Mary Beth Skylis

Hi, I'm Mary Beth (Mouse). I'm a Freelance Writer who specializes in personal narratives, gear reviews and adventure stories. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015, part of the Annapurna Circuit in 2016, and the Colorado Trail in 2017. I am now destined to life as a trail urchin.

Posts

Paul Walks On: Epilepsy On the Appalachian Trail

Paul Walks On: Epilepsy On the Appalachian Trail

Recently, a heartbroken woman contacted the Dirtbag Diaries with a story about a man who waited just a little bit too long to chase a dream. Paul

Apr 28, 2016 : Mary Beth Skylis
Gear Review: Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody Women’s

Gear Review: Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody Women’s

Disclosure: The following product was donated for the purpose of review.     MSRP: $249 Weight: 11.6 ounces I'm always cold. I'm that girl

Apr 15, 2016 : Mary Beth Skylis
Baxter State Park Announces Permit Cards for Appalachian Trail Hikers

Baxter State Park Announces Permit Cards for Appalachian Trail Hikers

Baxter State Park has announced that they will be implementing a permit system beginning in 2016

Mar 10, 2016 : Mary Beth Skylis
Dear Future Thru-Hiker

Dear Future Thru-Hiker

Dear Future Thru-Hiker, At this point, you're looking at minor details like "where do I stop for my first resupply?" or "will I really have to

Feb 10, 2016 : Mary Beth Skylis
The Appalachian Trail’s “Bionic Woman”: An Interview With Niki Rellon

The Appalachian Trail’s “Bionic Woman”: An Interview With Niki Rellon

In November of 2013, Niki Rellon took a 45 foot fall while canyoneering in Utah. A little over a year after she agreed to the amputation of her left leg, she began her journey on the Appalachian Trail,. She would become the first woman with a prosthetic leg to thru-hike. The following account details some of the peaks and valleys of Niki's latest adventure on the Appalachian Trail.

Jan 20, 2016 : Mary Beth Skylis
Niki Rellon Writes History on the Appalachian Trail

Niki Rellon Writes History on the Appalachian Trail

She set out with only 40% of her leg strength, staring down the barrel of a 2189.2 mile hike.

Dec 30, 2015 : Mary Beth Skylis
Wisdom from the Wisest: Thru-hiking Secrets Exposed

Wisdom from the Wisest: Thru-hiking Secrets Exposed

I met this incredible specimen of a man early on during my thru-hike of the AT. His name was Fig Newton. Or Pretzel. He was some type of edible

Dec 11, 2015 : Mary Beth Skylis
The Snorelax: A Harrowing Account of Shelter Life on the AT

The Snorelax: A Harrowing Account of Shelter Life on the AT

It was the middle of the night in the Fontana Hilton shelter and all were asleep until the snoring began. They were deep, resonant snores that

Nov 27, 2015 : Mary Beth Skylis
2015 Thru-Hikers: Sneak Peek Into Another Record Year

2015 Thru-Hikers: Sneak Peek Into Another Record Year

Current estimates suggest that this will be the 5th record year in a row for both NOBOS and SOBOS. This is likely the 4th record year in a row for Alternative-Itinerary thru-hikers, who have portrayed the most dramatic of changes.

Nov 6, 2015 : Mary Beth Skylis
Becoming Superhuman on The Appalachian Trail

Becoming Superhuman on The Appalachian Trail

To our surprise, we were soon flying over mountain ranges at 4mph as if we were Superman himself.

Oct 23, 2015 : Mary Beth Skylis