There is no hiker more famous than Ray Jardine. He is often credited with igniting the light weight hiking revolution.
Jardine championed hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail using only lightweight gear.
He replaced tent with a tarp & sleeping bag with a quilt. He advises that we make & modify our own gear.
His controversial book Beyond Backpacking (1999) is now the Bible for many thru-hikers.
In his spare time, Jardine rowed across the Atlantic, kayaked to the Arctic Ocean, cycled across America twice, and canoed the sub-Arctic wilderness.
Oh, and he invented the “Friend” used by all elite rock climbers.
besthike.com 
ray jardine is a true inspiration. Even my 5 year old looks forward to a good backpacking trip!