Andrew Skurka
Andrew Skurka is a professional backpacker who is best known for his two long-distance hiking firsts—the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop and the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route. He was named the 2007 "Adventurer of the Year" by National Geographic Adventure (which described him as "a Gen Y version of Henry David Thoreau or John Muir") and the 2005 "Person of the Year" by Backpacker Magazine.[1][2]
In November 2007, Skurka completed the Great Western Loop, a 6,875-mile journey that links together 5 long-distance hiking trails, 12 National Parks, and over 75 wilderness areas, which he hiked in 208 days, an average of 33 miles per day.[2][3] In addition, in July 2005 Skurka completed the Sea-to-Sea Route, a transcontinental network of long-distance hiking trails from Quebec to Washington, which took him 11 months and which involved 1,400 miles of snowshoeing.[4][5] Skurka’s shorter hikes include the 1,700-mile California section of the Pacific Crest Trail (in 44 days), the 480-mile Colorado Trail (twice), the 2,170-mile Appalachian Trail (in 95 days), a 385-mile trek through northern Minnesota in January, and many week and weekend-long trips in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.[2] In 2010 he hiked a 4,679 mile route around Alaska, which took him 176 days.[6]
In addition to expanding the limits of long-distance backpacking, Skurka has defined the light-and-fast style of backcountry travel. The contents of his pack cumulatively weigh a mere 6.5 to 8 pounds, sans food, water, and fuel; and he regularly logs 35-45 miles per day, day after day.[2]
In addition to the distinctions from Adventure and Backpacker, Skurka was featured in Outside’s 2007 "Outside 100" list[7] and in Men’s Journal’s "2005 Adventure Hall of Fame."[8] He has appeared in numerous newspapers and television broadcasts, including The Wall Street Journal[9] and the Fox News Channel.
Skurka also focuses on environmental issues on his trips.[2]
A graduate of Duke University, Skurka is a sponsored athlete, paid speaker, and writer. He is a member of The Explorers Club, has given over 140 presentations about his adventures, and is a frequent contributor to Backpacking Light Magazine.
Skurka is also an ultrarunner. In 2008, he finished second at the Leadville 100.[10]
In March 2011, the VOA Special English service of the Voice of America broadcast a 15-minute program on Andrew Skurka. A transcript and MP3 of the program, intended for English learners, can be found at Explorer Andrew Skurka Takes Hiking to a New Level.
[edit] References
- ^ Brun, Becky. "Faces - Andrew Skurka". Outdoors NW. http://www.outdoorsnw.com/c_editorial/Faces/People/Faces_0905_AndrewSkurka.cfm. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e Duane, Daniel. "2007 Adventurer of the Year: The Walking Man". National Geographic Adventure. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/achievements/andrew-skurka.html. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ^ Willoughby, Scott (January 1, 2008). "Boulderite stands on record". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/hiking/ci_7853225. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ^ Parker, Paul Edward (July 18, 2005). "Seekonk man's solo journey from sea to shining sea". The Providence Journal. http://www.projo.com/massachusetts/content/projo_20050718_hiker.76dbb96.html. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ^ Veis, Greg. "Hiking from coast to coast". Duke Magazine. http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/030406/depmini-skurka.html. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ^ Koeppel, Dan (March 2011). "Circling Alaska in 176 Days". National Geographic: 138–147.
- ^ "The Outside 100". Outside Magazine. http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/200712/outside-100-8.html. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ^ Daley, Jason (2005). "2005 Adventure Hall of Fame". Men's Journal.
- ^ Barlyn, Suzanne. "Tricks of the Trade: A backpacker buys shoes". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Kwak-Hefferan, Elisabeth. "Love on the Rocks". Women's Adventure. http://www.womensadventuremagazine.com/articles/jan09/ontherocks0109.html. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
