在澳大利亚，一股新的社交风潮正在山间蔓延。Cool Girls Club创始人Emily Duck于2025年3月推出了针对女性的引导式登山活动[1]，旨在帮助女性应对孤独和缺乏自信的问题[1]。该俱乐部已在18个月内迅速扩展其项目范围，从最初的登山延伸至夜间登山、攀岩和溪降等多种户外冒险活动[1]。类似的女性户外组织如Wild Women on Top也应运而生，反映了这一领域的增长趋势[1]。
孤独感问题为这些组织的出现提供了现实背景。澳大利亚近三分之一的人感到孤独，其中年轻和中年人群的孤独感最为严重[1]。与此同时，澳大利亚四分之一的青少年在15岁前就放弃了运动[1]。健康专家认为在自然环境中进行社交活动能有效缓解孤独、改善心理健康[1]。AllTrails首席医学顾问Suzanne Hackenmiller指出户外时间对女性特别有益，在更年期期间更能改善激素平衡[1]。
对参与者而言，这些活动带来了显著的生活改变。Wild Women on Top创始人、现年66岁的Di Westaway表示，99%的生活改善归功于冒险活动[1]。Emily Duck强调了这一理念的核心价值："作为女性，我们可以存在于户外。"[1]
Women across Australia are turning to specialized outdoor hiking groups to combat loneliness and build confidence, with organizations launching guided expeditions tailored to female participants. Cool Girls Club, founded by Emily Duck, launched its women-focused guided hiking activities in March 2025 and has since expanded to include night hikes, rock climbing, and canyoning [1]. The initiative reflects a broader trend, as similar organizations like Wild Women on Top are gaining momentum in response to widespread mental health challenges among Australian women.
The expansion of these groups addresses significant wellbeing concerns in the country. Nearly one-third of Australians experience loneliness, with younger and middle-aged populations reporting the highest rates [1]. Additionally, one-quarter of Australian teenagers quit sport before turning 15 [1]. Wild Women on Top founder Di Westaway, 66, credits outdoor adventure activities with transforming her life, stating that "99 percent of my life improvements come from adventure" [1]. Emily Duck emphasizes the cultural shift these groups represent, declaring "as women, we can exist outdoors" [1].
Research supports the therapeutic value of outdoor social activities in natural settings for alleviating loneliness and improving mental health [1]. According to AllTrails chief medical advisor Suzanne Hackenmiller, time spent outdoors holds particular benefits for women, with outdoor engagement capable of improving hormonal balance during menopause [1].