Testimonials

Here's what people are saying about Mountainsong Expeditions classes and trips:

Huntresses returning from rifle practice

"The Mountainsong huntress weekend was transformative for me. I wanted to learn how to hunt within spirit and with integrity for the spirit of deer and nature. It went beyond my expectations. I learned this AND how to use a gun with confidence AND how to harvest meat from a kill efficiently and with respect. I came away grateful for this opportunity and with a new found respect for the true art of hunting in gratitude. It takes more than one weekend to become a true huntress but this weekend was an excellent introduction. Thank you Mary Murphy!"
~ Marie Frohlich, Health Coach, Williamstown, VT

Stretching a hide in the pasture

"My time at the Hide Tanning Workshop was gritty, real and abundantly educational. We received welcome guidance, answers to all of our questions on tanning and, most importantly, lots of hands-on time for each stage of the process. The course was well-organized and attended by a wonderful crew of inspiring people. I've been excitedly working with hides ever since in a way I was too intimidated to do before the course."
~Eliza M., North Montpelier, VT

Winter Bow Drill Class

"Mountainsong’s bowdrill fire-making class far more than a recipe, it is an event to experience. Mary is an outstanding expert at starting fire with primitive methods. She effectively communicates her understanding of materials and methods with calm assurance. She clearly places the use of the method in proper practical perspective while being totally committed to providing her students with understanding and success. Participants are guided, not pressured, as they make tools and learn technique through their own actions. Tuning and adjustment suggestions are given at points in the lesson that assure the student will appreciate and use the advice. The class goes beyond a tutorial. It is a real life-lesson providing activity and thoughts for you to process long after the class ends. I recommend this class without reservation." ~S. F. Clark, Worcester, VT

"In Mary, I found a hunting mentor who knew how to make the practical skills accessible to women in unique way. And, more importantly, I found an instructor who understood the spiritual and ethical ramifications of hunting, and who could create strong container for other women to dive deeply into learning and reclaiming this work. Mary is a talented instructor with a impressive skillset and a natural ability to empower her students. She walks that line of knowing when to both support and challenge the people in her classes. I appreciate how she brings a high caliber of intellectual discussion to the learning process, along with a kind of practical knowledge that is clearly the result of her extensive experience as a wilderness guide. When I first explored her work, I worried that my urban upbringing and lack of wilderness skills might hold me back in the learning process. Not so! She is a natural leader and role model for her students and her resolve and confidence inspire others."
~ Leonore Tjia, Burlington, VT

"I left the [Huntress Intensive] weekend feeling confident, grounded, excited and open for new hunting adventures. Mary and Chase were amazing co-teachers, each with such wisdom and gentle guidance. The class was structured, yet flexible. The group of women amazing and inspiring. Thank you!"
~ Colleen in Worcester, VT

"Winter Tracking was a total blast - equal parts education, exploration, and play. My favorite part was getting out into the woods, applying what I had learned, and making up my own meaning from the tracks we found. Murphy and Gary guided the group with total finesse and held the delicate balance between informational and experiential learning brilliantly."
~ Claire from Montpelier, VT

Mary leading a Long Trail Thruhike for teens.

Pieter Bohen, President of Farm & Wilderness Summer Camps, offers this endorsement of Mary's wilderness work:
“Mary has been a trip leader, trainer, guide and mentor at Farm & Wilderness Foundation for many years. Her gentle demeanor and subtle good humor belie her very strong field naturalist skills, judgement, risk management, and general ability to make a trip not just great, but transcendent. Mary continues to work for us as a consultant, and we look forward to many years of partnership with her new company.”