This one was actually a pretty easy one, although I admire so many amazing women. I have actually been thinking of writing about women I admire a bit more often.
The woman who I really am in awe of at the moment is Lucy Barnard. Lucy has spent the last 2 years 8 months give or take, walking from the southern-most point in Chile, to the North-most accessible point of Barrow, Alaska. She is currently in Ecuador for the next month or so, before she crosses over to Columbia.
When she finishes she will be the first woman to walk the length of the earth. 10 men have achieved it so far. It was this single fact that led to her decision to give it a go.
To add even more awesome-sauce to this story. She is not doing the walk alone, she has her very trusty and loyal Blue Heeler – Wombat to accompany her. Wombat just turned 1, and yes, he carries a backpack as well. He is her little “Sugar Sherpa!”
Next week I am going to Tasmania, hiking for about 4-5 days, I am freaking out over what to take, which back pack, how to pack. All of the things. Just for perspective: Lucy has walked through the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, through ice and snow. Each one for months! Oh and did I mention, that before she left, she was hit by a car while participating in a charity bike ride, sustaining a head injury and losing the ability to walk. During her recovery she made the decision to embark on this adventure.
In 2017, she won the North Face Adventure Grant, and this year the Australian Geographic Nancy Bird Walton Scholarship, and I cannot think of a more worthy recipient.
If you would like to follow Lucy’s adventure (and maybe even donate to her and Wombat), her website can be found here: Tangles + Tail. Her Instagram. Her Twitter. Or her Facebook page.
Image Instagram @tanglesandtail. Photographer: Danyal Taylor.
