maria lipkina

Guide and Risk Management Coordinator

Hometown: San Francisco

Superpower: Feeding my friends!

Favorite Trail Mavens Lesson to Teach:

Leave No Trace.

How'd you develop your prowess as an outdoorswoman?

In college, I took a 9-week outdoor field course and started participating in the student-led outdoor trips through the Recreation Department. I was immediately hooked and haven't stopped yet!

How do you spend your time when you're not leading Trail Mavens adventures?

I work for a high school in San Francisco as the Student Life Program Manager. I get to plan field trips, dances, outdoor expeditions, and events for the students--essentially, all the fun parts of high school!

When I’m not on the clock, I try to fit in as many climbing sessions, bike rides, yoga classes, farmers’ markets, and dinner parties as possible (not to mention weekend backpacking trips).

What's different about leading Trail Mavens trips (as opposed to guiding you've done in the past)?

Most of my other guiding experience is with mixed-gender groups of kids and teens. Guiding with groups of adult women is quite different, in all regards. I especially appreciate the conversation that happens in a group of adult women--it’s unlike anything else!

What piece of (unexpected) gear do you bring whenever you go outdoors? Why?

I love my Nalgene splash-guard that fits inside my water bottle and makes it easy to drink out of a wide-mouth bottle while hiking or driving. Without it, I’d spill water all over myself 100% of the time.

Top three places you like to play outdoors:

Yosemite (stunning granite cliffs!), the Pacific Northwest (incredible temperate rainforest and mushrooms galore!), and Hawaii (tropical fruits and waterfalls!).

What piece of advice do you have for women before going on their first Trail Mavens trip?

Don’t worry about having all the “right” gear or getting brand-new outdoor clothing. Do check the packing list and make sure you’ve got plenty of warm layers, and you’ll be all good! I love chatting about gear recommendations, and how, in lots of cases, less is more.

What should ladies who are on Trail Mavens trips with you be sure to ask you about?

Ask me what book I'm reading-- I'm always in the middle of a novel and love to talk about literature.