“The “Mature” Hiker’s Guide to Success on a Long Distance Trek”

How would “Ruthless,” in her mid- 60’s, with a specialized diet, back issues and a tendency get fractures and tendonitis, manage to successfully cover the full distance of the Appalachian Trail, and later on, several other long distance trails? Through meticulous planning and preparation.  Logistical planning included: researching the trail and planning an itinerary with comfortable daily mileages.  Months were spent planning and dehydrating all trail foods.  Physical training began half a year in advance and lightweight gear was carefully researched and purchased or sewn by Ruth.  And, once on the trail, when injuries came into play several times, perseverance was called into action. SPOLIER ALERT: This story has a happy ending, but please join us to hear much more about how planning, preparation and perseverance played such key roles in this story, as well as others which followed.

Ruth Morley’s passion is exploring the world by foot, such as the 1500 mile GR5 in Europe, Kilimanjaro, Patagonia, the Appalachian Trail, the Colorado Trail, the Florida National Scenic Trail and Ohio’s Buckeye Trail.  During the past four years, she has done many of these backpacking expeditions completely plant-powered, eating her own homemade, self-dehydrated meals and snacks.  At age 71, she finds that she now recovers much faster than in the past and feels 20 years younger.  Her list of trails she plans on hiking continues to grow.