80-Year-Old Michigan Woman Becomes Oldest to Hike Entire Appalachian Trail

I recently hiked the 3-mile Misery Trail at Smith Rock in Bend, Oregon, and thought I had bragging rights. Then I read about Betty Kellenberger, and she instantly put me in my place.

At 80 years old, the Howell, Michigan native became the oldest woman ever to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Not impressed yet? Let's break it all down. That’s 2,200 miles through 14 states, climbing and descending the equivalent of 16 Mount Everests. Absolutely incredible.

Betty told Wood TV the experience was everything she hoped for and more:

You see incredible parts of our country, things you wouldn’t see otherwise. So much wildlife. It’s just gorgeous.

She’s definitely not new to adventure. Betty spent over 40 years teaching English and social studies in Carson City schools, but when she wasn’t in the classroom, she was out living real-life adventures. We're talking biking across the country and hiking spots like the Canadian Rockies and Peru.

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She never married or had kids, and she says that gave her the freedom to take on something this big.

I don’t have people hovering, saying, we don’t think you should do this.

For six straight months, she hiked almost every single day, averaging about 10 to 15 miles through rain, mud, and mountains. And she did it after having knee replacement surgery. Her strength and determination are nothing short of amazing.

No overplanning, no fancy gear, just pure determination.