Episode 78 – Liz Thomas – Talking Urban Thru-Hiking

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Margaret Schlachter

Liz Thomas is among the most experienced female hikers in the U.S. and is known for backpacking light, fast and solo. In 2011, she broke the women’s unsupported speed record on the 2,181-mile long Appalachian Trail, besting the previous record by almost a week. 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 Wasatch Range, which she did solo. Liz is affectionately known as the “Queen of Urban Hiking,” having pioneered and completed routes in five cities across the U.S.

Liz has been featured on Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! News, Outside Online, and Gizmodo. She gives presentations about long distance hiking around the country, especially to college outdoor clubs like the one where she first learned how to backpack. Liz is honored to serve as Vice President of the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West and as one of five ambassadors for American Hiking Society. Liz is the author of Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike published by Falcon Guide and instructor for Backpacker Magazine’s 6-week online class, Thru-hiking 101. When not on trail, Liz lives in Southern California and is an outdoor staff writer for the Wirecutter, part of the New York Times.