DDG: Michigan Woman Becomes Oldest To Hike Appalachian Trail At 80

An 80-year-old Michigan woman recently became the oldest woman to hike the entire 22-hundred-mile Appalachian Trail. Betty Kellenberger of Carson City had long dreamed of completing the trail that runs from Georgia to Maine and started her journey in 2024 after recovering from knee replacement surgery. She enjoyed the wildlife, scenery, and the chance to see parts of the country she’d never experienced before.

Kellenberger previously worked for more than 40 years as a teacher in Carson City schools and spent much of her life hiking and cycling long distances. During her AT hike, she faced dehydration, a concussion, and Lyme disease, and had to pause the trek due to Hurricane Helene, but resumed in the spring, completing the trail a few weeks ago.

She says she didn’t set out to break a record but learned during her hike that she was on track to become the oldest woman to hike the entire trail. Now resting back home, Kellenberger describes finishing the journey as emotional and says she’ll miss the peace and serenity of the trail. In the best shape of her life after her epic hike, she’s already making plans to hike in Iceland and is considering taking on the 48-hundred-mile North Country Trail next.

Source: NEWS NATION NOW