Grandma Gatewood - The Original Lightweight Hiker

Grandma Gatewood’s name has been used as a regular reference point when anyone talks about ‘lightweight’ hiking or backpacking for the last 60 years or more. She has gone down in history as an iconic figure and her name is still used to sell products made today.
In 1955 at the age of 67 she set off on the Appalachian Trail carrying everything she needed in a 15lb over the shoulder bag, hiking in simple 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.
On Wednesday I’ll be talking with author Ben Montgomery who discovered that Grandma Gatewood was his Mother’s Great Aunt. We discuss previously unearthed stories about this amazing woman, her diaries, her gritty life and what led her to set off on the trail in the first place all of which can be found in his fascinating biography - Grandma Gatewoods Walk.
What was her life like in those times? Was hiking and camping viewed as it is today? Was she a hiking enthusiast? How did she find her way? Did she experience the same reactions from townships that hikers do to this day?
See you Wednesday at 7pm UK time it’s going to be a good one.

[@Lmnop-mc3vi]

I recently read Ben Montgomery’s smashing book, “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk,” which I shared with my son-in-law, a hiker, who later found this documentary. We’re both in inspired by and in love with Grandma Gatewood. Thank you!

[@TheOutdoorsStation]

We need stories like this to remind us how it all started.

[@larisal1500]

just started reading this book which is well written & full of fascinating info about this incredible woman. Too many women are abused by men & back then you didn't discuss it with anyone. You just endured. So sad but she shows how resilient she was despite her experience.

[@cedarrockcabin3633]

Good evening! After finishing Ben Montgomery's book of Emma Gayeway I just discovered this video today. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is 11:25pm, but I absolutely intend to investigate your chanel further. I am a 60yo and recent 2 time ovarian cancer survivor and and working on regaining my strength. I live very close to the AT in North Carolina. We recently hiked a very tiny sliver of the AT. Emma Gatewood's story has inspired me to expand my horizons. I have no I intention of hiking the AT in it's entirely. But I hope to, at the very least, work my way up to be able to do day hikes.

[@TheOutdoorsStation]

Check out the website too as there’s over 500 podcasts to listen to as well. Thanks

[@christinabroadhead3810]

How wonderful. Dixie aka Homemade Wanderlust brought me to research this woman. I live in north west BC. I'm moved to tears to learn about this amazing woman. Interesting that her spouse died so young. Glad she got away and has this legacy and great children.

[@TheOutdoorsStation]

I heard about her 20 years ago and time is slowly erasing her from the outdoors world as new ‘influencers’ take the place of true gritty outdoors people who went before and did things the hard way. I hope we put across just how tough life was in those days and how her generation ‘just got on with it’.

[@taracat7141]

I too looked up this video thanx to Dixie 💚🇦🇺

[@RasDoesBushcraftBackcountry]

i heard about her years ago when i was a kid which was ages ago here in good ol Aotearoa. Very influential woman who shaped an idea for walkers worldwide. Cheers Bob for this

[@craigshuman2767]

picked this book up at a visitors center in the Smokey Mountains. What a remarkable lady. I feel like her personality would have been very much like my Great Grandmother's. Emma Gatewood is definitely an inspiration.

[@mikelisacarb]

Hi! From Bethlehem, CT USA!

[@curvesholladay1207]

A lovely evening’s entertainment. Great bit of unknown history to me. Thanks for your time!

[@TheOutdoorsStation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

She is an inspiration to so many. 🌻🌻

[@geateti6311]

at 67yo in 1955 she walked all the oregon trail 3218km and the appalachian trail 3500km she also had 11 children before that

[@zorazorazorzzora8333]

New Sub. I so enjoyed this interview.. I read about her years ago when I used to wander around Harpers Ferry WV… reading about the AT

[@sarahcomstock1141]

Thanks, Bob and Ben, for bringing Grandma Gatewood's story to such a large audience. Just want to let your audience know that there's an Emmy-nominated documentary, TRAIL MAGIC: THE GRANDMA GATEWOOD STORY. Information is available at edenvalleyenterprises.org/progdesc/gatewood/gtwdinf.htm Thanks, again, for sharing and happy hiking!

[@heatheresteubing-fisher9729]

Hey Ben - your mobile device has volume control and an off button 😂

[@dianev100]

"Her own father fought in the Revolutionary war". Help me understand this if she was born in the 1880's Her Dad would have been 100 years old when she was conceived. I'm not trying to be smart just trying to understand. Please fact check that. On further thought I think the author meant to say the Civil War.

[@sivadmg]

so, she wasn't really roughing it (albeit, she was 67)

[@TheOutdoorsStation]

I think if you were around in the 50's you might think is was slightly more hard core than current day with all our hiking luxuries we take for granted lol.

[@LionessHiker]

She carried a blanket and a bag; then stuffed the bag with leaves for a mattress. I would have knocked on someone's door if it were raining and I didn't have a tent!

[@sivadmg]

@@LionessHiker yeah, but that wasn't always her situation.

[@roseblackmore2225]

@@sivadmg 😂😂😂bet you find it hard to walk 1 block

[@sivadmg]

@@roseblackmore2225 really? ok, then