Episode
The Arc of Traversing: Madeleine Martin-Preney
- Podcast
- The High Route Podcast
- Published
- Sep 12, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 3330
- Processing state
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- https://share.transistor.fm/s/6f9cb0de
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Summary
One thing was clear a few years back when watching the film “ Mind Over Mountain .” That film documents a team of three women on the classic Bugs to Rogers traverse, and Madleine Martin-Preney was pure fuel. This storied traverse presents a fine backdrop for a fine narrative arc, but much of the time, it is downright brutally hard work in an arena, if the weather cooperates, that is rewarded with good views. Martin-Preney seemed to have supernatural energy. She was breaking trail, acting as a guide, and, at least to my eyes, was a centering force. She seemed like the kind of partner we’d all wish to have on any mission. Her missions over the years have been epic. It seems that she has a proclivity for suffering (the Type II kind) and a knack for pulling off epics. In 2016, along with four partners, they became the first crew to complete a continuous ski traverse through the Canadian Selkirks. In total, they covered 323 miles and gained over 141,000 feet of elevation. We do chat traverses in this episode. But we also dive into the nature of mountain guiding, leadership, and how to be the best possible partner (and version of yourself) on a physically demanding and emotionally taxing adventure. Martin-Preney, as you will learn, leads by example. If you are new to The High Route, we are a reader and listener-supported enterprise focusing on human-powered turn making. Our mission is simple, but it takes real-deal calorie-burning to piece it all together. We’d like to thank Patagonia , Blue Ice , and ATK for supporting us. We are also excited to announce that you can subscribe to Issues 2 and 3 of our fine print journal ( The High Route journal) on our site. Fancy paper. Good reads. High-octane photos. And some fine mountain ranges. And turns. You can learn more about our s…