Mary Murphy
331 articles

Mary Murphy

Contributing Writer

Title: Contributing Writer
Location: Denver, CO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marym-murphy/
Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

Expertise

  • Topics of Expertise: Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Running, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Sport Climbing, Ice Climbing, Skiing, Dog Gear
  • Years in Expertise: 10+
  • Number of Products & Number of Hours Tested: 700+ products, 5,000+ hours

Education & Certifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in English, Creative Writing, Minor in Journalism, Colorado College
  • Years of Writing: 7+
  • Certifications: WFR, CPR, ACA Flatwater & Swiftwater Rescue, SSI/PADI
  • Club/Association Memberships: AORE, Colorado 14ers Initiative (CFI), Backcountry Beauties
  • Awards/Recognitions: The John Hopkins Book Award
  • Previous Publications: 5280 Magazine, Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado College Alpine Journal/Outdoor Journal

Career Highlights

  • Section-hiking on the AT, CT, and CDT
  • Setting a self-supported SUP circuit record in Bowron Lakes, BC, Canada
  • Gravel biking in St. George, Utah
  • Running rapids on the Colorado River (whitewater SUP and kayak)
  • Running SufferFest trail runs
  • Ice climbing at Ouray Ice Festival, Lake City Ice Fest, and All In Ice Fest
  • 5/8 Colorado Via Ferratas and counting
  • Countless powder days while gear testing

A Word from Mary Murphy

I began writing professionally for my college’s alpine journal and outdoor publications, and soon after began my career in the outdoor industry working in outdoor education, while also writing for various publications here in Colorado. I’ve written for daily papers, city magazines, and worked as a freelancer and on staff for digital publications. It’s been my dream and love ever since I was young to intertwine writing and the outdoors. My personal interests include hiking, pack-paddleboarding, cooking, 1000-piece puzzles, and traveling the world. When I’m not writing, you can find me hiking around Colorado with friends and family, or at the top of a local 14er.


Young male kid learning how to tie a fly for fishing

Birds eye view of female camper in sleeping bag surrounded by gear items on desert ground

Damian Hall running on an English footpath in the rain

ACR bivy stick device

big agnes tiger wall UL solution dyed yellow tent in the sun

cover of garmin "being brave in a big world" kids book

Hiking With Mirna: Get Joy, Laughs, and Pro Tips From ‘The Mirnavator’

Adventure News of the Week: Ultrarunning Tragedy, Bouldering World Cup, and More

colorful pannier bike bag on women's cruiser by a blue brick wall

smoky, blurry view of a diamondback blue e-bike against a concrete wall

Hyperlight Mountain Gear tote with climbing gear, shoes, and pack in trunk

female mountain biking along dirt trail in grey vented Liv Rev pro helmet

a stream and trees in rocky mountain national park

Jenny Bruso with her "Unlikely Hikers" group hiking in Oregon

Arc'teryx shell fabric being assembled

mountain river whitewater

campervan driving up winding mountain road surrounded by fall foliage

surfer in wetsuit on motorboat in vancouver, canada

Cliff diver Rhiannan Iffland performs a high dive from a hot air balloon in Australia

a line of six runners along a desert island ridge

African American man in teal boardshorts paddleboarding on flatwater

10 Barrel Reel Good summer ale

tony galbreath with wife and child in camp chairs outdoors

Lemon Quest Beer Cans in the outdoors

Solterra Subaru logo on close up of SUV

man in spandex shorts and gray shirt riding canyon Grizl gravel bike down a trail

Peak Designs 45L Travel Backpack

Mark Healey bow hunting in Hawaii

glucose monitoring biosensor on man's arm and the app on smartphone screen

older female fisherman on a boat wearing orange shell jacket and holding king crab YETI mug