My Outdoors Story: Mallory Ottariano
Note: We are so thrilled to have Mallory back on The Mountain Outpost. She was an original, back in the day when we had a podcast. And I just love her and her work so much. Enjoy!
Mallory Ottariano
Missoula, MT/ Ktunaxa
@shopyouer
www.shopyouer.com
What is your first memory of nature?
Probably the maple tree in my front yard. Everything about it. I loved that tree. It had low hanging branches for easy access by a child and was easy to climb. I remember bringing books up there to read and setting up a pulley system so my mom could send my lunch up to me, probably around age 4 or 5. I remember learning how to hang upside down by my knees on the lowest brand and falling many times into the juniper bush below. I remember making bird ‘nests’ out of mud and stashing them in the topmost branches hoping a bird would love my new real estate and move in.
What types of activities do you like to do outside?
I had an incredible childhood that was spent almost entirely outside with room to roam and explore. I associated the outdoors with freedom, curiosity, exploration and independence. There were some pivotal moments that formed these feelings for me, like my mom sending my brother and I off into the New Hampshire forests with a backpack, lunch and a watch and telling us to listen for the dinner bell. When we’re kids, we’re so reliant on adults to do things, provide things, be things, for us. And, on adventures like these, when I was given the opportunity to be me and in control of me, I felt like anything was possible. As an adult, the outdoors still holds that same sense of adventure, curiosity, and self-reliance for me, and the things I love to do outside vary greatly in pursuit of these qualities. Often, I like to move quickly through the mountains – trail running, mountain biking, skiing. And other times I like the slow peaceful pace of riverside walks, backcountry skiing, or sitting on a peak, taking in all the details.
The thing I do outside most is run. Trail running is a way for me to think, observe, and enjoying being in my body while pushing myself and competing against myself.
What is your favorite place to go outside?
I’m particularly infatuated with the high points. I always need to get to the top! Ridges, peaks, any place that gives me the feeling that where I am on the landscape, in contrast to the surroundings, is so miniscule. I live in the Bitterroot Mountains in Montana, so I see many of these high points out my window and they’re some of my favorite peaks to explore.
Photos from @shopyouer
Thank You for Sharing Mallory!
