A message from Anna

On a cold February in 2011, I sat in a class and dreamed about hiking and backpacking. I thought of warmer days, sunny skies and the laughter of women ringing out over the trail. And I dreamed of meeting other like-minded women from around the country. It was at that moment that I realized that there was no avenue for such a thing. There was nothing out there to bring women together from all over the country, to share in our common love of the outdoors. I knew that what we needed was a hiking and backpacking conference for women of all ages. A place to learn, share and grow.
At that moment, The Summit was born.
I had zero experience in hosting conferences, planning big events, finding sponsors or advertising! However, my mother always taught me that it was just as easy to dream big as it is to dream small, so I didn't let such things stop me. I shared my dream with some close friends and along with a group of intrepid Trail Dames, started planning. Four months later, we gathered with 60 other women in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Joined by clinicians, speakers, vendors, sponsors and award winners we proceeded to do exactly what we set out to do—celebrate women in the outdoors.
For three days we laughed, learned and dreamed. And made some wonderful friends along the way. When we were done, we knew that something very special had been created and that we owed it to the women of the hiking community to further this project.
Well that was eight years ago and we are planning our 7th Summit!! This year, Margaret Webster has taken over the helm and is working with our fabulous Summit Committee to make the 2022 Summit the best ever!!! I hope that you will join us! We promise you an experience in learning, laughter and life that you will treasure for years to come.

-Anna Huthmaker, aka Mud Butt
Founder and President of the Trail Dames and the Summit