Photo Epic: Women on the Moon - Desert Days Freeride Gathering

Oct 8, 2023
by Alexa Christensen  


Born in reaction to there being no women's category at Red Bull Rampage this year, Desert Days was a gathering of women some of the world's most storied freeride terrain. The brainchild of Chelsea Kimball, the goal was to create an open space for women's freeride to grow. A massive crew of ladies spent the past week digging, riding, connecting, and learning, and are leaving the event hungry for more. —PB





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The camaradery and stoke at the top of every run was on another level. These women are pushing the freeride limits.
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Chelsea surfing the grey waves.

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Up the steeps.
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Down the steeps.

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Big smiles and big hikes out here in the desert from Pascal Sapunar.

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Micayla Gatto riding in the Troy Lee Designs Women’s Lilium pant that she helped design
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The refuel station

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Nikki Holzman with a party shirt always mean it's going to be a party.

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The extreme landscape makes it feel like you are on a different planet.
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Chelsea Kimball

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Gemma Corbera is stoked.

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Kaia Jensen slashing on her Transition TR11
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Cami Nogueira

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Pascal Sapunar

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Britny on her Revel Rail.

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KaJay Rooke. There is no better feeling than riding bikes with all your friends in one of the most incredible places.

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Successful mission to the moon.


Author Info:
Alexachristensen avatar

Member since Oct 30, 2019
5 articles

41 Comments
  • 25 1
 Hopefully some video footage comes out of this and gets put up on PB. I don't care about live coverage, and I don't really care about judging - I just want to see some ripping lines in that cool landscape.
  • 12 7
 This is awesome!, go build your own thing and when the audience is there then Rampage will have no choice but to extend invites. Such a better strategy than sitting back and complaining. My hope is that all those making comments under Redbull’s IG actually go support this event/these women, but unfortunately i doubt they will. I think most of those people enjoy being upset more than they enjoy watching free ride (men’s or women’s free ride)
  • 12 38
flag Notunormal (Oct 8, 2023 at 8:28) (Below Threshold)
 So boring rampage way beter
  • 4 2
 @Notunormal: don't click on an article and complain then. Simple solution
  • 1 2
 @Notunormal: i kno I could ride this on my supercycle
  • 1 0
 It's cute that you think that the lack of women at rampage was purely a business decision rather than systemic sexism. I was one that complained loudly. I did not watch Rampage. I support this wholeheartedly.
  • 5 0
 Such an awesome week of progression! Seeing it in real life really does it justice!! These ladies shred!!
Can’t wait for next year! Thanks Chelsea, Specialized, Fat Tire, and Ripton for bringing us all together!!
  • 7 0
 Hell ya Chelsea!!!!!!!!
  • 3 0
 the close ups on rider faces is nice and everything, but this is about riding you got only one photo of extreme terrain... srsly? Like you want us to take female riding seriously, so why don't you do serious reporting on it?
  • 3 0
 Nice work ladies! Rad terrain and it looks like everyone had a great time. How it gets bigger and better in the years to come. Shred on!!
  • 3 0
 Love it. The ladies are making their own mark.
  • 3 0
 Fuuuuuuck yeah!!!!!
  • 3 1
 So sick!!
  • 1 0
 Honest question: which desert?
  • 3 0
 that looks like utah. Sorta looks like the terrain around green river.
  • 2 0
 @adrennan: Shut your mouth fingers.
  • 1 0
 Hell yeah! So stoked to see these ladies out there shredding!
  • 1 0
 That terrain is so good. This event and GRC make this area so good.
  • 1 0
 骑山地车的女生都很酷!
  • 1 0
 Awesome!
  • 6 8
 I can't believe women aren't in rampage!!!!
  • 11 8
 I mean when you watch this, then watch rampage it kinda makes sense. Womens category would be good if they figured out the logistics. There's no difference between the level I see girls ride my local bike park who work full time jobs and the pro posse
  • 9 6
 @luckynugget: I think these girls are better than you mate. I completely understand that women are nowhere near the level of men in freeride, but how do you think that happened-through years of exclusion I'm guessing. By letting women compete in rampage in their own separate women's category, just like in world cups, you're opening up the market to 50% of the world population to see themselves doing this epic sport.
  • 3 1
 @DJ21111111: I don't think I'm better than them, you didn't even read my comment you just a response already written in your head.
  • 1 0
 @luckynugget: Sorry mate, it just sounded like you were shitting on the pro women, saying that they were the same level as regular people
  • 1 1
 @DJ21111111: I mean they're a lot better than you it looks like but spend day at the kamloops bike ranch you see plenty of people with real, full time jobs who throw way bigger tricks than the top female riders. Not one of them has done a 360 on a drop yet for instance. I see plenty of unsponsored male riders doing 3 drops. I know it feels good to be some white knight but reality is reality. A bunch of sponsored rich kids doing suicides over 20 footers shouldn't get auto invites.
  • 1 0
 @luckynugget: I thought you meant regular female women, sorry. Of course, there are hundreds of male riders that are better in every way compared to the top female riders. Take serena Williams for example- the GOAT female tennis player, and she would only be ranked as a mid-level college player if she was a man. All I meant to say is that the women deserve their own category in rampage, as it will take the sport and their skills to a new level, and then eventually women will be able to 360 a drop.
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