About your coach

Adam Salinger’s 45 years of backpacking experience have taught him to maximize distance while minimizing gear. To that end, he constantly researches and tests the latest backpacking equipment. He can often be found studying maps and dreaming about adventures. Although Adam often enjoys hiking established trails, he has vast experience creating off-trail routes. As a result, he is often rewarded with solitude and a sense of accomplishment. 

Adam holds a Business Degree (BS), a Masters in Education (MA), and Wilderness First Aid Certification (WFR from NOLS since 2016). As an elementary school educator, he has successfully integrated outdoor education into his curriculum and extracurricular activities. Most recently, he created and supervised a Grades K-12 school site with an emphasis upon Outdoor Education. 

Adam resides in Sacramento, California with his wife and daughter.

A Selection of Adam’s Long Distance Backpacking Accomplishments:

  • 2000 - Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail - 2167 miles

  • 2001 - Thru-Hike of the John Muir Trail - 225 miles

  • 2002 - Thru-Hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail - 165 miles

  • 2005 - Thru-Hike of the Wonderland Trail - 93 miles

  • 2008 - Eastern Sierra On/Off Trail Horseshoe ending on Mt. Whitney - 89.7 miles and a total elevation gain/loss of over 35,000 feet

  • 2013 - Thru-Hike of the John Muir Trail - 225 miles (over 7 days)

  • 2013 - 2023 Fifteen 60 to 100-Mile personally-created routes in the Eastern Sierra

  • 2015 - Circumnavigated the Entire Rim of the Yosemite Valley in 3 days - ~60 miles

  • 2017-2023 - Multiple fastpack trips of a 60-mile Pacific Crest Trail Section from Highway 50 to Highway 80

  • 2015-2022 - Multiple Thru-Hikes of the 25-mile Lost Coast Trail and one YoYo (out and back)

  • 2020 - Thru-Hike of the Ruby Crest Trail - 43 miles

  • 2020 - Three weeks in the Brooks Range of Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska; paddled 95 miles of the Noatak River; 133 miles of day hikes and backpacking in tributaries

  • 2021 - Incomplete Thru-Hike of the Sierra High Route. Completed 60 of the approximately 225-mile route; exited due to injury.

  • 2022 - Thru-Hike of the Teton Crest Trail - 39.5 Miles

  • 2023 - South San Diego Grand Tour - Custom 90-mile loop created by a friend

  • 2023 - Thru-hike of The Colorado Trail - ~500 miles in 19 days - Denver to Durango