The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) is a hiker's place on Mount Everest. The 2,181-mile trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, and more than 15,000 people have notified Appalachian Trail Conservation that they have completed the epic trek. Some people walk the AT in stages over a multi-year period, while those known as full hikers try to walk the entire distance in one season, which takes five to seven months. AT is the world's most famous long-distance trek, but many of its hikers are also famous – some for their hiking feats, others for their inspiring stories of courage and achievement. Let's take a look at some of the most famous hikers.
Earl Schaeffer
Earl Schaefer was the first person to walk the AT on consecutive foot, a feat deemed impossible by the Appalachian Trail Conference. After serving during World War II, Schaefer said he wanted to "get out of the army," so he began his hike on April 4, 1948, at Oglethorpe Mountain in Georgia. There was no hiking guide, so Schaefer set off with only a map and compass. Walking an average of 16.5 miles a day, he reached Katadin Hill after 124 days.
The moment was bittersweet for Schaefer, who wrote, "I almost wish the trail really had no end and no one could walk its length." In 1965, Schaefer set foot on the trail again—this time from Maine and hiked to Georgia—making him the first person to complete a two-way crossing. In 1998, at the age of 79, he again walked all of Atlanta. There are also older crossers: the current record is held by Lee Barry, who completed his fifth crossing in 2004 at the age of 81.
Mike Hansen
On March 6, 2010, 45-year-old Mike Hansen began hiking the Appalachian Trail, and seven months later he completed more than 2,000 miles of trekking. What makes his hike so special? He was completely blind. Hansen has spent years testing a special GPS receiver that can guide him to campsites, water sources and other locations. He chose to hike at AT to demonstrate the value of adaptive technology, as well as "the ability and independence of the visually impaired."
Hansen said the hardest part of his journey was crossing the mile-long boulder field across the Maine border.
Grandma Gatewood
When Emma Gatewood began hiking the Appalachian Trail, no women — only five men — had completed the full hike. In 1955, the 67-year-old grandmother completed a hike and earned herself the nickname "Grandma Gatewood." After completing this epic journey, she told Sports Illustrated, "If I had known how tough it was, I would never have started this journey, but I could not and would not give up." ”
Gatewood was also a pioneer in ultralight hiking — she hiked in Keds sneakers and often carried only a military blanket, a raincoat and a plastic shower curtain that she used as a bag.
"Grandma Gatewood" completed her last sectional hike by taking two more ATs in 1960 and 1963. She was the first person to cross the trail three times on foot and the oldest woman to cross the trail in 2007 at the age of 71 before Nancy Gawler accomplished the feat.
Bill Bryson
The image of the average AT hiker may be the young, healthy type of outdoor exercise, but travel writer Bill Bryson, who and childhood friend Stephen Katz began hiking at AT in 1998. Bryson wrote that he hoped the path would allow him to recover after years of "hobbling." Although he is only about 45 years old, he claims that his "body is much older than before".
Scott Rogers
In 2004, Scott Rogers, 35, became the first above-knee amputee to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Rogers lost his left leg when he accidentally shot himself in 1998, but he said the accident made him stronger. He now walks with the C-leg, a hydraulically driven prosthesis and foot controlled by a microprocessor that monitors his movements to create a steady gait. He said his children inspired him to achieve his dream of hiking, and when he met Lane Miliken, he was even more motivated. Ryan Milliken, a 9-year-old amputee, read about Rogers' journey.
Despite his challenging journey — there were times when he had to rely on crutches — Rogers is proud of his accomplishments. What advice does he give hikers? "Don't care too much about how many miles you walk in a day. Focus more on smiling. ”
Kevin Gallagher
Want to hike the Appalachian Trail but don't want to spend five months on it? Thanks to hiker and photographer Kevin Gallagher, you can experience the trail in all its glory in minutes. In 2005, Gallagher spent 6 months traveling from Georgia to Maine, stopping every 24 hours to take photos of the trip. At the end of the six-month trek, he already had 4,000 photographs, which he strung together to create a stop-motion film.
Dam Boise
Once a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, known for his choreography. In 1999, at the age of 65, Dampoise began hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the National Dance Academy he founded.
The project was named "Step by Step," and during his seven-month hike, Damboyis shared his "trekking dance" with everyone he met along the way, a short brisk dance he created for the hike. In return, he asked the dancers to teach his dance steps to two others so that his dance could continue to inspire.
Andrew Thompson
Many men and women have tried to be the fastest AT crossers, but the current record is held by Andrew Thompson, who completed the road in just 47 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes in 2005. Thompson, a veteran hiker, tried three times to break the previous record, averaging more than 45 miles per day. In his successful runs, he started in Maine, first through the most difficult terrain, and by the time he ran through all 14 states, he had lost more than 35 pounds.
Justice William Douglas
William O. Douglas, a former Supreme Court justice who describes himself as an outdoor enthusiast, has trekked across Indiana, and he even has a cross trail in New Jersey, the Douglas Trail, named after him. Douglas's love of the environment is often reflected in his judicial reasoning, and he even served on the board of the Sierra Club and wrote extensively about his love of nature.
In a 1959 issue of Life magazine, he wrote, "Hiking is not the only way to relax. Painting, gardening, tennis, violin, these are all means to the same end. But for me, hiking was the best. ”