76-Year-Old Is On Her Way To Becoming Oldest Woman To Hike Appalachian Trail

A Florida woman has made it her mission to complete the Appalachian Trail by March 29th, a day before her 77th birthday.

If she completes it, she will become the oldest woman to hike the Appalachian Trail, and she’s well on her way.

76-year-old Pamela Clark had never backpacked before, so she recently trained with a local group in order to prepare for her hike.

The trail extends nearly 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through 14 states. It’s said to be the longest hiking-only trail in the world.

Once she felt ready, Clark began her hike in Maine, but unfortunately it was put on hold when she got an elbow infection.

She did not let this stop her from achieving her birthday wish, so she started her hike again in Maryland, making her way up to the Lehigh Valley section.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail is no easy feat, especially at 76 years old, but Clark is determined to complete her goal in time.

“The trail is like a marriage, at the beginning you think it’s going to be really rosy. It doesn’t always go down the path, but you do it anyway,” Clark told 69News.

Clark says her secret to staying young at heart is in your DNA and your determination.

Hear more about her inspiring journey and her goal to become the oldest woman to hike the Appalachian Trail in the video below: