Vivianette Ortiz is a Latina originally from Puerto Rico. She grew up in the beach and mountain town of Patillas, Puerto Rico. She grew up running the hills of her hometown, bodyboarding, loving the ocean, and playing hide-in-seek barefoot through the farmlands.
Vivianette moved to North Carolina at the age of 17. She is a dedicated mother, daughter, and granddaughter. For a long time, she worked countless hours daily with 2 or 3 jobs at a time. Her adventurous soul went dormant for many years due to everyday responsibilities.
Since arriving in North Carolina she has always gone back to the island to visit family and enjoy the feeling of freedom there. Going back to the island would help the homesickness she felt here on the mainland. Due to Covid restrictions, her traveling ceased for a while she found herself extremely homesick and depressed.
Through social media, she found a North Carolina hiking group page. Discovering the outdoors again provided her with a connection to home. Her love for nature and the Latino community led her to be one of the founders of the group Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas. She is proud to combine her love for the outdoors with her passion for the Hispanic community through her role as the Executive Director of Latinos Aventureros.
She has completed over 130 hikes throughout the Carolinas in 2022, and 76 hikes in 2021.
In 2022 was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Peru, and completing the Inca Trail. She hopes to start the Appalachian Trail by sections in 2023.
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Show notes
Who is Vivianette
Her passion for going outside and travelling
Working as a disability rights advocate
Growing up in Puerto Rico
Being an ocean girl and her passion for the water
Not being encouraged to spend time in the outdoors
Being dedicated to work and working 2/3 jobs to support her family
Being a single mother
Moving to North Carolina at 17 years old
The impact of Covid
Being very depressed and looking for things to do
Joining a social media friend for a hike
Her first memorable sunrise hike on Roan Mountain
The gradual change after going on more hikes
Finding her passion of spending time in the outdoors
Practical tips and advice
Hiking with her children
Starting Latinos Aventureros in October 2021
Building a camping gear closet
Being able to take families out camping
Doing the Inca Trail in 2022
Planning for 2 years
The challenges of the trail
Just keep going
The mental side of hiking
Why self motivation is important
Plans for 2023
Finding education and training for the leaders
The importance of resting and figuring out what your body needs
Making time to go hiking on her own
Hiking without an agenda
Plans for section hiking the Appalachian trail in 2023
Support, sponsorship and funding for the Latinos Aventureros
Disability rights and hiking
The need for disability rights advocates
Looking up trails on line to see if they are accessible
How you can use your voice
How to connect online
Advice for women who want to get out hiking and spend more time in the outdoors
Why it’s ok to ask for help
Words of encouragement in Spanish
Social Media
Instagram @vivi.la.exploradora
Facebook - Vivianette Ortiz
Facebook Group - Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/latinosaventureros
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