Dale Sanders, a 91-year-old hiker, has completed the Appalachian Trail, reclaiming his title as the oldest person to do so. According to Sanders, he fell 71 times during his hike, with six of those classified as hard falls, including one that required a hospital visit and another just 200 yards from the finish line. Despite these challenges, he completed the 2,193-mile (3,530-kilometer) trail, which runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Sanders began his hike on September 6 in West Virginia and finished on August 31, 2026, at the summit of Maine's highest peak, where he took a moment to pray beside the summit sign.
In a statement, Sanders expressed gratitude to God and his support team for their assistance throughout his journey. He previously set the age record for completing the Appalachian Trail in 2017 at age 82, but lost the record to his friend M.J. Eberhart, who completed the trail at age 83. After losing the record, Sanders announced his intention to reclaim it.
Although he trained for six months prior to this hike, Sanders noted that he was not in peak physical condition. He experienced a significant fall in June while hiking down Killington Mountain, resulting in scrapes but no broken bones. A subsequent health scare involving numbness in his left arm led to a hospital visit, but he was cleared to continue his hike. After briefly returning to Tennessee to support his wife following her mother's death, he was encouraged to continue his trek.
Sanders enjoyed moments along the trail, particularly in Pennsylvania, where he benefited from the support of local volunteers known as 'trail angels.' He gained recognition among fellow hikers and garnered a following on social media, which he found surprising. Meredith Ewenson, who met Sanders during a group hike, remarked on his ability to inspire others and the value of the journey itself.
Born in Kentucky in 1935, Sanders has a history of athletic achievements, including being the oldest person to paddle the entire Mississippi River on his 87th birthday. Throughout his recent hike, he faced various challenges but maintained his energy and enthusiasm.