I had no idea that BAME communities had been excluded from outdoor activities such as walking or hiking.

Jumping on the bandwagon springs to mind.

Actually I thought walking and hiking were the same thing but that's an aside.

So, Has anyone asked WHY BAME folks don't venture into the outdoors, I personally haven't seen any barriers to folks going into the outdoors. It is not just myself, most if not all of my MTB club agree. Are you creating a problem that isn't there? Is it just folks culture that prevent it and NO before you accuse me of racism, I don't care who uses the outdoors as long as they leave no trace other than footprints and take nothing but photographs and great memories.

My interest in the outdoors was sparked through a free week long school trip to Thornbridge Hall. After that I began cycling across the city and into the Peak District. Occasionally if I had a quid I would get the bus out to Castleton. None of my family or friends were interested, there was no scouts club on my estate so I went on my own. Seeing those caves everywhere got me excited. But when I tried to join the caving club it was hard to fit in. I didn't have the right gear, could never reciprocate giving a lift and found I couldn't even say the right things. I was the first person in the decades long history of the club to not pass the probationary period, apparently I was not "club spirited". At the time I did not understand what this meant, I thought I was weird, but it was basically a cultural difference. Being from the "other side of town" had not prepared me socially to thrive in that kind of environment. I was what HR people would now call a "poor fit".

I can't speak for any member of the BAME community but barriers to participation exist for all kinds of individuals. If you and most of your club members cannot see them, I do not think you are racist, but maybe you are not really looking for them.

I work with communities across East London. Barriers to getting outdoors are endemic. BME groups are stared at, commented on, noticed. Someone growing up on estate has no one to borrow gear from.

Just because you can't see the barriers just means they aren't in your way. Why not contact the local youth group or even friends of friends, take a mixed group of 10 BME people up a mountain and listen to what they say. Actually as Colin beautifully illustrates, take 10 people who would like to go up a mountain but never have and listen.

At Leeds uni i joined the mountain club as a mature student, overweight and unprepared. 20 years later i lead groups outdoors. there is SO much more to do to make the great british outdoors open to all.

Many thanks for Cath and Colin's comments, that really adds to the article and makes me understand this situation better.
When Richard Leafe (Lake District National Park) tried to discuss and address this issue some parts of the media really tore into him, as did folk on social media. Looks like recent renewed focus on lack of diversity across the board has brought this back to the surface.
Incidentally there was a great play at the Manchester Royal Exchange 'Black Men Walking' that was fun and thoughtful https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/whats-on-and-tickets/black-men-walking
The Kit Collective seems like a positive and efficient approach to addressing this issue.
As a (white) kid walking in the Peak District I'd not really twig until later how few BAME people I'd seen or met that day. I feel quite the same when in the Lakes. Of late DoE is one group that certainly seems to be addressing this.

Dear me, what is wrong with some people. If they're not trying to see a problem that isn't there, they're trying to fix something which isn't broken.

Absolutely everyone knows the outdoors are there and if they want to visit then they can. If they don't want to visit they won't.

Some people will inevitably find it more difficult due to money, location, transport, other commitments etc etc etc. But none of these have anything to do with colour, race, religion, or what they had for tea last night.

"Many of the barriers black people face are the same barriers everyone faces: access, time, resources and safe spaces. But a lot of people do see the outdoors as a white domain, a space where there is, unfortunately, always the threat of racism and prejudice." - Rhiane Fatinikun, founder of Black Girls Hike.

#Colin

Well someone who'd start an organisation called "Black Girls Hike" would say something like that. I've no idea where Rhiane goes to experience the outdoors or who she's been talking to but to say there's "always the threat of racism" is, in my opinion, a form of racism in itself.

Can you imagine the utter outcry is someone called Tracy Smith founded something called "White Girls Hike".

I almost didn't copy the bit with 'R' word because it I know it is contentious, but I figured taking a quote out of context to promote my own ideology would be disingenuous.

I have to admit #Lee Atkins does have a point (or 2)

All those comments asking why there is a lack of diversity and questioning reasons quoted for it, if the first hand testimonials aren't good enough evidence for you, there are studies and surveys that have been done to find root causes to the issue. They are out there and, if you can't finf them yourself, I have collected as many as I can together and would be very willing to share.

To those who are saying they're "trying to see a problem that isn't there" or that there "aren't any barriers to folks going into the outdoors"- this is simply untrue. I'd go so far as to say it's simply the "all lives matter" argument under a different guise; it's ignoring the inequality that perforates every aspect of society which has led to gross under-representation of people of colour in the outdoors.

Yes, the outdoors is for everyone. Yes, all lives matter. However at the moment, POC are grossly underrepresented in the outdoor space thanks to systematic and historic racism which does not allow the BAME community to feel welcome in the outdoors, or have the access, resources or opportunity to enjoy it.

If you don't think there's a problem...then I'm willing to bet that's because it's not a problem that's affected you. That doesn't mean the problem isn't there.

You're talking nonsense Alex. Very well written, but still nonsense all the same.

"inequality that perforates every aspect of society". Every aspect? I mean really, every aspect. That's wide sweeping statement.

"thanks to systematic and historic racism". Systematic? I mean really, systematic. You honestly think there's some grand plan against people of colour.

People like you who spout this kind of rubbish are the biggest part of the problem.

I think he meant "systemic" rather than systematic. Those that seek to close down the disussion that are the "biggest part of the problem".

I am from one of European countries, where I was always in the mountains as a teenager or a student. And there were many young people in the mountains along with older generation. When I moved to Scotland, many years ago, and started getting into the hills, I was surprised to see that majority of walkers are middle aged males. And they were always a bit patronizing seeing two young females in the hills. However, this never discouraged me from getting out there, so I have to say I am a bit puzzled about the talks that some groups of people are discriminated. I think it is more about how you feel about yourself. So I would never make a comment that the people discriminated me as a young female in the hills, but in today's reality many would do. If you think more people of colour should be out there, then make friends with them and invite them to the hills but do not educate everyone to do the same, as some people in general do not care who is in the hills, they do not close the eyes do the problem, they do not discriminate.

Colin, thank you, I did mean systemic. Unfortunately I think a typo is now about to undermine my entire argument, but there you go.

Peter, may I ask why you're so angry about this? I'm going to assume you're a white man- do you feel victimised by this conversation or something? Because maybe it's time for some home truths that white people (white men in particular) need to accept here...

Inequality DOES perforate every aspect of society. Yes, that is a broad sweeping statement, but that's because it's broadly true with few exceptions. The white and the wealthy (and mainly male) demographic still hold most power. This is a fact. I'm not going to waste my time explaining social bias because there is evidence for this absolutely everywhere, and if you refuse to see it then that's because you'd prefer to remain ignorant.

For instance, I do not know the first thing about you- but I'd wager that your boss is male and white. Because statistics.

But let's cut to the chase here- this is a cause designed to help people get access to the outdoors to make it more inclusive. HOW is that controversial? Because I'm willing to bet if this press release was about donating packs to a predominantly white cause, no one would be kicking up a fuss. But as soon as we highlight a disadvantaged demographic all hell breaks loose.

But please, Peter, tell me more about how I'm the real problem.

Thank you, Colin, I did mean systemic. I'm sure it the eyes of some, my typo will have undermined my argument. But nevertheless, in for a penny....

Peter, you were very quick to dismiss the fact that inequality is prevalent across our society. Why is that? Is it because you fear that dismantling a world designed by and for white men like yourself will be a threat to you? Because that's how it comes across.

Before you dismiss the fact that society HAS been built by and for white men...please don't bother. Just pick up a history book. Or better yet- look at your boss. A product of that history. Who will, more likely than not, be a white man. Because statistics.

Look- let's cut to the chase. This is the comment section on an article about a group trying to support disadvantaged people to enjoy the outdoors. Why is that contentious now we've acknowledged that the disadvantage is more prevalent in minority communities? Because I highly doubt this comment section would be kicking off on a press release about donating kit to a predominantly white cause.

But please, Peter. Tell me more about how I'm the problem.

Also, @Lee- I spoke to Rhiane from Black Girls Hike at Kendal Mountain Festival last November. She told me, with zero animosity or anger, that she had just been called a n!igger by a stranger while walking through the basecamp. She just mentioned it casually and carried on with what she was saying. I was floored at such blatant racism, but she just shrugged. This was a regular occurrence for her in the outdoor space.

No 'Tracey Smiths' have to deal with that, do they?

If you knew you were going to have to deal with verbal assaults on your walk along the trail, would you be so keen to go? Wouldn't you feel safer if you were in a group of other people like you, so you weren't alone?

You shouldn't have to be thick skinned to enjoy the outdoors. Not everyone is. But groups like Black Girls Hike offer a safe space for people who don't always feel safe in the outdoors.

It's a horrible reality we have to come to terms with, but the outdoors can be racist and cruel. But the sooner we address that, and stop burying our heads in the sand, the better.

@Lee- I spoke to Rhiane from Black Girls Hike at Kendal Mountain Festival last November. She told me, with zero animosity or anger, that she had just been called a n!igger by a stranger while walking through the basecamp. She just mentioned it casually and carried on with what she was saying. I was floored at such blatant racism, but she just shrugged. This was a regular occurrence for her in the outdoor space.

No 'Tracey Smiths' have to deal with that, do they?

If you knew you were going to have to deal with verbal assaults on your walk along the trail, would you be so keen to go? Wouldn't you feel safer if you were in a group of other people like you, so you weren't alone?

You shouldn't have to be thick skinned to enjoy the outdoors. Not everyone is. But groups like Black Girls Hike offer a safe space for people who don't always feel safe in the outdoors.

It's a horrible reality we have to come to terms with, but the outdoors can be racist and cruel. But the sooner we address that, and stop burying our heads in the sand, the better.

Still talking rubbish Alex,

Who said I was a white man and as I own the (very small) company I am the boss who, despite the name is from one of your minorities.

As a person of half colour; work that out bit for yourself, I've found people like you that create a much bigger problem than there actually is and are in some ways making things worse for 'us'.

Peter I didn't say you were white, I was asking the question because I couldn't understand what your problem was.

But I'm glad to hear you're the boss- what with your open minded attitude and respect for opinions different to yours, I'm sure it's a truly enlightened workplace.

That there is a deficit of the spectrum of the community in the hills should be a matter of concern and open discussion. To say there is no problem, when the activity does not represent the community it dwells within is rubbish. We have to perhaps reflect on our own journeys into the countryside. Where did it begin. Are the same opportunities to access the hills, eg a mentor or passionate enthusiast available within The BAME communities? In most cases probably not perhaps because of cultural or immigrant roots from very different countries. I welcome an open discussion and look forward to all activities reflecting the diversity in society. We're all Jock Tamsons barns.

I am a woman from a BAME background and I echo the thoughts of Colin, Emma and Alex above, thank you. I am in fact one of the group's that is supported by Kit collective and although it may seem to many that this cause is not addressing the route of the problem, I have first hand seen the positive impact it has had in our group and I applaud them for what they are trying to do. Many of our group members cannot afford all of the hiking equipment and it puts them off from outdoor activity, this is of course stemmed from systemic and historic inequalities that still has a knock on effect on the BAME society today.

Yes some of the points made are factually correct i.e. the outdoors is for everyone - however the point is we want to feel safe in the outdoors. The all lives matter argument as mentioned above comes to mind. We do get discriminated against and to say it's our mindset or we need to go throw thicker skin is ignorant, most of us like Rhiane are used to hearing comments, abuse, stared at, it doesn't deter us from going outdoors but we find safety in groups. If people don't want to be educated that is fine but commenting on here about it not being a problem and not willing to be open to hearing another perspective is remaining ignorant to an issue which is clearly in need of addressing