Episode Six: The Trailblazing Grandma Gatewood
Candy reflects on how few older women she sees thru-hiking the AT, and we dive into the history of Appalachian Trail thru-hikes. This history begins with Grandma Gatewood, the woman who popularized the concept of a thru-hike in the 1950s.
This episode’s guests:
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Ben Montgomery
Author of “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail”
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David Donaldson
Author of “A Grip on the Mane of Life: An Authorized Biography of Earl V. Shaffer”
Featured in this episode:
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Emma "Grandma" Gatewood
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Earl V. Shaffer
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David Donaldson and Earl Shaffer on their 1998 AT thru-hike
Learn More:
Grab a copy of “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk” by Ben Montgomery
Follow Ben Montgomery on Instagram: instagram.com/ben_writes
Watch the documentary about Grandma Gatewood: grandmagatewood.com
Read “A Grip on the Mane of Life” by David Donaldson
Check out the Earl Shaffer Foundation to learn more about Earl’s legacy: earlshaffer.com
Birdman poses for a photo with Birthday Girl, who attempted a thru-hike at age 76.
Chili Pepper Woman scrambling across one of Pennsylvania's many boulder fields.
The path of the AT goes under this overpass in PA.
Hiker-made sign indicating the milage left for Northbound thru-hikers to reach Katahdin.
Another very rocky section of the AT.
Chili Pepper Woman poses at the PA/NJ border!
Episode Credits:
Produced by: The Wild Lens Collective in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio
With Support from: Big Agnes
Producers: Matthew Podolsky, Taylor Quimby
Promotion/Social Media: Hannah Mulvany
Music by: Blue Dot Sessions
