Andrew Skurka is an accomplished American professional backpacker, speaker, guide, and writer renowned for his long-distance hiking achievements.
He has completed several groundbreaking expeditions, including the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop and the 7,775-mile Sea-to-Sea Route. Skurka’s Great Western Loop journey linked five long-distance hiking trails, 12 National Parks, and over 75 wilderness areas, which he completed in 208 days, averaging 33 miles per day.
Here we have Andrew Skurka’s net worth, earnings, achievements, biography, relationship status, and more.
About Andrew Skurka
Born in 1981, Skurka grew up in Seekonk, Massachusetts.
Career
Skurka has been recognized for his contributions to the field of adventure and exploration. He was named “Adventurer of the Year” by National Geographic Adventure in 2007 and “Person of the Year” by Backpacker Magazine in 2005.
His style of light-and-fast backcountry travel has helped define modern backpacking, with his pack contents typically weighing between 6.5 to 8 pounds, excluding food, water, and fuel.
In addition to his hiking accomplishments, Skurka is also an ultra-runner, having finished second in the Leadville 100 in 2008.
He has given over 140 presentations about his adventures and is a frequent contributor to Backpacking Light magazine.
Skurka also offers guided backpacking trips and courses through his company, Andrew Skurka Adventures, which aims to educate and inspire backpackers of all levels.
His notable Alaska-Yukon Expedition, a 4,700-mile journey completed over six months by foot, skis, and pack-raft, was featured in National Geographic. Skurka has also been inducted into Men’s Journal’s “Adventure Hall of Fame”.
Andrew Skurka’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Andrew Skurka’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million. His income streams are diverse and adventure-related, including his work as a professional backpacker, speaker, guide, and writer.
He earns from his guided backpacking trips and courses through his company, Andrew Skurka Adventures.
He also generates income from his book, “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide”, and from giving presentations about his adventures. In addition, Skurka has a blog that contributes to his income stream.
He has also been a sponsored athlete. It’s worth noting that Skurka’s company, Andrew Skurka Adventures LLC, offers a total compensation and benefits package ranging from $65,000 to $70,000 for the position of Assistant Program Director, which gives an indication of the company’s financial health.
The revenue of Andrew Skurka’s company is reported to be less than $5 million.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Profession | Professional Backpacker, Speaker, Guide, Writer |
| Notable Expeditions | Great Western Loop (6,875 miles), Sea-to-Sea Route (7,775 miles), Alaska-Yukon Expedition (4,700 miles) |
| Education | Duke University |
| Awards | “Adventurer of the Year” by National Geographic Adventure (2007), “Person of the Year” by Backpacker Magazine (2005) |
| Other Activities | Ultra-runner, Author, Contributor to Backpacking Light magazine |
| Company | Andrew Skurka Adventures |
| Residence | Boulder, Colorado |
| Family | Wife Amanda, two cats including one named Esmerelda |
| Age | 41 years old |
| Book | “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide” |
| @andrewskurka |
Wife
Andrew Skurka is married to Amanda. The couple resides in Boulder, Colorado, along with their two cats, Esmerelda and Luxor.
The couple got engaged in 2013. They met in November 2010, about two months after Skurka finished the Alaska-Yukon Expedition.
Achievements
| Achievement | Details |
| Great Western Loop | A 6,875-mile journey that linked five long-distance hiking trails, 12 National Parks, and over 75 wilderness areas. Skurka completed this in 208 days, averaging 33 miles per day |
| Sea-to-Sea Route | A 7,775-mile transcontinental network of long-distance hiking trails from Quebec to Washington, which involved 1,400 miles of snowshoeing and took him 11 months to complete |
| Alaska-Yukon Expedition | A 4,700-mile journey completed over six months by foot, skis, and pack-raft. This route began and ended 30 miles into the Arctic Circle, and is a route that had never been completed nor attempted previously |
| Other Hikes | Skurka has completed the 1,700-mile California section of the Pacific Crest Trail in 45 days, the 486-mile Colorado Trail (twice), the 2,170-mile Appalachian Trail in 95 days, and a 385-mile trek through northern Minnesota in January |
| Ultra-running | Skurka finished second at the Leadville 100 in 2008 |
| Awards | Skurka was named “Adventurer of the Year” by National Geographic Adventure in 2007 and “Person of the Year” by Backpacker Magazine in 2005. He has also been inducted into Men’s Journal’s “Adventure Hall of Fame” |
| Presentations | Skurka has given over 140 presentations about his adventures |
| Book | Skurka authored “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide,” which has sold over 125,000 copies |
| Guided Trips | Through his company, Andrew Skurka Adventures, Skurka offers guided backpacking trips and courses |
FAQs
Who is Andrew Skurka?
Andrew Skurka is an American professional backpacker, adventurer, and outdoor guide. He’s known for his ultra-long-distance hikes and his expertise in lightweight backpacking. He’s also an author, speaker, and ultramarathon runner.
What are Andrew Skurka’s most famous hiking achievements?
Skurka’s biggest claims to fame are his two record-breaking hikes:
- The Great Western Loop: A 6,875-mile hike linking five long-distance trails and passing through 12 National Parks, completed in 208 days in 2007.
- The Sea-to-Sea Route: A 7,778-mile trek from Quebec to Washington state took him 11 months and included 1,400 miles of snowshoeing.
- He also did a 4,679-mile trek around Alaska and the Yukon in 2010, which took him 176 days.
What awards has Andrew Skurka received?
Several major outdoor publications have recognized Skurka:
- Named “Adventurer of the Year” by National Geographic Adventure in 2007.
- Named “Person of the Year” by Backpacker magazine in 2005.
- Included in Outside’s “Outside 100” list in 2007.
- Inducted into Men’s Journal’s “Adventure Hall of Fame” in 2005.
What’s special about Andrew Skurka’s hiking style?
Skurka is known for his ultralight and fast approach to hiking. His pack typically weighs only 6.5 to 8 pounds without food and water. On his long treks, he often covers 35-45 miles per day.
What does Andrew Skurka do when he’s not on big adventures?
Between major expeditions, Skurka keeps busy. He:
- Runs a guiding business, leading backpacking trips and courses.
- He gives presentations about his adventures.
- Writes about outdoor skills and gear.
- He competes in ultramarathons (he’s finished second in the Leadville 100).
- He lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and two cats.
Has Andrew Skurka written any books?
Yes, he wrote “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & Techniques to Hit the Trail.” It’s been quite successful, selling over 120,000 copies.
What kind of guided trips does Andrew Skurka offer?
Skurka and his team of guides offer education-focused backpacking trips in various locations, including Utah’s canyons, Alaska’s Brooks Range, the High Sierra, the Olympics, Yellowstone, and the Appalachians. They specialize in lightweight, long-distance, and off-trail backpacking.
What’s Andrew Skurka’s background?
Skurka ran cross-country in high school and college. He graduated from Duke University with a degree in economics. He initially planned for a career in finance but changed course after a summer working at a high-adventure camp.
Has Andrew Skurka done anything besides hiking?
Yes, Skurka is also an accomplished runner. He’s completed several ultramarathons and has a personal best marathon time of 2:27:59. He placed 73rd at the 2017 Boston Marathon and has finished in the top 3 in several 100-mile trail races.
What are some of the routes Andrew Skurka has pioneered?
In addition to his long-distance hikes, Skurka has created and written guidebooks for four off-trail backpacking routes:
- Yosemite High Route.
- Pfiffner Traverse.
- Kings Canyon High Basin Route.
- Wind River High Route.
