by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Feb 12, 2019 | Advice, Uncategorized
It’s no secret this is going to be a big snow year on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, too. It got me thinking about how I learned the hard way how to keep my feet warm in snowy “summer” hiking conditions. Distance hikers are going...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Feb 6, 2019 | Advice
Hiking the CDT calls for some expensive appetizers in Lima, MT. Town stops are the most expensive part of thru-hiking. Prospective hikers frequently ask me for tips on keeping the money flow low and the fun times high while on a thru-hike. These are a few cost saving...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Feb 1, 2019 | Advice, OR Show, Outdoor Industry
First Timer’s Guide to Outdoor Retailer 01 FEBRUARY 2019 Hiker Life Outdoor Retailer Gear As we speak, the long distance hiking community is taking over the Outdoor Winter Retailer Show at the Denver Convention Center. I’ve been to over a dozen Outdoor Retailer...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Jan 23, 2019 | Community, Hike, The Hiking Community, Tips and Tricks
However you define “big miles,” here are tips to do your first 10, 20, 30 or 50-mile day hike. A few weeks ago, I posted a story on Instagram about re-hiking Cactus to the Clouds, a dayhike called “one of America’s hardest and deadliest” by Backpacker Magazine. It got...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Jan 14, 2019 | Advice, Uncategorized
Dealing with Post-Hike Depression 14 JANUARY, 2019 Minimalism Life Hiking At first, being home will be great after your long adventure. Endless food. Endless Netflix. No more foot/leg/back/what-have-you pain. Temperature control. Roof. Your family wants to hear about...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Dec 17, 2018 | Advice, Uncategorized
Gift Giving Guide 2018 17 DECEMBER, 2018 Minimalism Life Hiking What makes a good gift? In 2018, I’ve been thinking more about what it means to care about our footprint on the planet while also showing others we care for them during the holiday season. The best gifts...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Oct 2, 2018 | Advice
Why the National Scenic Trails Act matters 2 OCTOBER, 2018 Hiking Life Advocacy Today is the 50th anniversary of the National Scenic Trails Act. To celebrate, this is a version of a speech I gave at the Russell Senate Building on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C....
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Aug 15, 2018 | boundary trail, John Muir Trail, Thru Hike, Trail
Why the Boundary Trail could be the next John Muir Trail 15 AUGUST, 2018 Pacific Northwest Backpacking Short Thru-hikes No permits. No people. No roads. No bear cans requirements. Could the Boundary Trail be the uncrowded alternative to JMT? I recently hiked the...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | Jun 6, 2018 | hiking europe, snowdonia way, Thru Hike, Trail
Intro to the Snowdonia Way 6 JUNE, 2016 Snowdonia Way Hiking Europe Long Trails I’m hiking a new route across Snowdonia National Park in Northern Wales: the Snowdonia Way. Despite not even knowing Snowdonia exists until a few months ago, after googling photos, I knew...
by Liz "Snorkel" Thomas | May 9, 2018 | Advice, camping, hiking, intro, quick start, Uncategorized
New to Backpacking? Try a Mock Overnighter 09 MAY 2018 Camping Backpacking Skills Many people find it challenging and scary to transition from dayhiking to camping on a backpacking trip. Because many students in my Thru-hiking 101 needed to be home to their kids for...
