Trailblazing Tales with Liz Thomas: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike on 'Papa Bear Hikes' Podcast
Papa Bear Hikes
Papa Bear Hikes
5 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 10 January 2024
⏱️ 62 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this special repost episode from May 2021 of the "Papa Bear Hikes" podcast, listeners are invited to revisit an engaging conversation with Liz Thomas, a prominent figure in professional hiking, speaking, and outdoor writing. Celebrated for her remarkable achievement of holding the women’s self-supported speed record on the Appalachian Trail from 2011-2015, Liz's 2,181-mile journey is a compelling narrative of endurance, resilience, and adventure.
Liz's prominence in the hiking community is further underscored by her title as a "thru-hiking legend," bestowed upon her by Outside Magazine. This recognition is a testament to her extensive expertise and significant impact in the hiking world. Her impressive accomplishments include not only completing the famed Triple Crown of Hiking — the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail — but also pioneering first-known traverses of the Wasatch Range in Utah and the Chinook Trail in the Columbia River Gorge. These challenging expeditions showcase her adventurous spirit and deep bond with the wilderness.
Beyond traditional trails, Liz has also ventured into innovative urban thru-hikes in 14 major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. These unique urban treks blend natural and urban landscapes, redefining the concept of outdoor expeditions and attracting a diverse audience.
Apart from her hiking exploits, Liz is a recognized author. Her book, "Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike," acclaimed as a significant addition to hiking literature, won the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book in 2017. Often referred to as the “Bible of the Sport,” it provides in-depth insights and guidance for long-distance hiking enthusiasts and professionals. Her book is available for purchase on Amazon.
For those interested in keeping up with Liz's adventures and expert advice, her Instagram account, Liz "Snorkel" Thomas (@lizthomashiking), offers an array of inspiring photos and videos. Her website, Liz Thomas Hiking - Long Distance Adventure and Urban Hiking, delves deeper into her hiking philosophy, experiences, and tips for fellow hikers. Additionally, Liz contributes her knowledge and gear reviews to Treeline Review.
Listeners tuning into this repost episode of the "Papa Bear Hikes" podcast will find themselves immersed in a captivating session, brimming with trail stories, personal insights, and invaluable advice from Liz Thomas. This episode is a must-listen for both seasoned hikers and those newly embarking on their hiking journey.
Discover more about Liz "Snorkel" Thomas and her incredible hiking adventures by following her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lizthomashiking/ where she shares inspiring photos and videos of her journeys. For a deeper insight into her philosophy and experiences in both long-distance and urban hiking, visit her website Liz Thomas Hiking - Long Distance Adventure and Urban Hiking.
If you're interested in her book, "Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike," you can find it on Amazo
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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello, welcome to another episode of Papa Bear Heights. |
| 0:13.3 | I'm very excited to introduce today's guest. |
| 0:15.6 | We have with us a professional hiker, speaker, an outdoor writer, |
| 0:20.7 | who from 2011 to 2015 held the women's self-supported speed record for the Appalachian Trail. |
| 0:27.0 | Call the Thruhiker Legend by Outdoor, I'm sorry, Outside Magazine, she has has had 20 plus long distance trails including the |
| 0:35.6 | triple crown and for you those of you who may not be familiar with the triple crown |
| 0:39.2 | that's the Appalachian Trail the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Devai Trail. |
| 0:44.8 | Her innovative urban hiking has led the guardian to call her the Queen of Urban Hiking. |
| 0:50.0 | A former staff writer for the New York Times, Wirecutter, and current editor-in-chief |
| 0:55.0 | for the Outdoor at Gear Review website Tree Review, |
| 0:58.0 | as well as a contributing editor and columnist |
| 1:00.6 | for Backpacker magazine with their feature of Ask the Through Hiker. |
| 1:05.0 | In 2017 she was awarded the best instructional book. Her book meant long trails. Best Instructional Book, her book, Long Trails, Mastering the Art of Through Hiking. |
| 1:17.0 | She received an award for Best Instructional Book, and they said that it was destined to become the Bible of the sport. |
| 1:24.0 | Liz, Snorkel Thomas, welcome to Papa |
| 1:25.8 | Hikes. |
| 1:26.8 | Thanks so much for having me on Papa Bear. |
| 1:28.3 | So yeah, this is exciting and it's quite a bio you have. I'm familiar with your writing. I've read a lot of your articles and I've been a subscriber to Backpacker magazine for years, but your accomplishments are far beyond what I initially thought they were. |
| 1:49.6 | So why don't we start by you telling us a little bit about yourself? |
| 1:53.0 | I love two things and actually three things. |
| 1:57.8 | I love hiking and I love hiking in all sorts of places from the wilderness to the front country to the city and I love writing about it and sharing my experience with being outdoors. |
| 2:09.0 | Hoping to inspire folks to go out there and take their first step, whether it's a first step going out into a |
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