Patrick “Dosu Kinuta” French is a professional athlete and 10 crown thru-hiker who strives to test limits and consistently pushes what is possible for the human body and mind to endure.
A New Hampshire native – who has taken his home state’s motto of “Live Free or Die” to heart – he has hiked 23 different trails, with over 21,000 thru-hiking miles under his belt.
As an athlete for La Sportiva, Zpacks, and Glacial Gear, he contributes to product innovation and design by putting gear to the test – and in the toughest conditions for the betterment of the community.
Having always felt out-of-step with the way society measures success with material possessions, Dosu abandoned his for a backpack and real freedom. Living his life in the outdoors – 365 – he found his true home and calling with a community of nomads called thru-hikers, who welcomed him and filled his heart with love.
1. Cultivating the best tribe in the world – with eternal gratitude for his trail fam, trail angels, and supporters!
2. Never quitting. Dosu never gives up or quits any challenge he’s undertaken – despite dehydration, frostbite, nerve damage, tornadoes, pandemics, or anything else nature has thrown at him.
3. Successfully living an almost completely outdoor life for over four years, despite physical and social challenges.
4. Surviving 21 days in a swampy Argentine savannah on season 15 of Naked and Afraid. Dosu was able to conquer a different type of challenge and push himself in a new way – showing the world he is more than just the ultimate hiker.
5. Backpacking over 21,000 miles (all his long-distance trails) after having tested positive for Lyme disease. While this accomplishment doesn’t quite seem like it once did, at the time, it felt like an insurmountable challenge – overcoming something both physically and mentally daunting – as well as the anxiety it caused – yet having the courage to find out and overcome it.
2015
Appalachian Trail
Long Trail
2017
Pacific Crest Trail
2018
Wonderland Trail
2019
Continental Divide Trail
Teton Crest Trail
2020
Arizona Trail
White Mountain Diretissima
Hayduke
2021
Florida Trail
Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail
Pacific Northwest Trail
Oregon Coast Trail
Oregon Desert Trail
2022
Ocean to Lakes Trail
Natchez Trace Trail*
Potomac Heritage Trail
Ice Age Trail
Superior Hiking Trail
North Country Trail
*Fastest known time, self-supported
