Press

This page sums up some of the media coverage that has covered Francis Tapon or his book. It's also useful for those in the media who want a high-resolution photo for print (just click on the images on this page). It also helps the FBI when they're doing their background checks on me.

I recommend reviewing the "About" page to get my bio. To learn more about my books, visit the books page.

Hall of Fame: In 2009, I 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 I "barely missed induction," I was quite honored to be nominated. Besides, it gives me motivation to keep doing looney activities outdoors and sharing my adventures. Some think that they nominated me because I've evangelized about the glories of backpacking 10,000 miles, but I know the real reason: they're impressed that I backpacked for 45 days without a shower.

Radio Interviews and Podcasts

• KSFR, Santa Fe Public Radio, "Interview with Francis Tapon," by Emily Drabanski. It aired on the radio program, "Hello, New Mexico," and is now a podcast. We talk about my CDT Yo-Yo and my book.

• PracticalBackpacking.com, "CDT Yo-Yo," by Bernie Wilt. An interview about my CDT Yo-Yo.

• Backpackinglight.com, "Five Pounds of Gear," by Carol Crooker. A 42 minute interview about how I survive for many months in the mountains with just over five pounds of gear.

• Backpackinglight.com, "Traveling for a living," by Carol Crooker. A 15 minute interview on how one can travel for a living.

• PracticalBackpacking.com, "Francis Tapon - Hike Your Own Hike," by Bernie Wilt. An interview prior to my PCT hike and about my book.

Periodicals

• Backpacker Magazine, "American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail," by Michael Lanza. I explained the pros and cons of hiking southbound on the AT.

• Backpacker Magazine, "The Onion Vs. Mr. Magoo: On Your Mark, Get Set... Hike. Inside a 5,600 footrace on the country's hardest trail," by Andrew Tilin. Here is my opinion on the article.

• TGO Magazine, "Francis Tapon: The first person to yo-yo America's wildest trail talk heating, eating and philosophy of lightweight," by John Manning. The best part of this article is that it claims I am a decade younger than I really am.

• New Mexico Magazine, "There and Back Again," by Ashley Biggers. The 5-page article is about Francis Tapon's CDT Yo-Yo.

• San Francisco Chronicle, "His life is a long, gratifying hike," by Tom Stienstra. A profile on my whacky life.

• San Francisco Chronicle, "Good time to take inventory on gear - and yourself," by Tom Stienstra. A brief mention on what hiking shoes I prefer.

• Rocky Mountain News, "Five Questions for Francis Tapon," Tuesday, June 19, 2007. About the CDT.

• Inov8, my shoe sponsor, put a little profile of me on their website.

• New York Times Magazine, "The Little Creepy Crawlers Who Will Eat You In The Night," by Michael Lewis. The famous author, Michael Lewis, biked around with me to learn about Silicon Valley and what it's like to start a company there.

• National Geographic, "Best of Adventure, Trends: New Leaf," wrote "That kind of annuity should give guys like Francis Tapon—who thru-hiked some 2,800 miles (4,506 kilometers) on the nearly completed Continental Divide Trail (only to turn around and hike back)—more room to roam, both above and below tree line."

Book Reviews

• Redding.com, "With each step begins a journey, a chance to hike your hike," Thom Gabrukiewicz. "His book worth reading, for anyone and everyone unsure of their current path.... The 351-page book has helped bring focus to my own journey. I'm confident it'll help you, too."

• Boots 'N All, Hike Your Own Hike book review, by Mary Keener. "...The book becomes a catalyst for a new trend in the reader's life. Mr. Tapon has done his part well."

• Continental Divide Trail Alliance, Hike Your Own Hike book review.

• Revish, Hike Your Own Hike book review, "It's enlightening, educational, and entertaining."

• The Blasphemous Bicycler, "it was fun to read and only took 2 days to finish."
  

Television / Video

Amazon and Lincoln Mercury teamed up to profile 25 individuals who were pursuing a classic dream. One of those 25 dreams was "To Travel the World." Their producers picked me as the person who best personifies that dream. I'm sure there were better examples out there, but the producers were tired of looking and wanted to get home to watch the game on TV.

As a result, a film crew of dozen professionals spent two days filming me at various locations. After much editing, here is what they did...

Francis Tapon's Dream of Traveling the World from Francis Tapon on Vimeo.