The Record Is Impressive. The Friendship Is Better.
Dale “Greybeard” Sanders completed the Appalachian Trail in 2017 at age 82, becoming the oldest person to do it.
Then his friend, M.J. “Nimblewill Nomad” Eberhart, completed the trail at 83 and took the record. Greybeard did not resent him for it. He was there to congratulate his friend and present him with a walking stick.
Now Greybeard is back on the Appalachian Trail, attempting to reclaim the record in his 90s—and Nimblewill Nomad is cheering him on.
I think the friendship may be even more interesting than the record.
They are competitive, but neither man seems to need the other to fail in order to feel successful. One breaks the record, the other celebrates him, and then they start joking about who will take it next.
Most of us will never attempt a 2,000-mile hike in our 80s or 90s. But there is something refreshing about two friends who can challenge each other, celebrate each other, and still pursue their own goals.
Greybeard’s current journey is still underway. I’ll be following along.
Learn more and follow his progress:
https://www.greybeardadventurer.com/