Grandma Gatewood

[elkhound]

@Grizzleyette___Adams @Rebecca @Bacpacker @Sourdough and so many more on here.

Grandma Gatewood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Gatewood

Emma Rowena (Caldwell) Gatewood, known as Grandma Gatewood, (October 25, 1887–June 4, 1973),[1] was an American ultra-light hiking pioneer. After a difficult life as a farm wife, mother of eleven children, and victim of domestic violence, she became famous as the first solo female thru-hiker of the 2,168-mile (3,489 km) Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in 1955 at the age of 67.[2][3][4] She subsequently became the first person (male or female) to hike the A.T. three times, after completing a second thru-hike two years later, followed by a section-hike in 1964.[3][4] In the meantime, she hiked 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of the Oregon Trail in 1959.[2][5] In her later years, she continued to travel and hike, and worked on a section of what would become the Buckeye Trail. The media coverage surrounding her feats was credited for generating interest in maintaining the A.T. and in hiking generally.[6] Among many other honors, she was posthumously inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame in 2012

 

[Neb]

@Grizzleyette___Adams @Rebecca @Bacpacker @Sourdough and so many more on here.

Grandma Gatewood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Gatewood

Emma Rowena (Caldwell) Gatewood, known as Grandma Gatewood, (October 25, 1887–June 4, 1973),[1] was an American ultra-light hiking pioneer. After a difficult life as a farm wife, mother of eleven children, and victim of domestic violence, she became famous as the first solo female thru-hiker of the 2,168-mile (3,489 km) Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in 1955 at the age of 67.[2][3][4] She subsequently became the first person (male or female) to hike the A.T. three times, after completing a second thru-hike two years later, followed by a section-hike in 1964.[3][4] In the meantime, she hiked 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of the Oregon Trail in 1959.[2][5] In her later years, she continued to travel and hike, and worked on a section of what would become the Buckeye Trail. The media coverage surrounding her feats was credited for generating interest in maintaining the A.T. and in hiking generally.[6] Among many other honors, she was posthumously inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame in 2012

I have hiked parts of the AT.

The Princess and I have a favorite in and out over night camping trip that made it a real joy to hike. We would start at Seven Springs (ski resort) take the chair lift to the top of the mountain, hike to the camp site. Spent the night hike out and walk down the mountain check into the lodge and top it off with prime rib for dinner.

Ben

 

[elkhound]

i forgot to ad video of young lady honoring gatewood by hiking with the gear gatewood used back in the day.she used what she had and what available back then.theres a lightweight tarp called gatewood named after her.

 

[Bacpacker]

She was quite the lady and quite the hiker. Very inspriing story overall, even if your not a hiker.

I've done sections of the AT and would love to do a thru hike sometime.But not sure that'll ever happen at my age and all the crap going on in the world right now.

 

[Grizzleyette___Adams]

When I grow up, I want to be a Grandma Gatewood!

Thank you @elkhound for keeping my inspirations alive. The video was great, too!



I just put this on my "Must Read" list:

(Amazon.com)

Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail Paperback – Illustrated, April 1, 2016
by Ben Montgomery

 

[elkhound]

to my understanding she used a shower curtain for ground cloth and more.

this sorta brings up an article i read years ago. i think it was by jim zumbo and outdoor journalist. he said people plan to do these great hunts and other outdoor activities. often they say when i get this rifle,pack,boots,boat,truck etc. i am going to go xyz then. but reality of is it they never do it or never get those things and let a dream or a chance pass them by .they miss the doing. he mentioned trucks and how in younger years he had some type of 2 wheel drive station wagon..i think...they just went on and hunted like it was a truck and had so much fun and successes.

i think yall get my point. i like good gear but at times whatever gear you have is more than enough.people underestimate a zebco,an old john boat,30-30,used ragged out truck. its the hunter often over gear. i seen some thru hikers this year tell their monthly expenses on trail and i was shocked really.theres somethng wrong when you spend 1,000's per month hiking a trail.

 

[Alaskajohn]

Cool post! I have never heard of Grandma Gatewood that I can recall. What an inspirational story. I loved that video too. Great footage. A lot of that “gear” what what I recall using as a kid including that “backpack.” I recall my mom making one for me and calling it a hobo pack.

 

[Peanut]

We would start at Seven Springs (ski resort) take the chair lift to the top of the mountain,
Ben

I've never heard of Granny either but have hiked part of the AT long ago. Interesting, I'll look into this.

I've been skiing at Seven Springs... also long ago.

 

[Neb]

I've never heard of Granny either but have hiked part of the AT long ago. Interesting, I'll look into this.

I've been skiing at Seven Springs... also long ago.

The AT crosses the Seven Springs property at the top of the ridge. There were Adirondack shelters about a 7 mile hike.

Ben