Category: Uncategorized
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How I Know I’m a Writer
I decided I must really be a writer when, soon after hitting a deer on the highway, I was overcome with an intense need to write about it. I couldn’t wait to let the words come. I had to pull over and write. While pondering why that is I came to these conclusions: Writing helps…
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How to Get Past a Blowdown
Going over a blowdown is a bit like dealing with life’s difficulties. First I assess the situation. Then I look at how others have approached it before me. I take one small step at a time, watching for pointy pitfalls along the way, always mindful of keeping my balance. When approaching one, I first slow…
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Grizzly
I smelled him before I saw him. I wasn’t totally surprised. I’d been seeing signs he left behind for the last hour or so. But when I rounded the corner and saw him, my heart skipped a beat. Grizzly, for sure. He had the telltale nose and back. I assume it was a male because…
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The Whole Legend Thing
By Mary Anderson I am a legend out here. At least that is what they tell me. A group of hikers pass me and ask, “Are you Mary Badass? We’ve heard about you.” I ask what they have heard, and they say that I am “killing it.” I am walking down a remote dirt road…
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What Hiking Teaches Us About Timing
I’ve heard it said “Timing is everything.” While it may not be everything, it certainly can have huge impacts. Timing is important in music and in breathe control when giving birth. It matters to children growing up, as until one is ready to learn something, it will not come easily. And timing certainly can make…
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Taking Pleasure in the Mundane
“How we deal with the same-old same-old will influence much of our lives.” By Mary Anderson I have not felt the inspiration to write anything. I have been in difficult blowdown conditions hiking in high heat. I have felt tired and brain-dead. After Glacier National Park, the scenery in the Bob Marshall Wilderness almost felt…
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Hiking My Own Hike
Along the Continental Divide Trail heading south toward Whitehall, Montana, mid July 2021. Photo by Mary Anderson. Hikers often give feedback to other hikers. “Stay at this hostel.” “Make sure to hike the San Juans.” “Don’t start too soon or the snow will be really bad.” Some hikers get adamant that their way is the…
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Saying Good-bye
“A friend told me that one of the hardest things about losing someone was having love with no place to put it.” By Mary Anderson There is a social aspect to many long-distance hikes. People meet for the first time and end up spending weeks or months together. It is such an important part of…
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The Burdens We Carry
It is easy to recognize out here that we all choose to carry different loads. Some go ultralight, carrying no stove and little food, preferring instead to walk really long days. Others carry a lot of extras. I met one hiker carrying an eight-ounce battery-powered toothbrush. For him that was really important. My toothbrush weighs…
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What I’ll Remember from the Bob
By Mary Anderson Being in the heart of wildness with no roads for 100 miles. Experiencing lots of biting flies and mosquitoes. Seeing many colors of butterflies, including orange, blue, and lemon yellow. Learning a lot about horsepackers. Going over, under, and through the worst blowdowns I’ve ever experienced. Hiking in record heat. Crossing many…
The Mary Badass 