William “Bill” Kemsley, a longtime Taos resident, founder of Backpacker magazine and nationally recognized trail advocate, died peacefully at his home in Taos, according to his wife, Joy Jensen. He was 98.

Known to many as “Backpacker Bill,” Kemsley founded Backpacker magazine in 1973 and later co-founded the American Hiking Society in 1976. He was a leading advocate for the Appalachian Trail, helping build public support for legislation that secured federal funding and land acquisition to protect and complete the iconic trail. In 2018, he was inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame for his contributions to trail advocacy and conservation.

Kemsley spent decades promoting hiking, trail stewardship and outdoor recreation across the United States while remaining an active hiker well into his 90s. After retiring to Taos in the early 1990s, he became a familiar figure on local trails and a frequent contributor to Taos News, sharing his passion for hiking and conservation with readers.

The Taos News will feature Kemsley’s remarkable life and legacy in an upcoming edition.