About Skurka

Andrew Skurka is an accomplished 28-year-old outdoor adventurer who since 2002 has trekked over 23,000 miles. His recent projects have been intense, off-trail endeavors through premier wilderness in Alaska, Iceland, the Colorado Plateau, and California. His earlier achievements include two monumental long-distance hiking firsts -- the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop and the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route. Skurka has been recognized as "Adventurer of the Year" by National Geographic Adventure and "Person of the Year" by Backpacker.

Skurka's long-distance adventures have been partly enabled by his light-and-fast approach to the backcountry, a style that he has helped define, articulate, and teach. His typical 3-season pack cumulatively weighs between 8 and 10 pounds, sans food and water; and he regularly logs 35-45 trail miles per day, day after day. Like most other backpackers, however, the Massachusetts native did not start off that way -- when he began the Appalachian Trail in 2002 he was carrying so much stuff (38 pounds, minus food and water) that on the second day he had to chant, "Katahdin, Katahdin, Katahdin," to keep himself motivated.

While Skurka is known primarily for his long-distance adventures, he has also emerged as a talented trail runner. In his first 100-mile run, the prestigious Leadville Trail 100, he placed second, in 18 hrs 17 min. He currently owns the 50-mile course record for the Spring Desert Ultra, in 7 hrs 29 min. Skurka has also posted fast splits for several classic adventure runs: he finished the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (42 miles) in 8 hrs 2 min, and the Zion National Park Traverse (48 miles) in 9 hrs 27 min, which currently is the fastest known time.

A graduate of Duke University, Skurka eschewed a conventional career and instead managed to turn his biggest passion into an occupation. He is a sought-after public speaker, experienced guide, wilderness instructor, writer and photographer, and sponsored athlete.

Skurka has been featured in media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News Channel, National Public Radio, National Geographic Adventure, Men's Journal, Backpacker, and dozens of more local newspapers and periodicals.

Accolades

National Geographic Adventure's 2007 "Adventurer of the Year"

Backpacker Magazine's 2005 "Person of the Year"

Men's Journal's "2005 Adventure Hall of Fame"

Teva Mountain Games: 2006 Everest Award for "Expedition of the Year"