At 67, Emma Gatewood (1888-1973) became the first solo female thru-hiker of the
At 67, Emma Gatewood (1888-1973) became the first solo female thru-hiker of the 2168-mile Appalachian Trail. At 5’2″, she was also an unwitting pioneer of extreme ultra-light hiking, wearing Keds sneakers, carrying an army blanket, a raincoat, a plastic shower curtain for shelter, a cup, a first aid kit & one change of clothes slung in a homemade bag over her shoulder. She gathered wild foods on the trail, supplementing them with dried beef, cheese, nuts & sausages bought in towns along the way.
