Rhiane Fatinikun MBE - Mountain Training Ambassador

Mountain Training is excited to announce that Rhiane Fatinikun, founder of Black Girls Hike, is now an official Mountain Training ambassador!

After being inspired by a train journey through the Peak District, Rhiane founded Black Girls Hike to challenge stereotypes and the lack of representation in the outdoors. With no hiking experience herself, she put a call out on social media and Black Girls Hike was born. Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength, launching groups nationwide running regular group hikes and outdoor activity days. Rhiane is now on her way to becoming a Lowland Leader and wants to support the development of her members in the outdoors as well.

"I’m really excited about this role, it aligns perfectly with the work I do, creating opportunities for members to develop in the outdoors," explained Rhiane. "I’m looking forward to delivering our training programmes with Mountain Training’s support and also being able to inspire the next generation to take up careers in the outdoors."

"We’re committed to improving the diversity of our qualification holders because they are role models for future participants," Guy Jarvis, Executive Officer for Mountain Training England said. "Rhiane has already shown that her enthusiasm for hiking is infectious, particularly among Black women, and we’re looking forward to working closely together to inspire more Black women and young people to become confident, independent hill walkers as part of our diversity strategy."

Mountain Training will be supporting Rhiane and Black Girls Hike for at least the next two years.

Lowland Leader is one of Mountain Training’s walk leader qualifications. It trains and assesses people to lead groups through the countryside in non-remote areas.

Follow Black Girls Hike on Instagram: @bgh_uk

Listen to Rhiane talking to Clare Balding on BBC Radio 4's Ramblings programme: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000vyp1