Ruth

What aspect of being in nature is most important to you?

I just like to be with the world, to be quiet and calm, to listen and hear. For me, the colours of nature are deeply restorative as well as the ambient sounds of birds, the wind and rain etc. It is not about achieving anything but being a part of the rest of nature, learning from it and letting it cut through the noise of modern life. But I have always been a mountain person. I used to be a geologist and this has very much shaped how I see the world.

Tell us about your favorite adventure?

I tend to say that my favourite adventure is the one I am having in the moment. So many adventures have their own highs and lows; their own memorable moments and take-away lessons. The biggest adventure I have done was fastpacking the Bosnian Dinaric Alps solo and unsupported. This was a 350km crossing of the mountains that I made on my own, sleeping and eating wild every night, exploring a little known limestone landscape much wilder than the mountains we are used to in large parts of western Europe. That said, I did a 5-day hike in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland last year, which was so refreshing and special. I know the mountains very well, but every time I go back they have something more to discover and learn. We had a rule that we wouldn't do any summits, but explore the rivers, the recesses and the passes and this changed the scope of the trip - inviting us to pay much more attention to the whole mountain environment.

Who do you enjoy spending the day out with?

I love time alone in the mountains meaning solo trips are important to me, but I also adventure widely with my husband who is my best friend and really complements my skills and strengths when we're out and about. Last year, we got our dog - Juno - and I think she will be a great addition to our mountain team. I also love being outside with the people I work with - finding out more about them the relationship they have with themselves outside and how they see and experience the world.

Share a podcast/article/book/movie that you have enjoyed lately

I have just reread The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd for the 5th or 6th time as it is helping me write my second book.

Do you have any favorite quote or words of wisdom that you often use or like specifically?

My dad used to say time and tide wait for no (wo)man. I always remember that, as cliched as it is. Do not delay your happiness. There is no better time than now to start feeling better. As a therapist words are part of how I work to support people, but sometimes the simple ones are the most profoundly true.