Woman Hikes the Appalachian Trail Solo

Filed in archive Hiking on April 19, 2007

Hiking the 2,164-mile Appalachian Trail is no small feat. But, for Leslie Mass it was something she always wanted to do. So, for two years, the recently retired early childhood director trained and conditioned her body for the long hike. Finally, after months of challenges and set-backs, she accomplished her goal.

But, that's not what makes Mass' story unique. Hundreds of people hike the Appalachian Trail every year. What makes it unique is that she accomplished this feat alone and at the age of 60.

"I always had a dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail, but I always put it on the backburner because I was a wife, mother and had a career and a lot of things going on," Mass said. "But then I finally did it."

Now she is sharing her experiences with the world in her book, ""In Beauty May She Walk: Hiking in the Appalachian Trail at 60". The book, she hopes, will encourage and inspire her readers, especially women to go after their own personal goals, no matter what they are.

"I wanted to use the book to tell other women, don't give up on your dream," she said. "Take it off the shelf and dust it off."

Thanks to the Central Ohio for the quoted matter.