Great Western Loop
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by user ActiveEnduranceSports
Andrew Skurka is a 26-year-old backpacker best known for being the first to complete the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route in July 2005. His 11-month, transcontinental hike began in Quebec and followed a network of trails to Washington. This accomplishment earned Skurka some of the top accolades in the outdoor industry in 2005 and 2006.
After months of careful planning, Skurka hit the trail again on April 9, attempting to become the first person to complete the Great Western Loop. This 6,875-mile footpath is made up of a network of five existing long-distance hiking trails and a self-designed section that passes through the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. The trip started on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and will take seven months to complete. Ending in early-November, Skurka will have passed though 12 national parks and over 75 wilderness areas during his journey.
In additional to impressive backpacking experience, Skurka is also a conservationist and well-respected public speaker. Skurka has been an ambassador of living a “lightweight lifestyle” in hopes to minimize his individual impact on the environment while raising awareness of the environmental implications caused by global warming.
