This is a part one of a two part interview with the author of Grandma Gatewood’s Walk. The book is a New York Times best seller and writer Ben Montgomery was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2010.
We all know the basic story, that in 1955 67 year old Grandma Gatewood set off on a remarkable journey, to accidentally become the first woman to walk the entire 2050 miles in 145 days of the Appalachian Trail.
Today her name is iconic within the lightweight backpacking community, as she carried only 15 pounds of supplies and a tiny amount of food in a simple knapsack, hiking in sneakers, sleeping under a shower curtain and living off the land.
Not only that, she did again 2 years later, followed by the Oregon Trail then aged 71.
This audio is an extract from the video live stream (which can be found on YouTube) I broadcast recently with the author Ben Montgomery who found that Grandma Gatewood was his Mother’s Great Aunt.
In it you’ll hear previously unearthed stories about this amazing woman, her diaries, her gritty life and what led her to set off on the trail all of which can be found in his fascinating biography - Grandma Gatewood's Walk.
Part one covers her younger history, the life and times she lived through in the early 1950’s, the abuse she suffered for 30 years and her discovery of the Appalachian Trail, before setting foot in it initially in 1954.
Part two concludes with a few stories from the trail, her subsequent fame and celebrity status and how she became the iconic ambassador for walking with her name and legacy living on.
No 577 - Row, Rest, Repeat: Zara’s Atlantic Survival Plan
No 576 - Feral and Fearless: Katy Parrott’s Wild Ride Through Adventure and Art
No 575 - Take Less Do More Outdoors
No 574 - From Tsunami Survivor to Outdoor Explorer
No 573 - Practical Hacks and Eco-Friendly Gear for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Pt5
No 572 - Transform Your Adventures with Sustainable Gear - Pt4
No 571 - Green Adventures Await with Cutting-Edge Gear - Pt3
No 570 - Innovative Outdoor Gear for the Eco-Conscious Explorer - Pt2
No 569 - Gear Up Sustainably for Your Next Outdoor Journey - Pt1
No 568 - Sleeping Under the Stars in a Bivvy and Finding Connection
No 567 - The End of an Era - Closing The Store
No 566 - Nikki Love - Running Across Australia - Pt2
No 565 - Nikki Love - Running Across Australia - Pt1
No 564 - National Outdoor Expo - Review and Promo Codes
No 563 - The National Outdoor Expo - Preview
No 562 - Her Odyssey (Completed) Pt 3
No 561 - The Perfect Trail Shoe
No 560 - Outdoor Gear Coach
No 559 - Comparing Modern Outdoor Gear to the 17th Century
No 558 - Packrafting in Sweden - The River Kaitum
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