Liz “snorkel” Thomas – Hiking Icon

Thomas has thru-hiked more than 20 long trails, including the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide and Appalachian Trails (the Triple Crown). On top of that, she set a fastest known time on the AT for an unsupported woman and has completed dozens of urban thru-hikes as well. This issue, she joins Backpacker as a contributing editor. Here’s some of Thomas’s best advice and insight fed by more than 20,000 trail miles.

Dayhike on a long trail. I started day hiking in southern California, then one day happened upon the PCT. To see a sign that basically says hike this way and you’ll reach Canada in 2,000 miles was enlightening. That my feet had touched such a pathway opened a world of possibilities in my mind. What if I actually did it? Could I? This was the spark that took me from dayhiker to thru-hiker. Even if you’re out for only half a mile, on a long trail, you’re part of a bigger idea.