View Full Version : never too old to hike the AT ! 77 year old man hikes the trail!
http://www.njherald.com/story/30127857/2015/09/28/sparta-man-77-is-fourth-oldest-hiker-to-complete-appalachian-trail
illabelle
10-05-2015, 10:33
Awesome! We met this guy as he was nearing Caratunk (we were doing a SOBO section). So neat to see him get the recognition he deserves. :)
NJdreamer
10-05-2015, 21:20
I want a spouse like that. My husband says he is willing to do the same thing for me as she did when I am 77. Until then, I am on my own.
Seriously, all of their travels are amazing. Congratulations to both of them.
It is inspirational and helps me keep my dream alive. I think I might just challenge the record one of these days! :) I've always wanted to hike the trail, but just like him, always too many responsibilities. I always thought I'd tackle it as soon as I retired. It never dawned on me that when that time came, I'd then have two precious grandbabies I can't stand to be away from for more than about 2 days at a time!
So now I'm pushing 70, and I'm figuring when those babies are teenagers -- and I'll be pushing 80 -- I might just be heading for the Georgia hills!
Jefals, I'm a tad older than you, and I have two granddaughters, aged 6 and 3, but I didn't let that stop me from hiking. On my recent Damascus to Amicalola section hike, I sent them both postcards almost every time I got into town. My daughter reports that the girls loved getting mail from grandma tiptoe. My advice: Don't wait another 10 years for a marathon hike you may not be able to complete. Just get started now hiking sections while you are willing and able.
Jefals, I'm a tad older than you, and I have two granddaughters, aged 6 and 3, but I didn't let that stop me from hiking. On my recent Damascus to Amicalola section hike, I sent them both postcards almost every time I got into town. My daughter reports that the girls loved getting mail from grandma tiptoe. My advice: Don't wait another 10 years for a marathon hike you may not be able to complete. Just get started now hiking sections while you are willing and able.
Well, in my case, they lived with me for a couple years, and, especially the young one - it was her first two years. So there's that bond. I did a 3 month road trip last fall, and she was always asking for Grandpa. Of course I missed her too.
So, while I love "traipsing thru the woods" - for some inexplicable reason- it just doesn't compare with having that little sweetheart sitting in my lap, forcing me to play paddycakes 27 times in a row!:)
Maybe you can "hike" with the grandkids. Get them started with a route that's really short and sweet. Bring lots of snacks, take photos, do nature study. Soon they'll be hooked, hopefully, and the adventures can get longer.
Maybe you can "hike" with the grandkids. Get them started with a route that's really short and sweet. Bring lots of snacks, take photos, do nature study. Soon they'll be hooked, hopefully, and the adventures can get longer.
great idea!