View Full Version : youngest appalachian trail solo thru-hiker?
EarlyStarter
02-10-2009, 18:56
How old was the youngest, solo thru-hiker? I ask this because I'm planning to do a solo hike when I'm 18 and I'm curious as to wether or not that's an "extreme" age to do a solo hike...
though probally not a solo thru, I know that a 6yr old kid has thru hiker the AT
Ramble~On
02-10-2009, 19:03
"Slap Happy" in 96 was 18.
"Kirby" last year...how old was he ?
What better time to do it...between high school and college, in your youth with teenager legs...some time to seriously think about what you want to do with your life and to carry with you for the rest of it the experience.
Kirby was 16 when he hiked. Worked it out with his high school. He may hold the record
Kirby was 16 when he hiked. Worked it out with his high school. He may hold the record
Kirby didn't solo his trip.
Kirby didn't solo his trip.
He may have startred up the trail with a couple of other folks, but that lasted maybe to Neel Gap. I would call his hike a solo.
Don't know if he would be the youngest, but he would have to be close.
Ramble~On
02-10-2009, 20:20
By solo I'd understand it to mean alone as in without a hiking partner for the duration of the trip.
Hiking as part of a group from time to time is going to happen and if that were the case there'd be room for arguing that no one ever actually hiked the entire trail solo.
buff_jeff
02-10-2009, 20:30
Nah, 18 isn't that extreme. There was a 16 or 17 year old out this summer thru-hiking. His name was Ian. I never saw him after GSMNP. Still don't know if he ever made it. There's also Kirby.
By solo I'd understand it to mean alone as in without a hiking partner for the duration of the trip.
Hiking as part of a group from time to time is going to happen and if that were the case there'd be room for arguing that no one ever actually hiked the entire trail solo.
what ever
karoberts
02-10-2009, 20:56
In 2008, I saw several thru-hiker guys that were in the late teens. I do not think it is very common but certainly not rare.
sliderule
02-10-2009, 21:11
Hiking as part of a group from time to time is going to happen and if that were the case there'd be room for arguing that no one ever actually hiked the entire trail solo.
Nor has anyone "thru hiked."
YoungMoose
02-10-2009, 21:21
18 isnt a extreme age. im going to be doing it right when i get out of high shcool
Blissful
02-10-2009, 21:24
Kirby turned 17 very early on in his hike (maybe in Franklin?). But he was definitely one of the younger dudes soloing it.
My son was 16, turned 17 in Maine, but we did it together - sort of. :)
garlic08
02-10-2009, 21:26
I hiked a little with Kirby (17 when I met him in ME). His hike was as much a "solo" hike as anyone's. He took care of himself.
Feral Bill
02-10-2009, 21:41
In this context, shouldn't "solo" mean without supervision?
In this context, shouldn't "solo" mean without supervision?
Yes, I would think so since we are talking about a minor child, under 18. Solo would indeed be without adult supervision.
The last time I saw Ian was at the Wayne Henderson Festival at Grayson Highlands State Park. For awhile he had a little traveling concession where he sold snickers bars along the trail. Unfortunately a bear relieved him of his inventory at roaring fork shelter. A very nice and respectful young man.
Hikerhead
02-10-2009, 23:57
Do yall remember Cascade? She thru hiked with the Odd Couple and her brother Mudslide a few years ago. I guess she was about 10 then. I think she's going to do a solo this year and she must be around 14 now. I saw one post she did on TJ about a month ago or so.
warraghiyagey
02-11-2009, 00:05
Of course nobody had mentioned Baby Gregg (Smith) who walked the length of the trail in 1990 at just 6 and 1/2 years old.
sasquatch2014
02-11-2009, 00:19
There was a SoBo I think in 07 don't think she had a trail name. Introduced herself as Betsy when I met her I heard she was about 16 or 17. I am not a real good judge of age and the age that I was told I am not real sure was correct but she was pretty young. when I saw her she said she hadn't seen anyone in a few days and hadn't camped with anyone for over a week. :bliss:
I think Cascade is probably around 17. She says on her journal that her last thru was 10 years ago and that she is currently finishing highschool classes but won't be at the graduation since she will be on the trail.
Just my guess though :)
backdraft in 2000 was 16 and had to get permission for his high school and others to hike.
Jayboflavin04
02-11-2009, 15:48
Would love to bring my son with me when I thru-hike. He will be 10 when I am planning in 2011. I highly doubt that my x-wife will go for this! I am hoping that she will at least allow a couple months with me. He loves to camp and hike. He did 10 miles in dollysods WV at the age of 6. Word of advice for kids. Never put them in a leather hiking boot. They out grow them before they can be broke in.
In the pic in front of the trailhead sign was taken right after we did the 10 miles. His feet were killing him!!!! He still smiles for the pic and even went hiking the next day!![
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5622
Would love to bring my son with me when I thru-hike. He will be 10 when I am planning in 2011. [
Awesome!! Good luck
Great looking young man you have there. He looks like he belongs out there. Hope he can join you on your hike. Good luck
in the 70's Rodale books a young guy thrued in summer during high school at that time it was pretty much a solo for everyone. He had buried 1 gal plastic mayo type jars for supplies
backdraft in 2000 was 16 and had to get permission for his high school and others to hike.
He was 17 when he finished. I hiked with him in NH. Two other 17 year olds hiked the trail that year. All three 17 year olds hiked alone, unless they chose to do otherwise.
Hikerhead
02-11-2009, 19:39
I think Cascade is probably around 17. She says on her journal that her last thru was 10 years ago and that she is currently finishing highschool classes but won't be at the graduation since she will be on the trail.
Just my guess though :)
You are exactly right. Thanks
Of course nobody had mentioned Baby Gregg (Smith) who walked the length of the trail in 1990 at just 6 and 1/2 years old.
Mr. Pokey mentioned a six-year-old had thru-hiked. I'd read about the family that hiked together including this hard-core little camper. The issue here is hiking "solo", in this case without parents.
According to our records, the youngest solo thru-hiker was "Leap Frog," from Maine. He was 15 when he completed a northbound thru-hike in 1995.
Laurie P.
ATC
In 2006 Trooper thru-hiked nobo at the age of 14. He was with his father TINS. They summitted around 3 August. If you need confirmation, I can provide a contact with them. I understood that others had done it at a younger age, but I cannot verify.
Hikerhead
02-11-2009, 23:19
In 2006 Trooper thru-hiked nobo at the age of 14. He was with his father TINS. They summitted around 3 August. If you need confirmation, I can provide a contact with them. I understood that others had done it at a younger age, but I cannot verify.
The key word here is "solo".
sticks&stones
02-11-2009, 23:35
not solo but definitely remarkable was the family that I thrued with in 00 who carried a 2 year old baby the entire way. The other kids were 12, 10, 10, 6, and mom w/ dad. reached springer in march of 01! right thru one of the more brutal winters on AT in recent years.
According to our records, the youngest solo thru-hiker was "Leap Frog," from Maine. He was 15 when he completed a northbound thru-hike in 1995.
Laurie P.
ATCWhile any "solo" thru-hike is a tough and involved endeavor, the concept of "youngest" in relation to this falls into the realm of oddities and irresponsibility IMHO. After all, while kids are often mature beyond their age, at what point does a legal parent or guardian begin to encroach upon neglect for sanctioning this sort of "stunt". Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that a properly motivated, experienced and financially backed 13 year old could make it, maybe even a younger child. Only problem is that at some point a "young adult" IS a child and no child should be left unsupervised, period.
in 2001 I think there were 3 children who were very young. They were brothers/sisters. I'm not sure exactly how young. I heard about them while I was on the trail. I didn't meet them myself, just heard about them. They were dropped off by their parents and were without adult supervision.
Panzer
Ooops my mistake, or he had a birthday, I hike with him Ga thru Va.
I started 16, turned 17 in Franklin, NC.
There were some others out there this year around 17-18.
Kirby
Feral Bill
02-12-2009, 21:21
Would love to bring my son with me when I thru-hike. He will be 10 when I am planning in 2011. I highly doubt that my x-wife will go for this! I am hoping that she will at least allow a couple months with me. He loves to camp and hike. He did 10 miles in dollysods WV at the age of 6. Word of advice for kids. Never put them in a leather hiking boot. They out grow them before they can be broke in.
In the pic in front of the trailhead sign was taken right after we did the 10 miles. His feet were killing him!!!! He still smiles for the pic and even went hiking the next day!![
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5622
He sounds a lot like my daughter. Hike with him now while you can still keep up with him.
Jayboflavin04
02-13-2009, 12:36
That is funny bill! I think maybe he is gonna be one of those slow hikers! I can never get that kid moving quick enough for ANYTHING!
How old was Hungry Howie on his hike? He was fairly young as I recall.
Helmuth.Fishmonger
03-10-2009, 13:45
Would love to bring my son with me when I thru-hike. He will be 10 when I am planning in 2011. I highly doubt that my x-wife will go for this!
I went down the John Muir Trail last summer with my then 10-year-old twins. ex-wife was all for it (since she used to do these things herself many moons ago).
http://didnt.doit.wisc.edu/outdoor/silver_pass_2008_web.jpg
This year we're trying for the youngest John Muir Trail yo-yo thru-hikers ever. Starting June 30 at Happy Isles in Yos. Vally, turnaround at Whitney Portal on June 17/18 (night in town, pool, pizza), back to Yosemite by August 3rd.
The way these kids are going (it was totally their idea to do the yo-yo this year), I think I'll be doing the PCT with them well before they are 18...
I'm already vaguely exploring a fast southbound hike, 100 days... once their legs get a little longer and their motivation stays as high as it is now, it may acually happen.
anyone know the age of the youngest PCT through-hiker?
Blissful
03-10-2009, 13:48
Loved seeing your pic and story. Great!
Gray Blazer
03-10-2009, 13:51
in 2001 I think there were 3 children who were very young. They were brothers/sisters. I'm not sure exactly how young. I heard about them while I was on the trail. I didn't meet them myself, just heard about them. They were dropped off by their parents and were without adult supervision.
Panzer
Hansel and Gretel (and Fival).
Helmuth.Fishmonger
03-10-2009, 14:01
Loved seeing your pic and story. Great!
much more of the story here - broadband required
http://didnt.doit.wisc.edu/outdoor/muir2008/video/index.htm
the actual hike starts in Tape 2 clip 41 (there will be an edited video before we head out again this summer)
The people who run the Muir Trail Ranch, a popular resupply location on the trail could not remember ever seeing anyone this young coming through, although some research shows that in 1982 another 10-year-old did the whole trail.
2005 "Oblivious" hiked with his mother and father, "Anchor & Troll". He was 12 then. he also thru'd the PCT last year. Hats off to thees young guns. I would have loved to hike long distance at a young age.
I did the AT when I was 18-19 and certainly didn't feel as if I was exceptionally young to be doing so. I ran into several folks thru hiking that were my age and a couple younger. Nobody seemed to think any of us were that rare.
Cedar Tree
03-10-2009, 18:50
In 2000. I camped one night with a girl who told me she was 16. Her Trail name was Frog Princess and she also told me she thru-ed the year before at 15. She stayed at Uncle Johnny's at the same time I did, and we camped together the next night. She was definitely young, and hiking alone. Whether she actually did what she told me, I don't know, but that's my story.
CT
stumpknocker
03-10-2009, 19:23
in 2001 I think there were 3 children who were very young. They were brothers/sisters. I'm not sure exactly how young. I heard about them while I was on the trail. I didn't meet them myself, just heard about them. They were dropped off by their parents and were without adult supervision.
Panzer
That was 15 year old Sassafras and siblings in 2001. Sassafras came back in 2002 at 16 years old and thru hiked nobo in about 4 1/2 months. She wore $25.00 tennis shoes and did the hike on the cheap and seemed to have a great time.
Mountain Maiden
03-10-2009, 21:45
Do yall remember Cascade? She thru hiked with the Odd Couple and her brother Mudslide a few years ago. I guess she was about 10 then. I think she's going to do a solo this year and she must be around 14 now. I saw one post she did on TJ about a month ago or so.
I hiked with Cascade and her younger brother ROCKSLIDE (LOL) and their parents, Honer and Theresa during my thru in '02. Totally awesome kids! Always singing and having a good time. We were together thru several states and not once did I ever hear them complain or whine or throw out negativities! Not so of most other hikers.....
A wonderful family!
S:sun
Jake.ta.sasquatch
03-10-2009, 22:18
Its not new, but rare, im going solo and so are you, which is also rare. Good luck, its not new but awesome to expierence the appalachian trail so early in life when most of the people i have hiked with previously are much older!
stumpknocker
03-10-2009, 22:42
I hiked with Cascade and her younger brother ROCKSLIDE (LOL) and their parents, Honer and Theresa during my thru in '02. Totally awesome kids! Always singing and having a good time. We were together thru several states and not once did I ever hear them complain or whine or throw out negativities! Not so of most other hikers.....
A wonderful family!
S:sun
Hello Sunrise,
Yah...I hiked around them mostly in Maine that year. I can still see the big smiles on their faces each time they saw me coming up the Trail. :)
One of the youngest is back out again this year, although I think she's 18 now...and one of the oldest ( I think he was 82 on his last thru hike) is out there. He's 86 years old now and heading for Katahdin...and has more energy than most 20 year olds.
Good luck to both of them!!
I'm not the youngest ever, but possibly the youngest solo for 08. I turned 17 on the trail in Vermont last summer.
frog princess
05-07-2009, 03:36
In 2000. I camped one night with a girl who told me she was 16. Her Trail name was Frog Princess and she also told me she thru-ed the year before at 15. She stayed at Uncle Johnny's at the same time I did, and we camped together the next night. She was definitely young, and hiking alone. Whether she actually did what she told me, I don't know, but that's my story.
CT
My ears are ringing!Hehe.
Actually 16, I turned 17 halfway through the trail in 1999. I would have been 17 or 18 when I met you. I started with 2 friends, though I did hike some by myself and was not hiking with my original friends after halfway. Can't say I recall you specifically. Sorry, must be getting old : ).
TJ aka Teej
05-07-2009, 04:10
My ears are ringing!Hehe.
Actually 16, I turned 17 halfway through the trail in 1999. I would have been 17 or 18 when I met you. I started with 2 friends, though I did hike some by myself and was not hiking with my original friends after halfway. Can't say I recall you specifically. Sorry, must be getting old : ).
Welcome to WB, frog princess! :welcome
TJ aka Teej
05-07-2009, 04:13
According to our records, the youngest solo thru-hiker was "Leap Frog," from Maine. He was 15 when he completed a northbound thru-hike in 1995.
Evidently young AT hikers should have 'frog' in their trail name somewhere!
Analogman
05-07-2009, 05:44
Of course nobody had mentioned Baby Gregg (Smith) who walked the length of the trail in 1990 at just 6 and 1/2 years old.
Most impressive. My seven year old complains when we walk a mile to the park.
How old was Hungry Howie on his hike? He was fairly young as I recall.
He was 17. As was Backdraft and Wholesome. All 3 hiked in 2000.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramble~On http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=776035#post776035)
By solo I'd understand it to mean alone as in without a hiking partner for the duration of the trip.
Hiking as part of a group from time to time is going to happen and if that were the case there'd be room for arguing that no one ever actually hiked the entire trail solo.
what ever
yea really
I'm not the youngest ever, but possibly the youngest solo for 08. I turned 17 on the trail in Vermont last summer.
Hey Pull-up!!! I'd say you were the youngest solo for 08 too...
mweinstone
05-07-2009, 16:15
lemmy tell yalls sumptins abouts dis wakapak chick............................................. ....................her an chaco aint no joke. no joke at all. ahh,............hikka love,.....................its actually quite fesable.
This kid has the potential to get the "record".
http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/story/5099245/
Lemni Skate
05-07-2009, 20:56
My son, Blackspot Pete, is 9.
He would do the whole thing if we had time. He will be doing Maryland and West Virginia section of AT with me in June. He never complains and his favorite food is Raimen Noodles so he's all set.
2005 "Oblivious" hiked with his mother and father, "Anchor & Troll". He was 12 then. he also thru'd the PCT last year. Hats off to thees young guns. I would have loved to hike long distance at a young age.
She was the funny writter. But they are doing the CDT this year. On trail journals again, but only posting about once a week.
GlennFromMaryland
01-04-2010, 23:44
Hello Sunrise,
Yah...I hiked around them mostly in Maine that year. I can still see the big smiles on their faces each time they saw me coming up the Trail. :)
One of the youngest is back out again this year, although I think she's 18 now...and one of the oldest ( I think he was 82 on his last thru hike) is out there. He's 86 years old now and heading for Katahdin...and has more energy than most 20 year olds.
Good luck to both of them!!
I met Cascade and her friends Pogo And Aquq on memorial day 2009..they were having a great time and rollin north..hope they made it!
I leave for the trail the day I turn 18 only three more months
Rick Hancock
02-08-2010, 21:12
I thru-hiked in 1980. I hiked a few times with the Cogswells (sp?) Mother/father and 6 or 7 year old son Michael. There was an article about them in an issue of Backpacker Magazine. Lost track of them in North Carolina and heard they flipflopped to Maine and headed south.
A buddy of mine was hiking a chunk of the trail in 2008? I think, and ran into Michael attempting a second thru-hike. I believe his mom had passed away not sure about the dad.
Rick
Rick Hancock
02-08-2010, 21:15
Sorry, Just went back and read original post. He wasn't solo.
Rick
papa john
02-09-2010, 08:26
There is a guy who works at an outfitter here in Mobile and he hiked SOBO when he was 15. I can't remember the year, but it was a long time ago. Maybe in the 80s? He told me all about it but I suffer from CRS syndrome.
God, I can't imagine doing my thru-hike and not being 21 or older. I've got one long pub crawl waiting for me in 2012 :)
Cookerhiker
02-09-2010, 09:40
As mentioned in previous posts by George and RickB, the Roedale Press 2-volume set of early 2,000 milers includes the accounts of Eric Ryback and Jeff Hancock. Both were 17 when they did their thruhikes in 1969, one NOBO and one SOBO. They were probably the youngest end-to-enders at that point in time when very few attempted such a feat. And back then, there were nowhere near as many service providers. I believe Jeff cached all his food in advance.
twosticks
02-09-2010, 10:18
There is a guy who works at an outfitter here in Mobile and he hiked SOBO when he was 15. I can't remember the year, but it was a long time ago. Maybe in the 80s? He told me all about it but I suffer from CRS syndrome.
I thought that was CRAFT disease.
Cookerhiker
02-09-2010, 10:31
I thought that was CRAFT disease.
No no no - here's the difference:
CRS happens when you get old and start losing it. Per one book I read, it begins when you turn 50.
CRAFT is how you feel the next morning when you've had too much the night before:D
No no no - here's the difference:
CRS happens when you get old and start losing it. Per one book I read, it begins when you turn 50.
CRAFT is how you feel the next morning when you've had too much the night before:D
Uh oh... apparently I turned 50 when I turned 10... I've had CRS for about as long as I can remember. ;)
Smoky in TN
02-10-2010, 17:30
Pigpen did the trail in '99, with his brother and dad.
I think he was 8 years old.
SawnieRobertson
02-10-2010, 17:41
I started 16, turned 17 in Franklin, NC.
There were some others out there this year around 17-18.
Kirby
Kirby for President! He's one level-headed fellow.
Kinnickinic:banana
trailangelbronco
02-12-2010, 02:57
Of course, if a woman was pregnant, the kid would be the youngest, but not at solo.
Jester2000
02-12-2010, 03:16
Kirby didn't solo his trip.
He did, actually, insofar as anyone solos a thru-hike.
By solo I'd understand it to mean alone as in without a hiking partner for the duration of the trip.
Exactly. In this case, I believe "solo" means without a guardian.
I started 16, turned 17 in Franklin, NC.
There were some others out there this year around 17-18.
Kirby
On the other hand, Kirby is, in my opinion, unnaturally mature for his age, and so should be disqualified from the discussion. While these sorts of "records" are hard to pin down, I can say for certain that he is, by far, the youngest unsupervised person to ever show up at a Billville event.
And regardless of age, I would like to put myself forth as the most immature person to ever hike the AT.
Jim Adams
02-13-2010, 01:43
He did, actually, insofar as anyone solos a thru-hike.
Exactly. In this case, I believe "solo" means without a guardian.
And regardless of age, I would like to put myself forth as the most immature person to ever hike the AT.
OK Jester...it's on! What is the most immature thing that you did on your thru?:banana
Let's talk!:D
geek
JustaTouron
02-13-2010, 11:49
Of course, if a woman was pregnant, the kid would be the youngest, but not at solo.
There was a women who thru hiked and was pregnant the entire time. Buy yeah that wouldn't be solo....In fact she wasn't solo either, husband/dad hiked it too.
CrumbSnatcher
02-13-2010, 12:26
my daughter is 2 1/2 years old. if she wants to thruhike someday i'm all for it!
i hope it won't be a solo though. cause dad would love to go with her!
that would be:cool:
How old was the youngest, solo thru-hiker? I ask this because I'm planning to do a solo hike when I'm 18 and I'm curious as to wether or not that's an "extreme" age to do a solo hike...
While everyone is arguing over what is solo, who's the youngest, etc., if you feel you can handle the day-to-day repetiviness, be prepared for whatever comes your way, can think on your feet, and so forth, yeah, it's not too extreme at your age. Just read up on people's experiences and learn from them, trust your gut, and go for it. GL
Lone Wolf
02-14-2010, 18:00
I'm planning to do a solo hike when I'm 18 and I'm curious as to wether or not that's an "extreme" age to do a solo hike...
not extreme whatsoever. it's just walking. joining the Army and getting shipped off to Iraq might be a little extreme
Blissful... you were right on... Kirby did turn 17 on his hike (2008) In Franklin... Ron Haven bought him a Dominos Pizza... I was shuttling for Ron that month (April) and Kirby said he didnt eat cake, haha.. so we put 17 candles on that pizza and sang! He began solo.. I hiked with him a little, Neels-Rock Gap... Im sure he formed a Maine Train somewhere along the way... Ive only hike the AT since '04 but hes the youngest to finish Im aware of.
not extreme whatsoever. it's just walking. joining the Army and getting shipped off to Iraq might be a little extreme
Couldent Agree MORE LONEWOLF!!!
A gentleman I used to work with hiked the AT with his wife back in the 70's. She gave birth soon after. Apparently she was pregnant before they started... their daughter was "carried" the entire way! Oh, and her name Georgia Maine of course.
JustaTouron
02-14-2010, 18:55
A gentleman I used to work with hiked the AT with his wife back in the 70's. She gave birth soon after. Apparently she was pregnant before they started... their daughter was "carried" the entire way! Oh, and her name Georgia Maine of course.
That's the person I read about.... If it was boy they were going to name him Alexander Thomas and call him "A.T."
That's the person I read about.... If it was boy they were going to name him Alexander Thomas and call him "A.T."
They were written about? That is cool. Dick never told me about the potential boy name.
JustaTouron
02-14-2010, 19:23
They were written about? That is cool. Dick never told me about the potential boy name.
Quite a few years ago (in the 80's or maybe early 90s) a read a book on the AT. Each chapter was about a different hiker (or in their case group). Don't have the slightest idea what the title was.
Lone Wolf
02-14-2010, 21:06
Quite a few years ago (in the 80's or maybe early 90s) a read a book on the AT. Each chapter was about a different hiker (or in their case group). Don't have the slightest idea what the title was.
here ya go http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Cp_27%3ALarry%20Luxenberg&field-author=Larry%20Luxenberg&page=1
ShoelessWanderer
05-03-2010, 12:31
18 isn't extreme, go for it!
And really, who actually hikes the AT solo? No one, everyone has someone around them during the hike. Just go enjoy it!