91-year-old hiker Dale Sanders reclaims title as oldest Appalachian Trail thru-hiker

Beginning on Sept. 6 in West Virginia, 91-year-old Dale Sanders set out on a thru-hike of the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, logging 71 falls, six of which required a short hospitalization and one that occurred just 200 yards from the summit. Despite health setbacks such as a tumble in a Vermont boulder field and a pinched nerve that mimicked a stroke, he continued, spurred by his wife and trail supporters. He reached the peak of Mount Katahdin in Maine, pausing to pray and express gratitude to his support team.

This achievement restores his 2017 record as the oldest hiker, a title that had been held by his friend M.J. Eberhart since 2021. Along the route, fellow hikers and “trail angels” provided refreshments, and his journey attracted a large social-media following. Meredith Ewenson, who encountered him during a group hike, noted his remarkable mobility and the inspiration his trek provided to others.