The Mary Badass

People warned me about Big Sky. They said it was full of billionaires and I’d have a hard time finding a place to stay. They were only partially correct. There were a lot of people in Big Sky who were not billionaires. There was the woman who ran the grocery store, the guys who worked…

As I near the summit of a high peak with the wind howling, I am reminded of the importance of respecting these mountains. I think too often nature is approached with a nonchalance which gets people into trouble. Respect is different than fear. There are times I have been terrified in the mountains, such as…

It is wonderful to me how the trail takes simple things and turns them into great pleasures. For example, tonight I am camped at 8,500 feet. It is cold and rainy. I am so excited about being cozy in my tent and cuddled in my sleeping bag. I even gave a squeal of delight when…

The real challenge is for me to believe that I am enough. I have been reminding myself to drink more water. It is plentiful now, though still sometimes as far apart as fifteen miles over a long tough ridge. But I’ve been without plentiful water for long enough that I have gotten into the habit…

I try to get creative when I have a painful last mile to walk. I play different games with myself to make it easier. I envision walking down my road at home for what I know to be a mile. I tell myself, “now I’m at the bottom of the driveway . . . now…

Mary Anderson is hiking the Continental Divide Trail and writing a book about it. Above: The Spanish Peaks range in Montana. It is fairly certain that on a long hike, some piece of clothing or equipment will need repairing. We try to plan for such things, carrying small repair kits. I check my clothes periodically…

Enjoying a lake, stopping early to bathe and wash clothes. The clouds and mountains reflected in the lakes. The silence and sense of deep peace. Missing Jenn. Learning guys I met and taught how to use/carry bear spray got grizzly-mauled later same day. Steep ups/downs. Some scary ridge walking. Not looking down and talking self…

From Helena to Whitehall By Mary Anderson What I’ll remember: The smoky views. Feeling like I am walking in an eclipse due to the smoke. Having to keep changing my route because of fires. Setting out for maybe 200 miles cross-county by myself. Feeling strong and satisfied with my walking pace. Feeling accomplished and okay…

The views out here are really affected by the smoke. The sky is hazy and I no longer have the far-reaching spectacular views from the ridgetops. I admit, I am a bit disappointed. There is less reward each time I reach a summit. As a result, I’ve decided to change my focus. Since the fires…

I’ve heard it said that the older you get, the harder time you have adjusting to new situations. If that is the case, then hiking will keep me young, at least in my mind. I am constantly having to adjust out here. First, there are the minute changes that happen often each day. When climbing…