Lucie Hanes has spent more time on rock, dirt, and water than her own home starting with her first hike strapped to a pack at just a few months old. Dad might have done all the work, but she brought the vibes. Hanes continued to make her father proud and her mother terrified by backpacking and whitewater kayaking her way through high school in Virginia.
The first of many mental health hiccups led her to rock climbing and trail running during her college years at the University of Virginia. From that point on you’d be hard-pressed to find her doing much else. Hanes has since racked up a number of podium finishes and proud sends on some of the country’s toughest ultramarathon courses and sport climbs.
Hanes lives and adventures with her partner Ben in the Western Slope of Colorado. She works as a freelance journalist and mental performance consultant helping outdoor athletes engage the psychological side of their sport and care for their mental health.
Her written work has appeared in Climbing Magazine, Trail Runner Magazine, Ultrarunning Magazine, Gear Junkie, ActionHub, Training for Climbing, Spoke & Blossom Magazine, Elevation Outdoors Magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and here on Territory Supply, among others.
Background:
- Topics of expertise: Ultra and trail running, rock climbing, sports psychology
- Years of experience in these topics: Eight in climbing, four in ultrarunning, two in sports psychology
- Favorite topic to write about: The relationship between mental health and outdoor adventure
- Favorite piece of gear you’ve ever tested: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Pants—a game-changer for cold crag days!
- Favorite travel destinations: Rifle Mountain Park, Colorado; Red Rocks, Nevada; Bend, Oregon; New River Gorge, West Virginia
- Past applicable professions: Event Director of Outdoor Media Summit, Youth Climbing Programs Director, Head Routesetter
Education and Experience:
- Education: BA English Literature at the University of Virginia, MS Sports Psychology at Adams State University
- Awards: 2nd place at the Leadville 100, 1st place at the Ring the Springs 100k, 1st place at the Valkyrie 50k, MVP of the Outdoor Media Summit
- Other places you write for: Climbing Magazine, Trail Runner Magazine, Ultrarunning Magazine, Gear Junkie, ActionHub, Training for Climbing, Spoke & Blossom Magazine, Elevation Outdoors Magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
About the Writer
- Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
- Places You’ve Lived or Extensively Traveled: Eagle, Colorado; Richmond, Virginia
- Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Follow Lucie on Instagram
Lucie Hanes