River House PA  is happy and proud to announce their latest AFFILIATION

SHEhike – Survive-Heal-Empower-Hike

The sad ugly truth is this sweet little teacher was sexually abused as a youngster in high school. Sadie Martin suffered from depression, suicide temptations and post- traumatic stress disorder until she went for a night hike at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert and discovered the stars and the Milky Way.

“When I looked up at the night sky for the first time and saw that river of stars, distant galaxies, traveling light from years ago, the beauty floored me. This wonderful perspective reminded me that we are all stardust, made of the same elements and matter as the stars and we are all connected. I began to focus less on my pain and suffering and began to feel at peace and at home out in the natural world. I think about this connection and I am able to maintain it once I come back indoors.  It is about self- reverence. Being in nature gave me a sense of love.”

Sadie now nurtures her need and makes sure that she backpacks and hikes on a regular basis. Not a minute of depression has clouded her life since. Hiking has become a way of life for her.

“It is exactly what I needed,” she admits.

Sadie found the strength to create SHEhike, (Survive, Heal, Empower, Hike) a program designed to encourage women with PTSD from sexual violence/assault to try hiking as a way to heal and empower themselves while learning the skills necessary for backpacking. A relay on the Pacific Crest Trail is scheduled for 2014 with plans to expand the program to the AT and CDT.  Sadie plans to grow her program and connect to women’s shelters along the trails to help with support and events. Shorter excursions, day hikes, workshops etc. will evolve as well as expanding into other outdoor activities.