ABOUT BART SMITH "THAT TRAIL GUY"

Bart’s love of nature was nurtured by family outings.  Old family photos show Bart as an infant being held by his mother in front of a canvas tent in the woods.  Growing up, his father’s career, as a world-renowned research pediatrician, provided opportunities to hike in England, Germany, the Alps, Hawaii, and throughout the US.  Bart’s Eagle Scout project was building a new trail through the woods in his hometown.  In 1988, while working as the Audiovisual Coordinator at a hospital, Bart met his future wife, Bridgie, at a Nursing Conference.  He was given his first Professional SRL camera as a going away present when quitting his “good career job” to travel around the world to hike in 1991.

Bart returned home, after nearly a year, now with 2 loves: hiking and photography.  He then decided to hike and photograph the Pacific Crest Trail with the goal of having a photo coffee table book published.  It took about 5 years to hone his skills because Bart is color-blind.  Four days after submitting an unsolicited book proposal with no writer involved, just his slides, the owner of the publishing company called offering him a contract to publish his first book Along the Pacific Crest Trail.  Based on that success, Bart decided to hike/photograph the Appalachian Trail.  Then on a whim, he was able to convince Earl Shaffer (the legendary long distance hiker, who in 1948 was the 1st person to complete the Appalachian Trail in one year--his boots and pith helmet have since been donated to the Smithsonian.) to join forces for his second book, The Appalachian Trail: Calling Me Back to the Hills.  It covered Earl’s historic 50th Anniversary Hike of 1998, which he completed weeks shy of turning 80. 

Half way through the Florida Trail, Bart decided to hike/photograph all 8 of the National Scenic Trails with the goal of finishing on 40th Anniversary of the enactment of the National Trails System Act.  At the time, it seemed like a reachable goal.  His third book is Along the Florida Trail.  The Ice Age Trail was his next adventure, hiked during what became known as a “hundred year mosquito blood drive.”  U.S. House of Representative David Obey wrote the forward to Along Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail. 

In January 2005, the hiking on the Natchez Trace Trail was perfect.  Upon returning to complete 27 added miles there was a high heat index warning.  While walking along the Parkway of flat Mississippi, he nearly suffered a heat stroke.  The Potomac Heritage Trail was hiked during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Allegheny section making Bart one of the first to hike the entire trail.  The next 2¼ years Bart spent hiking 4,400 miles on the North Country Trail.  While walking 1,000’s of mid-west miles, Bart used equipment such as a jogger stroller to transport his 60-pound gear along the highway.  This is called “Road Walking.”

Bart found himself frequently commuting cross-country over the years from his home in the Pacific Northwest.  Making the most of this opportunity, he began following the Pony Express Historical Trail.  His fifth book, Along the Pony Express Trail, is scheduled to come out March of 2009. 

Now he is on the Continental Divide Trail heading into the final days of his 16-year long quest. The only other historical achievement that compares to this is John J Audubon’s desire to paint the birds of America.  Both Audubon’s and Bart’s dreams required a willingness to be separated from loved ones for extended periods.  Everyday comforts of life became rare luxuries to be savored. Both men traipsed tens of thousands of miles in the wilderness.  Carrying the tools of their art upon their back, along with all their other provisions they were steadfast in the pursuit of their dream.   In the end, John J Audubon and Bart Smith produced unprecedented portfolios to share with Americans and the world.