An octogenarian claiming to be the oldest woman to “thru-hike” the Appalachian Trail sorta kinda didn’t.
Like, nothing against being old and fit as a fiddle. No arguments there.
But the nationwide legacy-media hype over Betty Kellenberger’s 2,200 mile walk is a little over the “top.”
For one thing, 80-year-old Betty took three years to “complete” the trail, a feat traditionally called a “thru-hike.”
But the customary measure of a thru-hike is doing it in one year, not three.
A thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail is someone who hikes the entire 2,200-mile length of the trail in a single, continuous journey, typically within a 12-month period.
Then there’s the plane that Betty hopped part way through her hike to take her to Katahdin in Maine, known as the trail’s highest point.
Betty first hiked north from Springer Mountain in Georgia through the southern half of the trail. She made it to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, before flying to Maine to continue southbound.
Now come on folks, you either hike or you don’t, all due respect to Betty.
Even if she flew coach, that ain’t hiking. Call it multi-variant trekking maybe.
Nonetheless the media has decided to dub her “Betty the Legend,” claiming her she “completed” the 2,200-mile journey Sept. 12.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, whose job it is to promote hiking and all the attendant publicity, says it takes nothing from Betty. The conservancy wants to give Betty her due.
Kellenberger’s feat compares with those of some antecedents:
Emma “Grandma” Gatewood was the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian – and she did it in one season.
Gatewood completed the feat in 1955 at the age of 67, wearing Keds sneakers and carrying minimal gear.
The fastest time for anyone ever completing the trail goes to Tara Dower, who did it last year – in 40 days, 18 hours, 6 minutes.
(And BTW she didn’t take a plane.)
Dower, 32, an ultra-marathoner, goes by the nickname “Candy Mama.”
