I started writing in kindergarten…
I brought my mom handwritten stories made with crayons and notebook paper. She dutifully listened as I read them to her and encouraged me to write more. I spent hours reading books of all types…and just as many hours writing my own stories. My imagination was rich.
Then I went backpacking…
And my life changed. I didn’t stop writing. But I no longer had to rely on imagination alone. I was living the tales of adventure and beauty that I had spent so many hours reading about and imagining.
The more I hiked and traveled, the more I learned. I began to hear the quiet lessons of life that the wild places had to offer. Now, I share those whispers with the world. I’ve written for Ultrarunning, Adventure Northwest, Bellingham Alive, Popular Mechanics, Trail Sisters, and more. I’ve authored two memoirs, published by Mountaineers Books: Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home (2019) and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail (2021). In addition, I’ve co-authored a prescriptive guide to long-distance hiking with Katie Gerber: Adventure Ready: A Hiker’s Guide to Planning, Training, and Resiliency (2022), also from Mountaineers Books.
I’ve also been featured in many books, magazines and other media. However, telling my stories with my own words has always been of utmost importance to me.
I’m excited to share my journey and my adventures with written words, and photos. More than just the adventures themselves, I am sharing the growth journey that takes place along the way.
Books By Heather Anderson
Words from the Wild 