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.


The Layer I’ve Been Living In: Rab VaporRise Summit Jacket Review

Three running store workers jump into air to celebrate in front of the store.

La Sportiva Opens First Retail Location in North America

Nordica’s Best All-Mountain Skis Just Got Better: 2024 Nordica Enforcer & Santa Ana Review

Palisades Tahoe in winter

Ice Climbing Is the Best Example of Accessible Outdoor Adventure — Here’s Why

GoPro POV of Nate Trachte skiing on a pair of WNDR Alpine skis in backcountry mountains

snowboarder Wolfgang Nyvelt in a yellow jacket boarding off a pillowy jump outside Hokkaido Japan

the carved knife with a maple wood grain handle sits on a wood bench outside

a GearJunkie green logo with a mountain and the text "top stories of 2023" on a wooden background

two Mountain Hardwear splitboard athletes descending a pillowy mountain in the Japanese Alps

GearJunkie gear of the year 2023 logo on a forest background with an ombre orange gradient border

Pushing the Limits of a (Realistic) Kayak Launch: This ‘Race’ Is Unhinged

The Most Wholesome Snow Day Throwback: Kayaking in the Snow

a kayaker in a pink kayaking going down a frothy waterfall

Near-Perfect Goggle, Swappable Lens System You May Never Need: Zeal Lookout Review

emile lalonde kayaker on the frothy Stikine River in Canada

Stop Throwing Your Gear Away: These Brands Offer Free Repairs

a woman with chest length blonde hair pulling on the sleeves of the Alpine Fit base layer top getting dressed

Icy Kayaking: Aniol Serrasolses Styles ‘World’s Highest Glacier Waterfall Drop’

a group of female skiers dress in cowboy boots and flannels as a women with pink hair flies through a tunnel on grass skis

‘Lexicon’ Premieres in Canada, China, and Japan, Bringing Positive Winter Stoke to the People

Don’t Miss This Deal: Gnara Apparel Is 60% Off for One Day Only

YETI ‘Gear Garage’ Opens for 1 Week Only: Exclusive Bottles, Limited-Edition Colors

Holiday Paddle Sale: This Winter, Save Big on Gear for Spring

The Best Time to Buy an ISLE SUP Is Right Now

Bed-Like Comfort and One Less Thing to Pack: Big Agnes Dream Island Doublewide Sleeping Bag Review

Kayaking 50 Miles in 1 Day, on Class IV: Spicy Highlights From Idaho’s Payette River

a leadville trail 100 runner with trekking poles throws his arms in the air

sage kotsenburg backcountry snowboarding off a big jump