Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike

by Liz Thomas, Backpacker Magazine Editors

Overview

WINNER OF THE 2017 NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARDS (INSTRUCTIONAL CATEGORY)

Make the Dream of a Long Distance Thru-Hike a Reality

Have you been dreaming of the summer when you can hike the Appalachian Trail? Or marvel at the snow-capped peaks along the Pacific Crest Trail? Or simply section hike the Continental Divide Trail? In Backpacker’s Long Trails, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas, former women’s speed record holder for the AT and veteran of twenty long trails, gives you the tools to make this dream a reality. Included is trail-proven advice on selecting gear, stocking resupplies, and planning your budget and schedule, complete with gorgeous photographs of life on the trail. Along the way, enjoy sneak peeks into not only the Triple Crown trails, but also lesser-known long trails throughout North America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493028733
Publisher:	Falcon Guides
Publication date:	04/15/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	328
File size:	51 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Liz Thomas broke the women’s self-assisted speed record on the 2,181-mile long Appalachian Trail, besting the previous record by almost a week, in 2011. She has completed the Triple Crown of Hiking–the Appalachian Trail, the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail–and has backpacked over 15,000 miles across the United States on 20 long distance hikes, including the pioneering traverse of the Chinook Trail across the Columbia River Gorge and the pioneering traverse of the Wasatch Range, which she did solo. Liz has been featured in Backpacker magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! News, Outside Online, and Gizmodo. She is Vice President of the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West and one of four ambassadors for American Hiking Society. She currently works as a staff outdoor writer at the New York Times.

Editorial Reviews

Every so often a book comes along, finds broad acceptance, and becomes the bible of a sport.  This book is destined to rise to that position among long-trail hiking guides.  Authored by Liz Thomas who has hiked the big three—Appalachian, Continental Divide and Pacific Crest—this comprehensive work is literally brimming full of practical advice for backpackers planning to spend weeks on the trail.  In addition to Thomas’s fine writing, sidebars written by other experienced hikers offer alternative ideas and strategies.  If you have a hankering to go on a long hike, there’s no question about it.  This is the one book that you’ll want to read before you go.

From the Publisher

Smart, entertaining, and chock-full of useful information, Backpacker Long Trails is for anyone who wants to backpack for several day or several months. Liz Thomas has hiked farther than most have ever imagined possible but, lucky for us, she still remembers what it was like just starting out. With clever ideas and useful tips for experienced and inexperienced hikers alike, this book belongs on every outdoors person's bookshelf.

Peter Olsen

Liz Thomas has to be the most unassuming super-hiker I have ever backpacked with. There is nobody better to discuss the all-important topic of life on the trail. I love her emphasis on hike your own hike, empowering people to discover the right way to hike a long trail for themselves.

Glen Van Peski

Liz Thomas unpacks the secrets and strategies of how to be successful on a long distance trail. She offers professional tips and personal stories that will help novice hikers and recreational backpackers transition into accomplished thru-hikers.

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Backpacker Long Trails is the most inclusive guide to thru-hiking and long distance backpacking out there. Liz's experience and attention to detail will prepare you not only to plan your own hike but to provide you with inspiration to explore trails you probably didn't even know existed.

Heather "Anish" Anderson

Record-setting Triple Crown thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas lays out hard-won practical advice. This book gives the aspiring long-distance hiker the fundamental knowledge and confidence to embark on a life-changing journey.

David Money Harris

On my first long trail, it took me until Damascus, Virginia, (450 miles up the Appalachian Trail) to learn much of this information—and through countless bouts of painful and expensive trial-and-error. Reading this book will get you miles ahead in your preparedness and planning for the trail—and proper prior planning prevents poor performance!

Justin Lichter