bAckpack and Birdie are nobodies on the Appalachian Trail! Since childhood, Backpack’s dream has been to reach the northern states on foot, and Birdie is just a grouse during the trip. Over mountains, through forests, rain or fire, these two will reach the final summit, hopefully without too many setbacks along the way!
Written and inspired by the experiences of hikers, the idea for Backpack and Birdie came about as artist Gideon Smiley prepared for his AT trip in 2025. After arriving in Katahdin and returning home, he loved telling others about the uniquely unusual and often comical situations that arose when living outside of a pack.
Once again breaking out pencil and paper, he brought those memories to life through the characters Backpack and Birdie, who returned to the mountains to walk through the panels and through the hilarity of everything related to life on the trails. Follow @backpackandbirdie weekly on social media, at Backpack & Birdie on webtoonsor through gideonsmiley.com/backpack
«Stairs»
“Backpack and little bird”
«Shoes»
“Long legs”
«Rain»
«Darling»
“Beds”
«Option»
About the author
Gideon Smiley is an artist and illustrator born and based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After a childhood filled with classic newspaper comics and college years filled with drawing and painting, he enjoys illustrating the natural world and finding lightness in daily life. See more of his work @gideonsmileyart or at gideonsmiley.com.
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