Francis Tapon is the author of “Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America.” He has walked across America four times: he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, and in 2007, became the first to do a round-trip on the Continental Divide Trail. He’s walked across Spain twice. He’s done Mont Blanc in trail runners. In 2009, he was nominated a one of the seven finalists to the California Outdoors Hall of Fame, which “features nominees who are world-renowned for their skills and who have helped inspire thousands of others to take part in the great outdoors.” Although he “barely missed induction,” he was quite honored to be nominated. Some think that they nominated him because he’s evangelized about the glories of backpacking 20,000 km (12,500 miles), but we know the real reason: they’re impressed that he backpacked for 45 days without a shower.

Home: San Francisco, CA – but usually is traveling

Age: 40

Website: www.FrancisTapon.com

Favorite Training Ground: Sierra Nevada. Even if you go on a busy holiday weekend, if you hike far enough, you’ll find solitude.

Current Plans: In August 2011, he will launch his second book, “The Hidden Europe.” It’s about Eastern Europe, including many of the incredible backpacking adventures you can have there. In 2012-2014 he will be traveling and backpacking in all 55 countries in Africa.