Category: Uncategorized
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The Rules of Self Arrest
“Long 15 miles tomorrow with one of harder snowier passes. Heavy pack as just resupplied. And thunderstorms in forecast.” —Satellite message sent from Glacier Park By Mary Anderson First, don’t fall, but if you do, try to fall feet-first on your belly. Of course, this seldom happens. Don’t focus on the shock of the fall,…
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Hiking and the Busy Brain
Glacier National Park, Montana, June 21, 2021. Photo: Mary Anderson By Mary Anderson Relaxing is an art I don’t think I have ever been particularly good at it. For starters I have one of those bodies that likes to be in motion. If I was growing up today I might be drugged for Attention Deficit.…
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My First 200 Miles: A Review
Some of the things that made up my first 200 miles of hiking: Not talking to another person for days. Talking to a lot of cows. Drinking water from cow troughs. Not taking a shower for over a week. Wearing the same sweaty clothes for all that time. Eating pretty much the same food for…
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A Message from Mary
My injured knee iced with snow June 18: “I just completed the first 201 miles from South Pass City to highway 70 near Encampment, Wyoming. Now have a two-day drive to Glacier. Will start from there as soon as I can get a much-coveted permit. Then, knee willing, I have 1,350 miles back to South…
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What Hiking Teaches Us About Trust
For me, trust is an important part of many long-distance hikes. First, I must trust that what people have written about the trail is accurate, that water will be present and the trail passable. I trust the wildlife not to harm me as long as I follow some common-sense rules. I trust in my abilities…
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Back on the Trail
By Mary Anderson After some days off to rehab my knee, I’m back on trail. Managed 13 miles today (June 16) to finish the Rawlins road walk in high-90-degree heat. Used the crutches today to take the slight twinge out. All told, I have walked over 30 miles on crutches. Knee held up pretty well…
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Decisions and Blame
By Mary Anderson A trail angel near Rawlins offered Mary his work gloves. One thing I love about hiking is how simple life becomes. My possessions are few and they all go in the exact same place day after day. Each day is similar to the last, though with enough difference to keep it exciting.…
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Why Uphill Is Easier Than Downhill
Reaching the top of a climb is a goal for many hikers. It is where we like to take breaks and enjoy the views won through our hard efforts. But ironically for many in=shape hikers it is the downhills, and not the ups, which are harder. The uphills take strength and perseverance. One foot placed…
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A Bigger Challenge Than the Knee
“I had seven different people telling me what I should do while I waited for my knee to heal. I felt overwhelmed by options, and the parts of me that fear getting people angry came out in full force.” By Mary Anderson My knee injury has forced me into a number of positions in which…
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The Inner Journey
View from the CDT in southern Wyoming. “This is considered a nice picnic spot out here.” I’ve known for a long time that one of the great values of an arduous thru-hike is the inner journey. I love the memories of beauty I carry from all of my 10,000-plus miles of hiking. I revel in…
The Mary Badass 