Dale Sanders, 91, Hikes 2,190-Mile Appalachian Trail Again to Reclaim Oldest Thru-Hiker Record
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Dale Sanders, 91, Hikes 2,190-Mile Appalachian Trail Again to Reclaim Oldest Thru-Hiker Record
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Summary
Dale Sanders, 91, was about 70% through the Appalachian Trail after restarting the 2,190-mile trek in September to reclaim the oldest thru-hiker record.
New Hampshire’s White Mountains marked one of his toughest stretches, with Sanders setting out for the steep Franconia Ridge under a personal rule: make it a “don’t fall” day.
Extreme weather has added to the challenge; a trail steward turned him back during a heavy storm the previous week, warning he could die if he kept going.
To count as a thru-hike, Sanders must walk the full Georgia-to-Maine trail within 12 months, leaving some of the hardest miles still ahead.