Board of Directors Feature: Nicole Prim
Nicole Prim fell in love with hiking after working in Montana on the border of Glacier National Park, and that love was cemented when she subsequently moved to Washington State. Having the privilege of access to green space is something she cherishes and works to ensure as many Americans as possible can also enjoy. Nicole explains, “I'm very personally and professionally fired up to be a piece of a larger puzzle of helping preserve and protect trail systems.”
Nicole is currently the CRO of BCom Solutions, a digital-first marketing firm that supports purpose-driven and impact initiatives, specifically focusing on philanthropy, rural causes, and sustainability. She also serves on the board of the *gameHERS, a women-in-gaming-centered professional development and social connectivity company. She holds a B.S. degree from Columbia University. Nicole recently moved to the DC area where, even in winter, you can find her exploring the local trails.
When Nicole reached out to express her interest in serving on the AHS Board she explained she is someone who unequivocally cares about the accessibility, education, and inclusion of all on trails. She hopes to be a board member who leads by example and will always be willing to get in the weeds – literally and figuratively - to continue to amplify and grow the AHS mission and impact.
We are thankful to have Nicole by our side! She is already off to a great start – planning to attend Hike the Hill® and a Volunteer Vacation later this year.
Highlights from our conversations with Nicole:
Why is hiking important to you?
I wouldn't have labeled myself a hiker until COVID when I realized I needed an activity that would get me outside and get me moving - something I could do easily by myself. I had recently moved to the Pacific Northwest for work and knew nobody, but through hiking and getting outside, I met friends and built a community. Actually, I met my husband through hiking. We both had mentioned we were hikers, so he picked a mountain for us to climb for our first date – Mt. Ellinor in the winter - to suss each other out. Here we are years later still hiking together and still trying to suss each other out.
What is one of your favorite places to hike?
Washington State is one of my favorite places to hike because you can hike year-round. The Olympics has lowlands near the rainforest where you can hike in the winter and then everywhere in the summer. But in particular, there is also the less popular cousin to all the big national parks in the area - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There's this one trail called Ptarmigan Ridge and it will take you straight to the eastern base of Mount Baker where you hike along the ridgeline looking at this ever-looming mountain and it feels like a pilgrimage. It feels spiritual. It’s a really cool experience. People should check out Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest!
What is one of your favorite hiking memories and how has it shaped your connection to the trails or the outdoors?
I’m torn between two. Last summer I did sixty sixty-mile backpacking trip with a friend through Glacier National Park. That was incredible. It's humbling because you learn so much about yourself when you're truly backcountry. There was a two-day period where we hadn't seen another person. The backcountry puts you through challenges and triumphs that can feel so random at the moment, but carry through into your larger life. One night we were in our tents in the middle of nowhere, and we started hearing the strangest bleating sounds from moose. We were thinking, ‘Oh no - hope we don't get trampled by a moose in heat. That would be so unfortunate!’ But when you go through experiences like that, you end up reflecting on everyday life as well. ‘Hey, I didn't get trampled by a moose that day - so I can do my everyday work easy peasy!’.
Then there was my honeymoon when my husband and I did the The High Divide Trail, which is about a twenty-two mile loop in the Olympics in Washington. We did it in one day, and it rained the whole time. Twenty-two miles in the rain, with an inch of water in my boots and significant elevation gain. But, by the time we passed our fourth black bear on trail, even being wet and cold, I knew I picked the right guy. I'm a type two fun person, so going through that, even on my honeymoon, and having the opportunity to look back and laugh - I appreciate that!
What role do you think trails play in building community and connecting people to nature?
I have never met a mean person on trail. The people I come across while hiking are some of the happiest people. People at least say ‘hi’ when they are passing by, and often stop to share what they have seen that day, whether some wildlife or a beautiful place to stop along the way. It's an environment where you're with people that just love what you love, and that creates an affinity and a bond.
What advice would you give someone who's new to hiking?
If you are brand-new to hiking - don't overthink it. It’s one of the few sports where you don't need a bunch of gear to get started. Just use the old JanSport backpack your kid used for school and put on your regular sneakers. Pack those ten essentials for safety, but just go out and do it. As you do, things will quickly become familiar. At first, you may not trust your own skills, but then you'll start to gain comfort, and know what your body can and can't do.
You begin to understand the patterns of nature, the type of formations, and what will be hard for you. Then, you can invest over time in what you need and what you would like to have. So unlike other great sports, which may have financial barriers to entry because of the high cost of gear, with hiking just go to your local park and take a lap around. Congrats - you're a hiker! Go for it, you’ll figure it out.
Do you have a dream hiking destination in the US?
My dream has been to do a rim-to-rim of the Grand Canyon, and I'm excited because I am going to do it this spring for my birthday. I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but I love the desert, so I can’t wait. We are planning to do it in a day. I’m not sure which one we are going to do, but if we do it in a day, we don't need a permit. We will start very early, because the base of the trail is the hottest. You want to time it so that you're at the base earlier than the peak of the sun, which means some hustling and a very early start. We feel good physically being able to do it, but neither James, my husband, or I are used to that environment - temperature-wise and humidity-wise – so this will be interesting!
Please join us in welcoming Nicole Prim to the AHS Board of Directors. We are thankful for her dedication to reach out to inspire others to hit their nearest trail and look forward to sharing her excitement for creating those backcountry memories! Set a reminder to check the AHS Blog in the spring when Nicole will share some of the highlights from her Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim adventure!
