The Mary Badass

Self-discipline is often hard. When I am home it is easy to find reasons to put something off until the next day. But out here on the trail the consequences are much more apparent and often dire. For example, if I just don’t hike because I don’t feel like it one day, I will run…

From right: Mayor Mary Janacaro Hensleigh of Whitehall, Montana; Mary; and Shannon. I took off from Butte not exactly sure where I was going. As I was about to embark on a very sun-exposed walk of about 20 miles with almost no water I met Derby, a really kind hiker. We wove our way together…

It’s not the bears I am most afraid of out here. Lightning on an exposed ridge scares me more. And even more than that, I am concerned about forest fires. I don’t go around in constant fear of them, but I am more wary of them than I am of bears. I keep an eye…

I am continuously struggling not to compare myself to others out here. Most everyone I meet can outhike me. Sometimes I attribute it to the fact that I am usually more than double their age. But I know there are people my age who are in better shape. If I compare myself to others I…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

“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…