn't stop at the trailhead. It goes straight back into how we think about the gear we design.