Andrew Skurka is an accomplished 27-year-old professional backpacker who is most well known for his two monumental 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 and the 2005 “Person of the Year” by Backpacker. (read more)
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JUNE 30 -- BOULDER, CO
In a few hours my 2008 hiking season finally begins, and it’ll be in full swing through at least mid-October. I start with the 200-mile Sierra High Route, which I’m doing with well-known trail runner Buzz Burrell. About half the route is off-trail and we’re giving ourselves 11 days to complete it. I’m back in town for 1.5 days before flying overseas for what will likely be the highlight of my summer: trekking across Iceland. The mileage is suspect -- probably 700 or so -- but with 20+ hours of daylight I’m hoping that 21 days gives me enough time. Before I begin the traverse I'll do the 46-mile Laugavegurinn, which is the most famous hiking trail in Iceland.
In good tradition tonight will likely be an all-nighter -- it's not easy clearing my desk of work for the next 1.5 months, even though I have some practice doing it.
The year continues with the Leadville 100 ultra-marathon on August 16 -- a new venture for me, prompted by a surprisingly good performance at the San Juan Solstice 50-Miler on June 21; followed by Backpacking Light Magazine Wilderness Trekking courses in Portland, Bozeman, and Escalante. I’ll be riding my bike a few thousand miles to these locations in an attempt to save on gas, get some exercise, and learn how to apply lightweight backpacking principals to bicycle touring -- knowledge that may serve me well if my next wild trip idea comes to fruition. I’m hoping to squeeze in week-long hikes in the Olympics and the North Cascades between speaking engagements in Seattle and Banff in September.