Veteran hiker Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, now 91, has finished the Appalachian Trail for a second time, reclaiming the title of the oldest person to thru‑hike the 2,193‑mile route that stretches from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine.
Local support and faith guide the journey
Sanders began his latest trek on September 6 in West Virginia, pausing at various points before reaching the summit of Katahdin on Monday. At the peak he paused to pray at the summit sign, saying, “I had to thank God, and I had to thank my support team and everybody that got me here.”
Falls, injuries and perseverance
By his own count, Sanders fell 71 times on the trail, including six hard falls that led to a brief hospitalization and a near‑miss just 200 yards from the finish. In June he slipped in a boulder field on Killington Mountain in Vermont, scraping his arms, legs and hands. Later, a pinched nerve in his left arm sent him to a Maine hospital, where doctors initially feared a stroke. Though he considered giving up, his wife’s encouragement in Tennessee helped him press on.
Community encouragement along the trail
Sanders praised the kindness of “trail angels” who delivered treats such as caramel frappés, noting that “when people are taking care of you… the rocks don’t matter.” Fellow hikers and volunteers, including Meredith Ewenson, a leader of a women’s hike in New Hampshire, described Sanders as a living example that “anything is possible” and that the journey matters most.
Record‑breaking background
Sanders first set the Appalachian Trail record in 2017 at age 82. Four years later, 83‑year‑old M.J. Eberhart briefly claimed the title before Sanders announced his comeback plan. He also holds other senior‑athlete records, including the oldest person to paddle the entire length of the Mississippi River, a feat he completed in 87 days beginning on his 87th birthday.
Looking ahead
While Sanders admits he is not in peak physical condition, he remains determined. “I am 91, so I’m blazing new ground hiking long distances like this,” he said. His mission now extends beyond the record; he hopes his perseverance inspires others, especially older adults, to stay active and trust in God’s guidance.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
