Every year, thousands of thru-hikers embark on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Appalachian Trail (AT), or Continental Divide Trail (CDT), dreaming of dipping their feet in roaring rapids, summiting smooth granite domes, and lounging in spacious meadows filled with pastel wildflowers. However, only a select few achieve the coveted Triple Crown by completing all three, trekking nearly 8000 miles across the American wilderness. 

The Triple Crown is a monumental achievement, but thru-hiking transcends mere mileage. It’s an opportunity for reinvention, life-changing friendships with the most unlikely of people, and full immersion in the here and now.

Here are six Asian American Triple Crown hikers who have defied stereotypes by taking the road less traveled. 

Liz “Snorkel” Thomas

Liz Thomas, 37, is a trailblazing, Japanese-American, award-winning author with the most beautiful smile and a heart of gold. Her journey into thru-hiking began in 2004 while hiking to San Jacinto Peak in Southern California, where she crossed paths with the PCT, a single, continuous, 2,650-mile trek from Mexico to Canada. The PCT planted the spirit of adventure within the depths of her imagination. And after years of saving, Liz took the leap, beginning her first long-distance thru-hike on the AT in 2008. 

“I would’ve liked to do the PCT first but the timing didn’t work out with other obligations,” Liz said. “You can start and end the AT a little earlier, so in the end, everything fell into place.”

Liz went on to hike over 20,000 miles. After completing the AT, she followed up with the PCT in 2009 and the CDT in 2010, officially achieving the Triple Crown. She set the former women’s unsupported speed record on the AT in 2011, became the first person to complete the legendary Chinook Trail, hiked the PCT again in 2022, and now serves as editor-in-chief at Treeline Review. 

Her advice for newcomers to thru-hiking is to take the role of the student and seek mentorship from experienced hikers. 

“Reading and watching videos is one thing, but there is nothing like actually learning from someone who has been there,” said the hiking legend. “Seeing others have done it, especially folks who look like you, can help give you the confidence you need to realize you can do it, too.” 

It’s no surprise that Liz is a strong advocate for diverse representation in outdoor media. The outdoor industry has come a long way, but she believes there’s more work to be done to represent BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. 

“Ultimately, what’s going to make the biggest difference is having the people in power be the people from those communities,” Liz reflected. “They can consult all they want, but what needs to happen is to have diverse folks sitting in those rooms making the decisions.” 

“When I first started writing in the outdoor industry for big publications, I was usually the only person of color in the room, and sometimes the only woman,” Liz added. “Even as the make-up of the room changed, those who called the shots were almost always white men—and that’s still the case.”

Determined to be the change, Liz founded Treeline Review, a gear review platform that prioritizes diversity among its writers and staff to create opportunities for underrepresented groups and ensure their voices are heard in influential spaces.

“We get so much feedback from readers that this work matters,” Liz said. “We’ve established a safe space, like Melanin Base Camp, where folks who haven’t had opportunities from unpaid internships can receive training and compensation.”

 Join Liz Thomas's outdoor journey by following her Instagram @lizthomashiking, and grab your copy of her award-winning book, “Long-Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike.”

Shinobu “Buddha” Price

Shinobu Price, 49, is a legendary, Japanese/mixed-Caucasian, Nordic skiing mother of two with an aura of boundless positivity. She also happens to be the first-ever Asian American woman to complete the Triple Crown. Her thru-hiking adventures began in 2002, at the age of 27, when her high school friend, Sasha, asked if she’d join her on the Appalachian Trail. 

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision,” Shinobu said. “Sasha lived in Massachusetts, so I flew out to meet her. We bought all our food, set up our resupply boxes, planned for four days, and then flew to Atlanta.” 

The AT is the most popular of the Triple Crown hikes with over 3,000 people applying for permits each year. But among the many strangers turned friends, one person in particular caught Shinobu’s attention. On the third day, in Hiawassee, Georgia, she met a fellow thru-hiker named Zack, who would become the love of her life.

“So many couples ended up together that year,” Shinobu said. “We kind of skipped dating. Zack sprained his ankle, had to leave the trail, and moved to Seattle. And after I finished the AT, I just moved right in with him. I didn’t really know him. And now we’ve been together 22 years!”

“After the AT in 2002, we were both itching to get back out there, so we hiked the PCT in 2003,” Shinobu added. “We had sponsors at that time, so the year after, in 2004, we did the Colorado Trail, which is 500 miles. And in 2005, we did the CDT, and I completed the Triple Crown.”

Shinobu’s sage advice for first-time hikers is to relax, hike your own hike, and trust in your ability to learn on the fly. 

“Back then, we didn’t have a lot of water caches, trail angels, Garmins, SPOT beacons, or InReach for emergency rescue, so it was very different,” Shinobu said. “You don’t have to be perfectly prepared and have everything you need right at the beginning. Don’t stress out.”

“I’ve met people who hiked with their external frame backpacks and nothing else,” Shinobu added. “They were hiking with giant boots, frying pans, and fishing poles—and they still did it.” 

Shinobu advocates for increased visibility of underrepresented communities in advertising. And while the push for inclusion in the outdoors is ongoing, she encourages everyone to pause, take a breath, and smell the roses of progress. 

“There was no diversity when I started,” Shinobu said. “But you know, I’m starting to see the change. If you look at marketing way back, outdoor companies would just use white models. It always seemed like such a white space. But now, you’ll see women of color. You never saw that back in the day. It’s a slight change, but it’s really cool. It’s wonderful to feel represented.” 

Throughout her journey, Shinobu wrote trail journals, created an incredible portfolio of outdoor photography, and dabbled as a writer and editor for a Japanese arts foundation. She now coaches Nordic skiing in Lake Tahoe, California. 

“Thru-hiking gets into your bones and changes your outlook on what you find important,” Shinobu said. “There are so many different ways to approach it, and there’s no one right way. You’ll learn what works best for you.”

Explore Shinobu’s photography website, and reach out with any questions or comments at shinobuprice@gmail.com. 

Tyler “The Prodigy” Lau

Tyler Lau is known as “The Prodigy” in the hiking community. In 2018, he became the first person of color, the first Asian American, and the first person from Hong Kong to complete the Calendar Year Triple Crown.

As a child, Tyler grew up playing in the backyard and exploring national parks with family on hiking trips. 

“I grew up third culture in Southern California and Hong Kong,” said Tyler. “I had to assimilate by speaking different languages, never knowing who I truly was, always juggling between two different identities.” 

Tyler first heard of thru-hiking when his colleagues discussed obtaining permits for the PCT. The idea of hiking from San Diego to Canada was appealing. However, his conservation work, especially wildland firefighting, typically coincided with hiking season.  Finally, in 2016, he seized his opportunity and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.

“The landscapes and wildlife of Southern California intrigued me,” Tyler recalled. “It isn’t just desert. You go through three large mountain ranges, and the different ecosystems are amazing.” 

Tyler is currently a Senior Project Manager with the American Conservation Experience (ACE), revving chainsaws, carving new trails, and restoring vegetation for animals, horse riders, and hikers. Looking ahead, he envisions a future where the outdoor industry not only embraces diversity but actively supports it through equitable representation and access. 

“It’s important to remember that there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, especially in outdoor spaces where the dominant narrative often tries to keep politics out,” Tyler explained. “While the outdoors itself may not discriminate, our experiences in it are shaped by historical and societal contexts.”

Tyler’s advice to newcomers is to prioritize personal fulfillment over competitive goals. He encourages hikers to embrace their unique selves and to resist comparing themselves to others. 

“You have every right to be out there,” said Tyler. “Doing it for the right reasons means doing what’s right for you.”

“Hiking and the outdoors shouldn’t be pigeonholed into completing a long-distance thru-hike from start to finish,” Tyler added. “What’s important is finding joy, fulfillment, and personal growth no matter the distance.”

Follow @hikingprodigy on Instagram to join his adventures. 

Lo Phong La “Lil’ Buddha” Kiatoukaysy

Lo Phong La Kiatoukaysy, 48, is affectionately known as Lil’ Buddha on the trails and LP off them. The long-distance hiker was born in Thailand to Hmong parents. To date, he’s walked over 45,000 miles on trails worldwide, including three U.S. Triple Crowns. And his current aspiration is the Pangea Traverse— an audacious 18,000-mile transatlantic expedition spanning multiple continents, countries, and over 21 languages. 

At age 10, Lil’ Buddha was camping with his family in the Collegiate West mountain range in Colorado, when he met a disheveled hiker traversing the CDT. This brief meeting ignited a spark that stoked a flame nine years later when Lil’ Buddha, inspired by literary figures like Jack Kerouac, embarked on his first thru-hike in 1995 at age 19. He hopped onto trains, hitched rides, and exchanged stories as he headed west toward California to trek the Nüümü Poyo, also known as the John Muir Trail (JMT). 

“At the time, thru-hiking was punk rock,” Lil’ Buddha explained. “And nothing was more punk rock than donating all your material possessions, putting everything of consequence in a backpack, saying “screw you” to the world, and walking off into the woods.”

Despite facing occasional racism, his experiences on the trail have reaffirmed his faith in humanity. He recalls numerous instances where people went out of their way to help him, including a memorable encounter in Wyoming where ranchers not only allowed him to cross their property but also provided food, water, and companionship along the way. 

“Over and over again, people showed up when I needed them most,” said Lil’ Buddha. “Their kindness inspires me to be a better person, forgive a bit easier, and give more of myself.” 

Beyond his thru-hiking achievements, Lil’ Buddha collaborates with trail organizations like the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), serving on diversity boards and promoting safe spaces for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women hikers. He believes in the power of representation and the need for visible role models who can inspire others from marginalized communities. 

“My advice for first-time thru-hikers? Ask a lot of questions,” said Lil’ Buddha. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to that famous hiker or sign up for a class. Embrace who you are, take up space, and find support and community—they’re out there.” 

Connect with Lil’ Buddha via email at lilbuddhahikes@gmail.com for questions, and follow @lilbuddhahikes on Instagram to join his journey on the Pangea Traverse.

Phaneendra “Everest” Kollipara

Phaneendra Kollipara, 32, is an ultramarathon trail runner who moved to the United States from Southern India at age 21 to pursue a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering in Michigan. After graduating in 2017, he set his sights on the AT, a 2,190-mile trek stretching from Georgia to Maine. Despite having minimal backpacking experience, Phaneendra was undeterred. 

He completed the Triple Crown in 2019. 

“The whole idea of my thru-hiking was to understand culture,” Phaneendra reflected. “The beauty and freedom of the trail will only last for a while. Even the most spectacular views, since you’re living it every day, can get old, but the people you meet will stick with you for the rest of your life.”

His trail name, Everest, originated on the AT due to his tall stature, boundless energy, and habit of carrying spice packets from an Indian brand called Everest to combat the blandness of typical trail food. His experience on the AT taught him resilience and adaptability as the monotony of daily hiking turned into a rhythm, immersing Phaneendra in the simplicity and purity of life on the trail. 

Phaneendra noticed a glaring absence of diversity when he reached the Appalachian Trail Conservatory (ATC) headquarters in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, the halfway point of the AT. The ATC photographer informed him that the last time she had photographed an AT Indian thru-hiker was 10 years before. 

“That hit hard,” Phaneendra recalled. “It’s mostly a lack of representation, which is why I made a conscious effort to initiate conversations with fellow hikers. My friends and I would often discuss various methods to draw out stories, open hearts and minds, and share a few stories of our own.”

These days, Phaneendra gathers a few friends every year and introduces them to the world of backpacking. 

“I want to pass down my knowledge so, in the future, they’ll want to go explore on their own,” said Phaneendra. “It’s so much fun. You see the spark in their eyes, and it reminds me of how I felt when I first started on the AT.” 

He currently lives in South India, a region often overlooked by the allure of the northern Himalayas, where he continues to inspire others as a race director with TriMetrix, organizing trail runs such as the ultra marathon, Happy Forest Run, scheduled for October 20th, 2024. 

Phaneendra loves to connect with aspiring hikers. Feel free to reach out with questions via email at phaneendra.kollipara23@gmail.com and follow his Instagram @tittu.kp. 

Shian “Barrel Roll” Sung

And last but not least, Shian Sung is a proud thru-hiking father of two who completed the Triple Crown in 2013.  Shian was born to Chinese immigrants in New England. Not traditionally exposed to outdoor pursuits in his youth due to academic pressures, he found himself drawn to the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2005, after years in software engineering. What began as a European backpacking trip morphed into a fascination with the AT’s promise of freedom and natural beauty. 

“I was figuring out how to ask for six months off instead of three,” said Shian. “I told my job that I’m going to take a sabbatical or quit. One or the other is fine, but I’m going to do this.” 

Despite initial challenges like tent collapses in the middle of rainstorms and swarms of flesh-eating blackflies in Maine, Shian discovered an unmatched joy and clarity on the trail, where he was engulfed by the tranquility of the moment, dreaming of chicken nuggets, and fumbling with the lyrics to his favorite songs. 

“When I finished the AT, I had more questions than when I started,” Shian reflected. “Did I figure out whether to go back to school, settle any relationship matters, or discover my life’s purpose? No. But I knew I found something that was missing, and I wanted more of it.”

For over 15 years, Shian pursued his passion for outdoor exploration by contributing to brands like Eastern Mountain Sports and Adventure 16, serving as a Mountain Search and Rescue crew member, and working as an outdoor climbing guide. 

He also advocates for increased visibility and access for underrepresented minorities, partnering with various organizations like Donate-A-Pack, Outdoor Outreach, and Wilderness Experience to provide refurbished gear to at-risk youth.

Shian’s advice is to embrace leaping into the unknown, regardless of background or experience, as a pathway to personal empowerment and lifelong friendships. He believes that the transformative power of simplifying life on the trail offers an abundance of strength and mental fortitude that can transfer to all aspects of life. 

“You can do anything you put your mind to,” said Shian. “The outdoors is a place where you can feel powerful in your own body while enjoying the amazing wilderness that our world has to offer.”