Olive McGloin Q&A: ‘My feet expanded a full size’

Olive McGloin is an ultra-hiker who became the first woman to ‘yoyo’ America’s Pacific Crest Trail, from the Mexican to Canadian border, and back again. The Dubliner completed the continuous 5,300-mile (or 8,600-kilometre) trek through sandstorms and snowstorms in 195 days.

Last Wednesday McGloin was“in shock” after winning the Woman of the Year gong at the Outsider Adventure Awards. Only 77 people have completed the Pacific Crest Trail more than once, McGloin doing so twice in the one hike. She walked with her husband, Darrell Johnson, until his injury forced her to continue alone. She completed the hike in late 2014 but her story only emerged more recently.

Q: When you look back at the 6,000 photos you took during your 195-day hike, what feelings spring to mind?