Notable Early Women Firefighters, Culture in the 1980s, and the Bigfoot Trail with Mary «Fireweed» Kwart (BPR #328)

On today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek and presented by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Mary “Fireweed” Kwart. Fireweed is a hiker, a Deadhead, and a pioneering figure in wildland firefighting with a career spanning more than 30 years. We dive into the challenges of being one of the first women to join the elite Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, the culture shock of entering a male-dominated field, and some of the most memorable stories from her decades on the front lines.

Fireweed also reflects on how long-distance hiking has evolved since the 1970s, his tradition of tackling a new long trail every year since he retired, and his deep love and advocacy for California’s Bigfoot Trail.

We close the show with the best backpacking trails in the Midwest, hiking tips we wish we’d never given, a debate about whether robotic legs should count as mechanical transportation under the Wilderness Act, and the Triple Crown of parts of society we’d turn back time for.

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Interview with Mary “Fireweed” Kwart

Timestamps and questions

00:04:55 – Apply to the Trek blog and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:07:00 – Introducing Fireweed

00:08:30 – Why were you a non-traditional college graduate?

00:11:40 – What was your inspiration to align yourself with the feminist movement?

00:13:30 – Discussion about being the only woman in male-dominated spaces

00:16:46 – Tell us about hiking a section of the PCT in the 70s.

00:18:20 – What was it like to work in Yosemite in the 70s?

00:23:50 – Discussion about being a Deadhead

00:25:50 – How were women treated in general?

00:30:45 – How did you pass the heartbeat challenge?

00:32:45 – Discussion on gear differences between now and then.

00:36:50 – At what moment did you discover the tough aspect of your personality?

00:43:25 – How did you keep your spirits up while working as a firefighter?

00:46:55 – What was the culture of firefighters like?

00:52:00 – Do you have any advice for women who want to get into firefighting?

00:54:34 – What was your best day at work?

00:58:40 – Discussion about the rest of Fireweed’s firefighter career.

01:00:45 – What type of education would you recommend to someone interested in this career?

01:02:35 – What is your opinion on the current situation in the Forest Service?

01:10:40 – Discussion on the current status of forest fires

01:15:30 – Tell us about your walks since you retired

01:20:30 – Discussion on getting shingles and recovering

01:23:50 – Do you have any other tips for older hikers?

01:28:50 – Tell us about the Bigfoot Trail

01:33:30 – Do you have any tips for identifying trees along the Bigfoot Trail?

01:37:00 – What was your encounter with Bigfoot?

01:40:02 – Do you believe in Bigfoot?

01:44:00 – Tell us about the bear dog attack.

01:48:45 – Peak Performance Question: What’s your top backpacking or performance-enhancing trick?

Segments

Propaganda Clues:

QOTD: Would robotic legs count as mechanical transportation across the desert?

Triple Crown of sectors of society we would turn back the clock

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