Dale Sanders: The Determined Hiker Defying Age on the Appalachian Trail
MILLINOCKET, Maine (AP) — Every year, more than 14 million older adults in the U.S. experience falls, but few as frequently as Dale Sanders, at 91 years old. Throughout reclaiming his title as the oldest hiker to finish the Appalachian Trail, Sanders recorded 71 falls. He classified six as hard falls, with one necessitating brief hospitalization and another occurring a mere 200 yards from the end. Despite these challenges, Sanders persevered on the 2,193-mile trail stretching from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy considers a thru-hike as completing all sections of the trail in any order within a year, allowing pauses. Sanders embarked on his journey on September 6 in West Virginia, made stops, and concluded his hike on Monday atop Maine’s highest peak. At the summit sign, he paused for a moment of prayer, expressing gratitude to both God and his support team.
“I had to thank God, and I had to thank my support team and everybody that got me here,” Sanders remarked.
The Journey to Reclaim the Record
With the trail name Grey Beard, Sanders initially set the Appalachian Trail record in 2017 at age 82. His friend, M.J. Eberhart, known as Nimblewill Nomad, surpassed him four years later at age 83. Sanders soon announced his plans to reclaim the title, but this endeavor proved more challenging than expected.
Despite six months of preparation, Sanders admitted he wasn’t in optimal condition upon his return to the trail.
“And even today, I feel that I should probably be in better shape than I am,” Sanders confessed. “But I just have to always go back and say, ‘But I am 91, so I’m blazing new ground hiking long distances like this.’”
In June, Sanders fell in a boulder field while descending Killington Mountain in Vermont, scraping his body but avoiding serious injury. He continued hiking, bloodied but undeterred. Weeks later, a numb left arm led him to a Maine hospital. Initially feared to be a stroke, it was diagnosed as a pinched nerve. Following medical clearance to resume hiking, Sanders considered quitting but ultimately pressed on.
Support and Motivation
Sanders encountered favorable conditions in Pennsylvania, benefiting from well-maintained trails and treats from trail angels.
“When people are taking care of you and bringing you caramel frappes on the trail, the rocks don’t matter,” he noted.
Amidst his journey, Sanders gained recognition among fellow hikers and significant social media attention, which inspired him.
“I wanna get it back, but right now, that’s secondary,” Sanders shared. “Right now, what’s the most important thing – and it’s one of the things that surprised me – is that people are motivated and given encouragement by my efforts.”
Impact and Recognition
Meredith Ewenson, who encountered Sanders during a New Hampshire hike in June, highlighted the significance of his endeavor.
“Seeing it in real life is something that I’ll definitely remember forever,” Ewenson expressed.
Her group recognized Sanders by the “Grey Beard” logo on his T-shirt and celebrated with him at an Appalachian Mountain Club hut. The following day, his “victory dance” drew cheers.
“My first thought was ‘Wow, his mobility is insane,’” Ewenson stated. “His face on that body just doesn’t make any sense. My brain couldn’t compute how he was so impossibly fit for being that age.”
Other Adventures and Records
Born in Kentucky in 1935, Sanders faced bullying as a child due to his size, but he found strength in solo sports. After serving in the Navy and retiring in 2002, he accumulated numerous age-related records.
One remarkable achievement was paddling the entire Mississippi River at age 87, starting on his birthday. During his Appalachian Trail adventure, Sanders faced obstacles such as downed trees and steep climbs, yet he approached each challenge with vigor.
Toward the end of a 12-mile day, feeling fatigued, he briefly napped on the trail and resumed hiking.
Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. A free press supports democracy through trusted journalism and civil dialogue.