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Hike Clerb: an inclusive women's hiking group

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HIKE CLERB:
AN INCLUSIVE WOMEN’S HIKING GROUP

by

KIMBERLY QUITZON

A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC ANNENBERG SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS
SPECIALIZED JOURNALISM

August 2020

Copyright 2020 Kimberly Quitzon

ii
Acknowledgements

My deepest gratitude to my thesis committee chair, Professor Dan Birman. Thank you for
taking the time to help me appreciate the beauty in documentary filmmaking and boosting my
confidence with skills that are worthy of making an impact. Thanks to Dr. Amber Bradley for joining
my committee and showing enthusiasm in my topic of diverse outdoor representation. I would also like
to thank Professor Amara Aguilar, you offered great perspective in the importance of creating this
documentary for the health of our community. A huge thanks to my boyfriend Mark Escalante for
helping me on my shoot days. Thank you to my new friend Priyanka Suryaneni, a colleague that helped
critique my evolving edits throughout the semester. I’m sincerely appreciative of Evelynn Escobar-
Thomas who welcomed me into to her network of people. Lastly, but certainly not least, thanks to my
parents, grandparents, family and friends for making this opportunity possible. If it weren’t for the
village that raised me, I could never chase my dream of becoming a journalist.

iii
Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii
Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iv
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Prologue .................................................................................................................................................... 2
Meet Evelynn ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Meet Members .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Documentary Script ........................................................................................................................ 3
References ..................................................................................................................................... 11

iv

Abstract

Hiking is a unique part of California culture with infinite trails from Runyon Canyon to
Malibu Creek State Park. An active luxury available to Angeleno’s almost all year round. However,
studies show that outdoor representation does not reflect the diversity across the city or the country.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, “Blacks and African Americans who make up about 13 percent
of the U.S. population, accounted for about 1 percent of national forest visits in 2010. Hispanics or
Latinos, who make up about 17 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for less than 7 percent.”
The history of genocide, slavery and segregation in the U.S. has made it difficult for people of color
to enjoy the outdoors. From camping to kayaking, a study called the Ethnic Cleansing and America's
Creation of National Parks reveals just how long history has been ignored in the country. As a result,
Black, Native and LGBTQIA+ people have created their own outdoor communities. The Joy Trip
Project, Melanin Base Camp, and Queer Nature are a few of many platforms dedicated to
diversifying the outdoors.
Hike Clerb, is an intersectional women’s hiking club in Los Angeles founded by content
creator, Evelynn Escobar-Thomas. Her involvement in streetwear, activism and social media has
reached over 17 thousand people on Instagram alone. Her club is targeted towards young creative
women of color in L.A., but she has taken her group hikes to New York and Utah. Her expanding
network makes it easier for creative Black and Brown women to meet each other outdoors. Her work
in bringing awareness to the importance of outdoor representation is something Black people have
been voicing for a while.
In Carolyn Finney’s, Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African

v
Americans to the Great Outdoors, she “argues that the legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, and racial
violence have shaped cultural understandings of the "great outdoors" and determined who should and
can have access to natural spaces.” Author James Mills addresses this in his book The Adventure
Gap, where he looks at how “Minority populations are much less likely to seek recreation, adventure,
and solace in our wilderness spaces.” Historical context is the tip of the iceberg in the battle
reclaiming the outdoors. People also need to be seen in outdoor marketing and more importantly in
board positions for nature-centered brands. The Atlantic presented Five Ways to Make the Outdoors
More Inclusive suggesting that “some large companies and big brands have hired historians and
storytellers to mine their archives as complements to their marketing strategies.” Hike Clerb is a
product of these efforts and a slice of what it means to take up space outdoors.

1
Introduction

The documentary follows Evelynn Escobar-Thomas on a trip to Malibu Creek State Park
with her hiking club ironically named Hike Clerb. An inclusive group of women that use these
gatherings as way to connect with people they pay follow on social media. Escobar explains how the
club has impacted the lives of some of the members and how the group evolved into a healing
community. Escobar shares her motive behind creating the club after moving to Los Angeles to
become a social media manager.
Hike Clerb is just one of many hiking groups that brings like-minded people together in Los
Angeles. Although I followed one group, I found that there are a number of hiking clubs dedicated to
diversifying outdoor representation in the city. Black Girls Trekkin and Latino Outdoors are a few of
many hiking groups that emphasize the importance of bringing people of color together outside.
Escobar moved to L.A. from Virginia as a content creator and created a space for other incoming
Angelenos to find friends or business partners. Hike Clerb has also become a community of health
and networking for a number of creative Black and Brown women across Los Angeles. One member,
Jennifer Volcy is a painter that moved to Los Angeles to go to law school. She stayed in California to
continue her passion for painting and after finding Hike Clerb, developed a network of friends that
helped Volcy share her art in galleries. Although social media has been able to connect us globally,
these groups use the internet to reconnect people in person and also create a space for women like
Volcy to thrive.
I found that the reasons people of color decide to go outside varies. Some want to increase
representation and others simply want to stay healthy. An important factor especially within the
Black and Brown community. According to the CDC, “In the United States, Blacks, Hispanics,

2
American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs)
bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, premature death, and disability. For persons of these
racial/ethnic minority populations, health disparities can mean lower life expectancy, decreased
quality of life, loss of economic opportunities, and perceptions of injustice.” Therefore, it is vital that
diverse hiking groups come together and educate one another in the importance of exercise. However,
history is a driving factor that many groups are using as motivation to diversify the outdoors. Black,
Brown and Native people have been terrorized to stay indoors for so long that the origin stories of
popular National Parks like Yosemite, get lost in the erasure of its history. Therefore, groups such as
Hike Clerb are essential to keeping that history alive by educating their followers.

Prologue

In order to establish the group, we meet Hike Clerb during a trip to Malibu Creek State Park.
We hear from some of the members that have previously attended and get a feel for what type of
people attend the hikes. Escobar thanks a few of the hikers for coming and she introduces herself as
the founder. From there we are taken outside of the hike and into her home.
Meet Evelynn

As Escobar writes thank you cards to ship with her merchandise, we learn about the background
of where Hike Clerb came from and why she started the group. She explains her awareness of the lack
of diversity when she first started hiking which ultimately inspired her to create the group.

Meet Members

The more we learn about this simple hiking group, the more we learn about the importance of
outdoor representation. In the last half of my film we meet Jen, an active member that helps Escobar
with social media. We also meet Jennifer, a painter who has been to almost every single hike.

3
Documentary Script

PROLOGUE:
SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 1 00:00:08

Evelynn speaking to HC members

“When I say Hike you say Clerb, Hike-Clerb,
Hike-Clerb.”

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 2 00:00:15

Evelynn laughing

“With Hike Clerb it was essentially about
bringing everyone together from all
backgrounds.”
VO Jen
Hike Clerb Member
Clip 4 00:00:23

Jen Walking

“Last year I decided to join up see what it was all
about and I met a lot of really cool women”

VO Jennifer Volcy
Hike Clerb Member
Clip 3 00:00:35

Jennifer Interview

“Evelynn has found a way to make this huge city
feel so much smaller through Hike Clerb…”

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 2 00:00:36

People standing

“To actually bring a community to come out, be
active…
VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 2 00:00:42

People walking away FTB

“you know, get out of their houses and do
something, not a lot of people can say they can do
that.”
START OF HIKE
NAT SOUND
Clip 6 00:01:10

Malibu Establishing Shots
Ambient noise

4
SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 8 00:01:15

Evelynn talking to HC members

“Thank you guys for coming out today…

NAT SOUND
Clip 6 00:01:20

Malibu Establishing Shots
Ambient noise

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 9 00:01:30

Evelynn walking toward cam

“Next month we’ll be doing something for
women’s day…”

NAT SOUND
Clip 6 00:01:20

Malibu Establishing Shots
Ambient noise

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 9 00:01:50

Evelynn walking out of frame

“I’m Evelynn and I’m the founder of Hike Clerb
which is an intersectional women’s hiking group
in L.A.…”

INTRO EVELYNN
NAT
Clip 11 00:02:00

Fade to Street

NAT

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 12 00:02:10

Palm Trees

“I started going to national parks and things like
that…people that’s being left out”

NAT
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 13 00:02:15

Dog getting off couch

NAT

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 14 00:02:30

Evelynn sitting to write a note

“Not only that but just going into nature…and
start doing it really.”

5
NAT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 15 00:02:37

Evelynn Writing

NAT

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 14 00:02:58

Evelynn sitting to write a note

“I was someone who would go hiking by
myself…inclusive community behind it.

BACK TO HIKE WITH JEN
NAT SOUND
Clip 16 00:03:00

Malibu Establishing Shots

The ambient noise of walking

VO Jen
Hike Clerb Employee
Clip 17 00:03:00

Jen’s Feet Walking

“I met Evelynn a couple years after she moved to
L.A…..a lot of really cool women”

SOT Jen
Hike Clerb Employee
Clip 18 00:03:40

Interview

“I’m a home body by nature…explore my city
and see whats out there.”

NAT Jen
Hike Clerb Employee
Clip 20 00:03:45

Jen Walking Away

NAT

BACK TO HIKE CREEK
NAT SOUND
Clip 21 00:03:47

Malibu Establishing Shots

NAT

SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 22 00:03:55

Evelynn encouraging crowd

“Take your time…be a friend

6
SOT People Crossing Creek
Clip 23 00:04:00

People crossing creek

NAT

SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 24 00:04:10

People waiting

“Okay we’re going to keep going…everyone got
across.”

SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 24 00:04:28

Reaction Shots of people waiting

“You have all been initiated into HC...if you had
to sacrifice a wet foot.”

NAT
Clip 25 00:04:30

People walking single file

NAT

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 24 00:04:38

Reaction Shots of people walking

“I think what makes Hike Clerb really
unique…graphic designers”

NAT
Clip 25 00:04:50

People walking single file

“Stick to your right as much as possible….please
and thank you.”

VO Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 24 00:05:12

People walking FTB

“People just from creative industries…mixture of
creative people who have an affinity for nature
and their well-being”

INTRO JENNIFER
NAT
Clip 26 00:05:20

Establishing Shots

NAT

7
VO Jennifer Volcy
Hike Clerb Member
Clip 28 00:05:30

Jennifer’s house and painting
“My name is Jenniffer Volcy and I’m an artist a
painter and I’m a member of Hike Clerb...for
about 2 years now.”

NAT SOUND
Clip 29 00:05:49

Jennifer Painting

VO Jennifer Volcy
Hike Clerb Member
Clip 30 00:05:55

Jennifer Painting

“I initially saw just a post about it…that anyone
can show up to.”
NAT SOUND
Clip 31 00:05:58

Painting cut away

SOT Jennifer Volcy
Hike Clerb Member
Clip 32 00:06:00

Interview

“And I thought it was cool…have a good time.”

NAT SOUND
Clip 31 00:06:05

Painting cut aways

VO Jennifer Volcy
Hike Clerb Member
Clip 34 00:06:42

Jennifer painting with paper

“I feel like the group of women I typically
meet…It’s also impacted my creative life in a
great way.”

8
NAT SOUND
Clip 31 00:06:05

Jennifer putting paint down

NAT

EVELYNN PACKING
NAT SOUND
Clip 35 00:06:50

Evelynn’s Home Establishing Shot of books

NAT
SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 22 00:07:40

Evelynn packing merch

“With me being a transplant to L.A….much
smaller for them.”

NAT SOUND
Clip 35 00:08:00

Dog on couch

NAT
SOT Evelynn Escobar-Thomas
Founder of Hike Clerb
Clip 22 00:08:13

Evelynn writing on package

“not only that to bring a community…not a lot
people can say they can do that”

FINAL HIKE
NAT SOUND
Clip 35 00:08:17

Malibu Establishing Shots

NAT People walking

SOT Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 37 00:08:24

Evelynn Laughing

“When I say Hike you say Clerb”
VO Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 38 00:08:41

MASH Hike Establishing shots
“There’s never going to be too many of these
things...essentially about bringing everyone
together from all backgrounds.”

9

SOT Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 37 00:08:50

Evelynn calling people

“Can everyone come together we’re going to take
a group picture”
NAT SOUND
Clip 35 00:08:58

People taking pictures

NAT

SOT Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 37 00:09:00

Evelynn calling people

“Bring it in tight, bring it in tight”
VO Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 38 00:09:20

Group waiting for picture then walking away

“This type of stuff is what’s needed...start
something you’re passionate about.”

VO Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 38 00:09:42

Evelynn walking away

“It’s really such a wide array of people…that just
comes with so miuch joy in itself.”

10
SOT Evelynn
Hike Clerb Founder
Clip 37 00:10:00

Evelynn Talking to group

“Tag us in any photos…thank you guys..”

11

References

Escobar-Thomas, Evelynn. (Hike Clerb Founder) in discussion with the producer, Kimberly Quitzon,
February 2020.
Escobar-Thomas, Evelynn. HIKE CLERB, 2019. https://www.hikeclerb.com/.
Finney, Carolyn. Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the
Great Outdoors. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 2014.
Flores, David, Francisco Valenzuela, Nina S. Roberts, and Gennaro Falco. “Recreating in Color:
Promoting Ethnic Diversity in Public Lands: Rocky Mountain Research Station.” Recreating in
color: Promoting ethnic diversity in public lands | Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2018.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/recreating-color-promoting-ethnic-diversity-public-lands.
“HIKE CLERB.” HIKE CLERB. Accessed April 3, 2020. https://www.hikeclerb.com/.

Jen Martinez (Hike Clerb Employee) in discussion with the producer, Kimberly Quitzon, February 2020.

Jennifer Volcy (Hike Clerb Member) in discussion with the producer, Kimberly Quitzon, February 2020.
Kantor, Isaac. “Ethnic Cleansing and America's Creation of National Parks.” 28 Pub. Land & Resources
L. Rev. 41 : The Scholarly Forum @ Montana Law, 2007.
https://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1267&context=plrlr
Kroeber, A. L. “Indians of Yosemite.” Indians of Yosemite, Handbook of Yosemite National Park (1921)
by A. L. Kroeber, 1921.
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/handbook_of_yosemite_national_park/indians.html.
Mills, James Edward. The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors. Seattle, WA:
Mountaineers Books, 2014.
Mills, James Edward. The Joy Trip Project, 2014. https://joytripproject.com/.
Nelson, Glenn. “Why Are Our Parks So White?” The New York Times. The New York Times, July 10,
2015. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/opinion/sunday/diversify-our-national-
parks.html?referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F.
Tharpe, Tiffany. Black Girls Trekkin', 2015. https://blackgirlstrekkin.com/.
The Atlantic’s Marketing Team. “Five Ways to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive.” The Atlantic.
Atlantic Media Company, 2018. https://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/rei-2018/five-ways-to-
make-the-outdoors-more-inclusive/3019/.
U.S. Department of Health, CDC. “Health Disparities Experienced by Racial/Ethnic Minority
Populations.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2004. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5333a1.htm.

12
Villa, Luis. Latino Outdoors, 2012. https://latinooutdoors.org/.
Williams, Danielle. Melanin Base Camp, 2016. https://www.melaninbasecamp.com/.
Yaku, Pinar. Queer Nature, 2017. https://www.queernature.org/.

Abstract (if available)

Abstract Hiking is a unique part of California culture with infinite trails from Runyon Canyon to Malibu Creek State Park. An active luxury available to Angeleno’s almost all year round. However, studies show that outdoor representation does not reflect the diversity across the city or the country. According to the U.S. Forest Service, “Blacks and African Americans who make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for about 1 percent of national forest visits in 2010. Hispanics or Latinos, who make up about 17 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for less than 7 percent.” The history of genocide, slavery and segregation in the U.S. has made it difficult for people of color to enjoy the outdoors. From camping to kayaking, a study called the Ethnic Cleansing and America's Creation of National Parks reveals just how long history has been ignored in the country. As a result, Black, Native and LGBTQIA+ people have created their own outdoor communities. The Joy Trip Project, Melanin Base Camp, and Queer Nature are a few of many platforms dedicated to diversifying the outdoors. ❧ Hike Clerb, is an intersectional women’s hiking club in Los Angeles founded by content creator, Evelynn Escobar-Thomas. Her involvement in streetwear, activism and social media has reached over 17 thousand people on Instagram alone. Her club is targeted towards young creative women of color in L.A., but she has taken her group hikes to New York and Utah. Her expanding network makes it easier for creative Black and Brown women to meet each other outdoors. Her work in bringing awareness to the importance of outdoor representation is something Black people have been voicing for a while. ❧ In Carolyn Finney’s, Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors, she “argues that the legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, and racial violence have shaped cultural understandings of the “great outdoors” and determined who should and can have access to natural spaces.” Author James Mills addresses this in his book The Adventure Gap, where he looks at how “Minority populations are much less likely to seek recreation, adventure, and solace in our wilderness spaces.” Historical context is the tip of the iceberg in the battle reclaiming the outdoors. People also need to be seen in outdoor marketing and more importantly in board positions for nature-centered brands. The Atlantic presented Five Ways to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive suggesting that “some large companies and big brands have hired historians and storytellers to mine their archives as complements to their marketing strategies.” Hike Clerb is a product of these efforts and a slice of what it means to take up space outdoors.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Quitzon, Kimberly Charlene (author)

Core Title Hike Clerb: an inclusive women's hiking group

School Annenberg School for Communication

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Specialized Journalism

Publication Date 07/28/2020

Defense Date 08/01/2020

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag black women,Brown women,Hiking,intersectionality,Latinos Outdoors,Melanin Camp,OAI-PMH Harvest,outdoor representation,outdoors,Women,women of color

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Birman, Daniel (committee chair), Aguilar, Amara (committee member), Bradley, Amber (committee member)

Creator Email quitzon@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c89-350535

Unique identifier UC11664037

Identifier etd-QuitzonKim-8806.pdf (filename),usctheses-c89-350535 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier etd-QuitzonKim-8806.pdf

Dmrecord 350535

Document Type Thesis

Rights Quitzon, Kimberly Charlene

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the a...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA