Heather "Anish" Anderson, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home

Join us as Patagonia Portland and Oregon Wild welcomes Heather Anderson for an author reading of her new memoir, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, from non-profit publisher Mountaineers Books.   In Thirst, Heather, whose trail name is “Anish,” conveys not only her athleticism and wilderness adventures, but also shares her distinct message of courage—her willingness to turn away from the predictability of a more traditional life in an effort to seek out what most fulfills her. Amid the rigors of the trail—pain, fear, loneliness, and dangers— she discovers the greater rewards of community and of self, conquering her doubts and building confidence. Ultimately, she realizes that records are merely a catalyst, giving her purpose,
focus, and a goal to strive toward.

In November 2018 Heather Anderson, known as “Anish” on trail, became the only woman to have completed a calendar year “Triple Crown” of thru- hiking, completing the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails in a single calendar year. In the process she set a female Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the route— hiking it in 251 days, 20 hours, 10 minutes and is the only female “Triple Triple Crowner” having completed the route three times. She holds the overall self-supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail (2013)—hiking it in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes, breaking the previous men’s record by four days and becoming the first women to hold the overall record. She also holds the women’s self-supported FKTs on the Appalachian Trail (2015) with a time of 54 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes and the Arizona Trail (2016), which she completed in 19 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes.

A resident of Bellingham, WA, Heather has hiked more than thirty thousand miles since 2003, including thirteen thru-hikes. An ultramarathon runner, she has completed six 100-mile races since August 2011 as well as dozens of 50 km and 50-mile events. She has attempted the infamous Barkley Marathons four times, starting a third loop once. Heather is also an avid mountaineer working on several ascent lists in the US and abroad. Follow her adventures at www.anishhikes.wordpress.com and on Instagram @AnishHikes.

Social at 6:30 pm, presentation at 7:00 pm

This event is free and open to the public.