Blood Sweat Tears

by Christine Reed

Blood Sweat Tears is a short story collection by 26 hikers and runners about the experience of being in a female body on trail. Vulnerable, empowering, beautiful stories about how the trail can be a place for healing and a place for hardship. These contributors talk periods, underboob sweat, and ugly crying in nature.

Including stories from:
Heather Anderson, author of Thirst and Mud, Rocks, Blazes.
Katie Ives, author of Imaginary Peaks: The Riesenstein Hoax and Other Mountain Dreams
Bronwyn Preece, author of knee deep in high water : riding the Muskwa-Kechika
Christine Reed, author of Alone in Wonderland

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Short Stories, Travel

294 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would have liked this book better while I was still an active hiker. The 4-wheel walker I need now at 71 years old is definitely NOT an all-terrain vehicle. This does not stop me from getting pleasure reading non-fiction outdoor books. I revel in a good outdoor adventure. I had plenty of fun in my day.

The women who wrote these essays were waayyyy above my skill level. They are Mountain Goddesses. That said, I got a little tired of reading about all the crying. Sure, this book is about women and estrogen and emotions are part of our package, but c'mon already.

Looking back, the only time I broke down on the trail was on a day hike with my then-husband's dog (and my dog too - my husband and Flint were a package deal). Flint was a 70-lb. black shepard mix and around 8 years old at the time. We were living in Colorado and went up to a big park in the foothills. I made a rookie mistake and didn't pack enough water. Then I got turned around and when I got myself oriented on the trail map I moaned when I saw the miles back to my car. We never met anyone to beg water from. And this was many years before cell phones so Flint and I were on our own. I could hear Clear Creek but thought it would be too dangerous to scramble down on the rocks for Flint to get a drink. Poor Flint. He never whined but flopped on his side every time I stopped. He was too big to carry. I apologized and sobbed for him all the way back. We both were a wreck but he suffered quietly - not me. Afterwards I needed to put salve on his paw pads they were so torn up. And that old sweetheart STILL got excited when I asked if he wanted to go on future hikes. I didn't make the water mistake again.

I was halfway through the book before I realized the pretty flowers on the front cover are in the shape of female reproductive organs.

[Anne Jobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because the stories are raw and give voice to women+ writers about what it is like to be in a female body on trail hiking or running. Each story is unique with common threads around resiliency, nature, and adventure. The collection as a whole is inclusive. After reading each story it makes me want to go find new adventures. As a contributor to the collection, I received an ARC of the book ahead of its release.

[Elizabeth Sholtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something so shameful about me in my jammies reading this in my little apartment with my AC. Anyway, women can do anything

[Jasmyn Barca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically feminine collection of essays about women who take their physical and emotional equipment into the backcountry to bleed, sweat, and cry tears.
These stories were not necessarily unique in any woman's experience. As an avid outdoors-woman, I could identify with thoughts or feelings from every single one of the 27 stories in this book. Instead, the shining glory of this book as a whole is that these seemingly common experiences are finally being communicated.
After decades of women proving their metal in outdoor spaces, we are just now settling in and getting comfortable enough to talk about periods, mental health, identity, menopause, motherhood. It's about time.
I will recommend this honest and transparent book to any person who is interested in the truth of outdoor experience. Christine did a great job of editing, and I cannot wait to see what Rugged Outdoorswoman publishes next!

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a thru hiker, and the outdoors space is still unfortunately dominated by a male-normative culture. The stories in this book lift up a better way of understanding why we do what we do in the outdoors- that everyone has their own path to freedom out here, and that reclaiming our ability to author that experience on our own terms is part of the joy of it. There's mishaps, heartbreak, bodies being bodies, and wisdom about our relationship with ourselves in tough moments that anyone could learn something from (guys/people without a uterus included.) Each writer seems to have reached inside for what's difficult to say but worth discovering. It'll get you dreaming about what your adventures would look like.

[Sam Gremley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully organized anthology. I loved every story, every page of this book. Some were difficult to read as it hit close to home, but at the same time healed a lot of broken things inside me.

[Kaitlin Jaros Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women are amazing! This book was empowering, inspiring, and beautiful. Thank you Hannah for the wonderful read 🥰

[Amanda Jaros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting a long time for a book like this! This is a collection of well-written and powerful stories about what it's like to inhabit a female body on the trail and in the outdoors. There are so few books like this that look deeply and thoughtfully at women's experiences. I savored each and every one of these essays, which explored everything from getting one's period to fertility issues to the pressure to prove oneself to the men of the group. The stories are as unique, vibrant, and beautiful as each of the women who wrote them. Wish I could give it 6 stars!

[Jen Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotional journey from cover to cover. These rugged outdoorswomen and beautiful writers had me bleeding, sweating, and crying with them over roads and mountains and across their individual paths of growth. It was refreshing to read “adventures” not voiced or created or narrated by men. This is a must read 💗

[Maura M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring collection of stories from an underrepresented women+ community in the outdoors world. Really loved the "it's not just me" feeling I got from this while being able to draw strength from the women who contributed their stories.

[Dia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw stories of women in the outdoors

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just need yall to know I finished 25 books with this one right up to the wire

[Dana Raasch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great read, there were just some stories I didn’t feel connection with. I really liked the Spanish story—a fun surprise to practice my Spanish reading skills once again.
Overall, a great read!

[Rachel Teslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really loved this book! Some of the short stories were very relatable and made me feel less alone with the insecurities that can come up with “not being enough” to be considered outdoorsy, a runner, or a hiker. Above all else, it made me want to get out and hike more. So if anyone is ever looking for a hiking buddy, I’ll join you!! 🥾

[Jaime Rabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, beautiful and inspiring. I dragged these stories out as long as I could.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I wanted to support a friend from college. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy these stories. All of these women+ are courageous for going through these moments but for also sharing them. I have since started looking at trails near me to go hiking on which is a feat as I am not an outdoorsy person. Thank you for sharing parts of your journeys and for inspiring mine.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first few reads of 2025 were disappointing to say the least. I’m so glad I stumbled across Blood, Sweat, Tears. After spending a week on Mt Kilimanjaro and almost a year training for it, and then struggling with reintegrating into the USA, I resonated deeply with a piece of each and every one of these stories. I felt less alone and I just felt a giant fuck yes the entire time because WOMEN+ 👏 CAN 👏 DO 👏HARD 👏THINGS.

[Austin Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being male and not particularly outdoorsy, I admittedly did not have much familiarity with the book’s subject matter. I think that’s precisely why I enjoyed this thoughtfully curated anthology of raw, vulnerable stories of so many different amazing women+ in the outdoors, of all ages and expertise. Because there were over two dozen different authors, there was truly a style for everyone, some were funny, some poetic, some awkward, some tear-jerking. It really felt like getting three books in one with each section on Blood, Sweat and Tears. I learned something new in every story, and feel a tremendous amount of appreciation for the authors’ experience and their willingness to share it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 25 year old daughter gave me this book. As a person who is post-menopausal, I realize how much adversity we are capable of blocking out when we are not in the midst of experiencing it. I loved each story in their own way, whether relating to it directly, learning from another’s experience that I have not had, and even, quite honestly, critiquing some experiences I was feeling critical about. Women who look for adventure can certainly benefit from these accounts. Men, if they really want a window into what it is like to be a woman can learn so much here too.

[Erin Campagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this collection is so wonderfully written and touches on pretty much every thought I have ever had about being a woman and what it feels like to live in my body. I think everyone should read this, regardless of interest in activities outdoors. this hit me so hard on about 1,000 different levels. if I had just googled these women and their accomplishments I would have felt so inferior and it’s a good reminder that the road to success is paved with pain and setbacks for everyone.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great mixture of storytelling in this little book. I found myself picking it up to read just one essay, and reading two or three instead. I loved hearing the voices of so many outdoor women. There were stories that made me feel seen, and there were stories that showed me an entirely new side of the outdoors. I enjoyed it immensely, and hope to see more projects like this.

[Leslie Hitchcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new hiker out on the trails, I really enjoyed reading about the healing and transformations that happen when walking outside. Every story is so personal, yet resonated with me at all different levels. The only sad thing was the one in Spanish I couldn't read! I wish it were also printed in English so all could enjoy it.

[Donna Kirik · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories were authentic and didn't hold back the reality of having a uterus, being born female, etc. Often, I couldn't help thinking that I really did my sons a disservice by not being more open about (normalizing) women, their bodies & the ways we must navigate through life. It's a great read even if you aren't a hiker or runner or ever plan to be.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking to be inspired, encouraged, or maybe to just not feel alone in your own struggels, I highly recommend this book. The stories each have their own spark of wisdom and there is something here for everyone. You don't have to be an outdoor enthusiast or a woman+ to enjoy it either.

[Callie Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories! So inspirational!

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A goodie for my outdoorsy girls.

Also quadruple confirmed I’ll never be a thru-hiker

[Maia Macek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and well compiled. Endlessly inspiring—the stories every outdoorsperson should be reading. Made me feel seen and inspired as a young woman.

[Amanda Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up from 4.5

[Julia G · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed these stories of gals on the trail 💛

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really thoughtful and diverse collection of stories from women in the outdoors. I am person who hikes regularly but is certainly not an extreme athlete, climber, runner, or through-hiker like most of the authors, but I still found these stories deeply relatable as a woman who loves natural spaces.