What do we mean when we say someone is “outdoorsy”? Well, it takes all kinds, some more closely related than others.

Sporty

Defining Characteristics: Uses the outdoors for athletic pursuits, to challenge and refine the body. The world is their playground.

Motto: “Strava or it didn’t happen.”

• Open Water Swimmers
  Enjoy being called “nuts,” have conquered one of nature’s harshest conditions, and actually prefer the less crowded winter.
• Triathletes
  Think one discipline is never enough. When you think about it, the outdoors is one big course without a finish line.
• Rock Climbers
  Take the hard way up—it’s the whole point. There’s nothing in nature stronger than a single well-placed finger.
• Trail Runners
  Can knock off a dozen miles before it’s time to stop for a snack made of protein goo.
• Rollerbladers
  Believe one needs a lot of room to travel with wheeled feet. Making it look easy is harder than you’d think.

Earthy

Defining Characteristics: Finds connection with nature, and isn’t afraid to be quiet, still, and even spiritual in the open air.

Motto: “It’s the journey, not the destination.”

• Ramblers
  Can turn any neighborhood stroll into a nature walk, and may make it only a quarter mile down a hiking trail due to stopping to inspect every plant.
• Anglers
  Know that you can’t catch a fish until you truly understand it. Don’t understand the need to be dry all the time. 
• Foragers
  Won’t tell you their secret spots for fungi or nettles, but will happily wander through brush with you to find new ones.
• Tidepoolers
  Always wear the sturdy rubber shoes with good soles. They never touch anything with more than two fingers, just to be safe.
• Standup Paddlers
  Move with the waves, not against them. When it feels too easy, they will try a yoga pose on a choppy day.

Adventurous

Defining Characteristics: Exploring the wilderness is about venturing into the unknown, knowing that there’s pure thrill in seeing what’s beyond the horizon.

Motto: “The mountains are calling and I must go.” 

• Backpackers
  Have dehydrated dinner, will travel. Enjoy going to sleep knowing the closest neighbor is wildlife.
• Orienteers
  Get lost on purpose just for the joy of figuring out where they are. Whizzes with GPS.
• Mountaineers
  Have an indescribable need to be on top of any land mass in sight. Breathe better when the air is thinner.
• Mountain Bikers
  Never know exactly what’s around the next bend but know they’re going to find out very soon.
• Off-Roaders
  Know the map of jeep trails is probably inaccurate, and love that. Can winch their way out of any swamp, washout, or blowdown.