Any hiking grandmas out there?

[DebDay]

HI! I'm new to this site and LOVE the Female forums!!! ......

I am new to hiking only doing day hikes locally but am seriously considering a thru hike (northbound). My family thinks I'm nuts because ...

1. I am a woman and its not 'safe' to hike distances alone
2. I'm a GRANDMA and...
3...I'm a GRANDMA .....LOL!

Any other grandma hikers out there? Do you hike alone and how do you deal with family objections?

THANKS!

[fancyfeet]

Deb, it happens all the time (hiking grandmas). If you have a chance, look up "Grandma Gatewood". She was the first female AT thruhiker at age 67. And she didn't stop there. See pic below.

I'm not a grandma, but I hike long distances alone. I haven't had any significant problems. BTW, nearly all thruhiker's families think they're nuts...

[DebDay]

FancyFeet...Thanks for the reply....I am tackling hiking at all as a 'late bloomer' to the outdoors. Family obligations presently keeping me close to home as a primary caregiver to my 96 year old grandma but whenever a thru hike discussion comes along my family rolls their eyes and says 'no way...you'd be nuts'! Well...they should know by now I am...LOL. One day I'll simply leave a 'hiking Georgia to Maine note and send post cards! I've read about Grandma Gatewood and even shared her story with family. My daughter says if I 'runaway' she'll know where to start looking!....Thanks again for the welcome!

[Pokey2006]

I'm not a grandma, either, but...I will add my 2 cents as a woman. We gals do get questioned a lot more, we get the rolled eyes, the "you're nuts," the questions about our safety. But when you're a grandma, you have a lot more ammunition in answering these questions. You've given of yourself, you've raised your children. You've probably supported your husband over the years, spent time caring for your grandchildren. You're allowed to do something for yourself! There are worse hobbies you could have. Just remember that you deserve something to call your own, especially at this point in your life. The more sure you become of that, the more your family will see your dedication, and see the positive changes in you. Eventually they'll come around and hopefully will become your biggest cheerleaders. Even if you don't thru-hike, this new love of the outdoors will likely bring only good things into your life.

[DebDay]

HI POKEY!

Thanks for the encouragement! My daughter is 'somewhat' supportive. She is a-ok with my day hikes and even a weekend but longer gets concerned. She'll come around . As long as my 96 year old grandma is here a thru hike isn't in my IMMEDIATE plans but it is still on the 'to do' list! Thanks for making me feel welcome here I'm enjoying looking around and for sure will have other things to comment on! Be blessed!

[River Runner]

I'm a grandma. I mainly hike with a partner or a group, but did one solo over night, and a couple of day hike sections solo.

Sometimes I think I'd love to thru hike, but it probably isn't an option, being self-employed it would be very hard on business to be gone that long. Also, it would be really hard to leave the grandkids that long, so at least for now I am section hiking.

Who knows - by the time my oldest is 18 or so, maybe we'll thru together!

[DebDay]

HI RiverRunner -

Leaving the grandbabies would be the hardest part of doing a thru hike so I'm making plans on section hiking it as I am able, right now can only get a 'relief sitter' for here with my 96 year old grandma for a few days at a time but any time on the trails is GREAT! Thanks for stopping by!

[Bluebelle]

Yes....we grandma's are represented on the trail. You bet....it does take some time to convince your family that you aren't completely crazy but eventually they begin to learn about hiking and the AT and realize that is quite an endeavor. It does sound like you are quite busy with family obligations right now....I would suggest when you have time available to hike as often and as far as you can. Gain all the knowledge, experience, and skills to enable you when you do have time for a long distance hike.....there will be time.....hang in there.....keep going for that dream!

[Marta]

I'm not a Grandma, but that's not because I'm too young to be one.

My motto: For youth and strength we substitute age and guile.

It works.

Good luck! And I second the suggestion to spend as much time as possible between now and then hiking and backpacking on shorter trips. Build you skill and confidence.

[CherrypieScout]

I'm a proud grandma! I always solo hike, but on the AT you are truly never alone.

[Blissful]

Welcome, Debday! White Blaze is a good place to find out about long distance hiking. Lots of info.

[Red Hat]

Welcome Debday! I am a hiking Grandmom, with 6 grandchildren to date, and one on the way next month. My older grandkids talk about hiking with me someday. The furthest we've gone so far is about one mile and they whined..... of course there were a few mosquitoes...

[Hitch]

My grandchildren call me Gramdma Hitch sometimes. I've been section hiking since 2005 and have done at least 770 miles of the 1875 miles I've done solo. I prefer hiking solo and hope to finish next year without partners.

[cowboy nichols]

Welcome Debday Hiking keeps you young. I'm a Grandma, a Great Grandma , and soon to be Great-Great grandma. The family is some for ,some why and how soon is the old woman going, I hike with my dog. Once started the A T with a son , he didn't last to long. I'm still planing on a thru.hike. Got to Harpers once. This trip will be my 3rd try. I generly prefer less used trails but got to finish the A T .

[Frau]

I am not a grandma either, but not because of age. I certainly don't encourage my single, 27 y.o. son to make me a grandma, either. My sweetheart, Nessmuk, and I backpack and day hike together. When he is busy, I day hike alone, as I did this past weekend.

Frau

[hikernutt]

Hi Deb,

I am a proud Grandma of a 4 year grandson, a 18 month old grandson and a new one on the way. I attempted a thru-hike last year (some of which was a solo) did the Smokies with the wonderful Mrs. Blissful, great lady to hike with. I am not to far from where you are if you would like to go for a day and maybe an overnighter. Leaving the grandkids are hard, but when you are on the trail and call home and hear how excited they are for you to keep going, that makes it all worth it. Anyway send me an email some time. Read my journal on trailjournals.com hikernutt

[hikernutt]

We are having a get together at Hikernutt's and you are welcomed to come.
Look under get togethers on the forum page.

[BumpJumper]

I'm a grandma....and my granddaughter hikes with me. She loves it.

[MoBill122]

I met a GrandMa today hiking with her son, on the AT heading up Blood Mtn on the way the Neels. Didn't get her name... but she had a fully loaded huge pack on her back. Had to have been in her 70's.... if not her 80's ! Go GrandMa Go !

[trekkngirl]

Welcome DebDay..I am a grandma x 3..I have been backpacking solo for awhile now and love it.Plan to thru in 2009..Good luck and don't loose that dream.