Grandwood Gatewood - America's Most Famous Hiking Tourist

The longest hiking trail in the world lies in the eastern United States. It stretches for 3.5 thousand kilometers from Mount Katadin to Mount Springer and passes through 14 states. The route, called the Appalachian Trail, is very famous and striking not only for its length, but also for its complexity. The idea of ​​creating a trail came up with an American architect by the name of Mackay in 1921. However, its marking was fully completed only in the 48th. Then there was the first one who wanted to overcome it - Earl Schaffer. The man went the route to the end, spending as much as six months on it! However, our story today is not about him. She is about Emma Gatewood, who went to conquer the Appalachian trail at the age of 67, taking along her favorite shoes of the Keds brand, a raincoat, shower curtain, first-aid kit and army blanket, and all her provisions consisted of nuts, cheese and sun-dried meat.

A woman was born in Ohio and married a local farmer. But the marriage was unsuccessful, because her husband beat her hard, repeatedly broke bones and knocked out teeth. In those days, divorces were not welcomed, so Emma had no choice but to endure. Often, in order not to endure her husband’s bullying, she fled to the forest and stayed there for some time, enjoying silence and loneliness. In the end, her patience still came to an end and she decided to divorce. During her life, she gave birth to 11 children, who eventually gave her 24 grandchildren, and those, in turn, 30 great-grandchildren.

Upon retirement, she began to read out National Geographic magazines and it was in one of them that she read an article about the great Appalachian trail, which men walked with difficulty, and a woman is probably not able to do this at all. Then Grandmother Gatewood had an irresistible desire to conquer such a terrible route. And five years later, she nevertheless decided. Having told everyone that she was going for a walk, a woman aged 67 began her great journey.

She didn’t have a compass, tent or sleeping bag, and her food supplies quickly ran out. However, in the forest, she picked berries and herbs, and people who lived near the hiking trail fed her every now and then and even sometimes gave shelter. In most cases, the grandmother had to spend the night in abandoned buildings, on picnic tables, and even completely on moss-covered land. And when it was too cold at night, she made a fire and slept on warmed stones. Rumors quickly spread about the incredible tourist, journalists found out about her, and, without expecting it, she turned into a real hero of America and a big celebrity, whom everyone fondly called Granny Gatewood.

It took her 142 days to complete the journey, but despite all the difficulties, her love of hiking only got stronger in her heart. She just could not stay at home. Then after 5 years, she decided to go through the Appalachian trail again, and then again. Emma Gatewood was the only one who went through her as many as three times!