Magnanti battles wind at San Gorgonio Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Age: 32

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

Accomplishments: A long-distance trail machine, Magnanti ticked off Vermont’s Long Trail in 1997 and 1999, the Appalachian Trail in 1998, the Pacific Crest Trail in 2002 and the Colorado Trail in 2004. He’s a trail work volunteer for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and Wilderness Restoration Volunteers. From 2002 to 2004, Magnanti was a board member of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association. He’s also an Internet service technician and a novice runner who recently completed two marathons and an ultramarathon.

Why I Backpack: “While backpacking, I am not a visitor to the wilderness, the wilderness is my home.”

Keeping It Real: “I need to find a balance between my wanderlust and stability. I love my life in Boulder: I have great friends, a job I enjoy, and I find something challenging and rewarding to do almost every weekend. But the urge to travel, to explore and seek new experiences is a strong one. Trying to balance these two opposing urges can be interesting.”

Favorite Moment: “When I reached Jo-Mary Lake in Maine on my Appalachian thru-hike. It was only a few days before the end of my trek. The sun was setting and reflecting on the water. There was a slight breeze blowing, and I could hear the water rippling. It was the epitome of backpacking for me—simple, beautiful, contemplative.”

Last Updated: Feb 24th, 2006 - 14:18:11
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