Tim Murphy
Senior Field Guide
Joined Open Sky: June 2007
In Wilderness Therapy since: 2004
Interview with Tim
June 2009
Q: If you were able to meet anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?
A: Barack Obama. Politics aside, I find him to be inspiring and to be really trying to bring a sense of unity and hope to our country. I respect his leadership - his style of leadership reflects what I learned about leadership while in college studying wilderness leadership. I think that he is sincere and willing to be accountable when he makes mistakes. I believe in his idea of working to solve problems through good communication, similar to what we teach students at Open Sky. He is able to be direct, compassionate and hold boundaries. He listens. Most of all, his positive can do attitude and even-keeled calmness is contagious. He demonstrates the qualities I look for in a great leader and work to develop in myself. Willie Unsoled (among the first Americans to climb Mt. Everest) is a close second.
Q: What are a few of the defining moments in your life and why?
A: Wow, that is a big question. I believe that I am continually growing and every step of the way there has been a situation or a choice or a milestone that reflects that point along my journey.
Discovering what is truly most important to me (my family) during an unsuccessful attempt on Denali in 1999 comes to mind. I had to really trust my intuition and make some difficult choices.
Battling through and beating a depressive cycle that had been with me most of my life also sticks out. During that time, I experienced an immense amount of self-discovery and personal empowerment. Through that time I gained not only tools to help myself but to help others who struggle with depression as well.
I suppose in the name of honesty, jumping on a Greyhound bus when I was 18 years old and moving from Maryland to California in order to "Do it on my own" is what really opened a door to the path I walk today. I made many poor decisions and choices during this time. Due to a good head on my shoulders and the unconditional love of my family (when I needed it the most and likely deserved it the least) was able to put my life back together and learn so much about how life can work out.
Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
A: A woman named Jackie Weimer is one of the most inspiring people in my life. She was a roommate, climbing partner and friend who passed away at too young an age in a climbing accident. In the time I spent with her, she picked up the metaphorical ball I had dropped and tossed it back to me. After I had walked away from working with kids in the wilderness, she encouraged me to return to the work. She may have been the most energetic person and positive person I have known. She was the person who would be getting back from a long five mile run at seven in the morning in order to get me out of bed and be early to meet friends for a climbing outing. She changed my life for the better and I hope I can find the motivation to live my life more like she did.
Q: What are your unique gifts and/or experiences that help our students?
A: Life has given my so many unique experiences and gifts. It hasn't always been a very smooth road. Many of my life lessons come from an eclectic array of poor choices and mistakes. Many others come from the love and support of family and community. I grew up in a strict Catholic family. I lived on the street in California for almost a year. I attended a very progressive college. I was in a relationship with an addict for many years. I have lost people very close to my heart and have found great friends in the most unexpected places. I discovered the use of metaphor, applied to life, through rock climbing and wilderness. All of these experiences I have gained so much to apply to my life now and in working with my students at Open Sky. Often times, I feel blessed to learn from my students what feels like more than I could ever possibly give to them. They are amazing teachers.
Q: Why do you work in wilderness therapy?
A: I work in wilderness therapy because I believe in it. Wilderness experiences processed thoughtfully open many doors to greater awareness and growth. I also (on a selfish level), gain so much from the work. I grow more and more with each new experience. The people I am privileged to work with are simply amazing and the community that goes along with the guiding lifestyle is supportive and fun. I find a lot of peace spending my days in the natural world and it helps to keep order in my own life.
Q: Why do you think wilderness therapy works?
A: I don't think wilderness therapy works. I know it works. I know this through two main avenues. First, my own personal experience in which I found the wilderness to be paramount in sculpting my life’s path towards a positive direction. Second, I have been involved with groups in the wilderness since 1994 - specific to wilderness therapy since 2004. I have been a part of countless peoples' revelations and life changing moments over the years. I believe so many have found success through the challenges wilderness offers. Living simply, without all the distractions of TV, internet, iPods, cell phones, friends, and parents enables students to really focus on themselves and confront issues surrounding why they are in a program. Learning how to communicate more effectively in a small group setting where the students need to rely on each other for support, food, and social interaction every day, students develop interpersonal skills that can stay with them for the rest of their lives. The living outdoors in any kind of weather builds self-confidence and self-reliance as well as character and humility. Opportunities to develop leadership skills help to develop organization, management and selflessness. Spending time in nature (often most memorably during solos) enables a safe place for inner reflection and brings peace to one's soul.
Q: What do you think Open Sky students need?
A: Well, that is a complicated question. Our students each have needs unique to them. Across the board, all students need to be listened to (and, among other things, this helps the staff understand what their individual needs are). Students need compassion, empathy and to be challenged. Students also need clear and firm boundaries. This aspect helps to bring order and structure to lives that feel like are spinning out of control. Our students need time to work through their challenges. Our students need to experience a mutual respect and need to be, most of all, loved.
Q: What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t working in the field?
A: I like to spend as much time as I can rock climbing. Skiing can be pretty fun too. Yoga and meditation are important parts of my life both in and out of work. I aspire to be a rock star one day (ok, I like to pretend a lot - I play the guitar and write songs; maybe I'll settle for playing a coffee shop once in a while). I make an effort to visit my family in Maryland two times a year, being a part of their lives is very important to me. Without them, I would not be here. I have three younger sisters, two younger brothers and four nephews, with a fifth on the way.
Q: Anything else you want to tell us about yourself?
A: I am a Libra. I just bought my first home and it fits conveniently on the back of my truck. I was a little punk rocker with a big mohawk as a teenager (and had my first taste of rock and roll stardom, playing bass in a punk rock band). I have spent time in every state other than the Deep South and Hawaii. It used to be important to me to visit every state, now with only six or seven left, it doesn't seem as important. There isn't much rock climbing in Florida or Mississippi. When I retire, I want to be a bee keeper - my first pay check came from a bee keeper when I was in seventh grade and it would bee cool to come full circle with the work things (also bee's keep you young).
Professional Experience
Three Rivers Montana, Bozeman, Montana
Senior Field Guide, Team Leader
Bridger Bowl
Ski Lift Operator
Blanchard Landscape Contractors
Foreman
Colorado Outward Bound
Assistant Instructor
Education
BA, Wilderness Leadership
Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
