91-Year-Old Dale Sanders Becomes Oldest to Complete Appalachian Trail
On August 31, 91-year-old Dale Sanders from Tennessee achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the oldest individual to complete the entire Appalachian Trail, reaching Katahdin in Maine after a grueling 359 days, which included 71 falls and a short hospitalization. Previously, in 2017, he set the record at age 82, only to have it surpassed in 2021 by his friend M.J. Eberhart, who assisted Sanders during this recent endeavor with a camper van. Beginning his journey on September 6, 2025, from Harpers Ferry, he hiked south to Georgia, took a winter break, and then continued north to Katahdin, averaging 12 miles daily. Despite facing challenges like a pinched nerve and personal loss, Sanders completed the hike. Born in 1935, he has a notable athletic background and encourages seniors to stay active.
Key facts
- Dale Sanders, 91, completed the Appalachian Trail on August 31, becoming the oldest person to do so.
- He summited Katahdin, Maine's highest mountain, the northern terminus of the 2,190-mile trail.
- His trek took 359 days, with 71 falls and one hospitalization.
- Sanders previously held the record in 2017 at age 82.
- M.J. Eberhart, 83, broke Sanders' record in 2021.
- Eberhart supported Sanders' recent attempt, volunteering with a camper van.
- Sanders started on September 6, 2025, from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, hiking south to Georgia first.
- He averaged 12 miles per day with one rest day weekly.
- In August, he was hospitalized with a pinched nerve but resumed after his wife encouraged him.
- Sanders also holds records for the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim and paddling the Mississippi River.
- Born in Kentucky in 1935, he was inspired by the Guinness Book of Records.
- His advice: 'Get plenty of exercise' and 'it's OK to eat donuts if you also exercise.'
Entities
Artists
- Dale Sanders
- M.J. Eberhart
Institutions
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- Associated Press
- New York Times
- Memphis magazine
- Trek
Locations
- Katahdin
- Maine
- Harpers Ferry
- West Virginia
- Springer Mountain
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Grand Canyon
- Mississippi River