On November 3, 2007, accomplished professional backpacker Andrew Skurka became the first person to complete the 11,000-kilometre Great Western Loop, an ambitious journey that links the American West’s great long-distance hiking trails and traverses 12 national parks and over 75 wilderness areas.

He covered the distance — which is equivalent to 262 marathons, or 2.5 times the distance between Banff and Quebec City — in 208 days, a blistering pace of 53 kilometres per day. He carried a mere three kilograms of gear and ate a whopping 7,000 calories daily. In addition to experiencing many of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes in America, Skurka surveyed the toll that global warming is taking on them. For his achievement, not only for the sheer athleticism and determination he displayed, but in the sobering discoveries he made along the way, Skurka was named National Geographic Adventure’s 2007 "Adventurer of the Year.” 

Skurka’s inspiring and informative slideshow is complemented with beautiful images and entertaining video. A question and answer session, and an opportunity to purchase some of Skurka’s favorite photographic prints, will follow the presentation.