[REVISION HISTORY]

Dale Sanders Appalachian Trail hiking record

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2026-09-06 10:04 UTC → 2026-09-07 10:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Dale Sanders, a 91-year-old hiker known as ‘Grey Beard’, has reclaimed the record as the oldest person to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Sanders reached the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine on August 31, 2026, after traveling approximately 2,193 miles (3,530 kilometers). Sanders, a resident of Tennessee, began his journey in West Virginia in September 2025. To qualify for a thru-hike under the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s definition, he completed all sections within a 365-day period, which allowed him to take breaks to avoid winter weather. His expedition involved significant physical hardship, including 71 reported falls. Of these, six were described as serious falls that required medical attention. These incidents included a hospitalization in July and a fall near the finish line that caused intense pain in his thigh and knee. Sanders previously held the record in 2017 at age 82, but lost the title to M. J. Eberhart in 2021. By completing this trek, he has successfully reclaimed his status as the oldest person to finish the trail. Reflecting on the grueling journey, Sanders expressed gratitude to his support team and stated, ‘If it hurts, keep going.’

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