Ready for adventure: Woman will hike Appalachian Trail this spring

Published 1:00 am Friday, February 10, 2017

By Jennifer Shrader

Jennifer.Shrader@lagrangenews.com

 

People who know May McDaniel say she’ll make it.

 

Those that don’t know the 71-year-old veteran well believe she’s crazy.

 

Either way, McDaniel will set out soon to hike the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. It’s about 2,000 miles, depending on the actual route each year.

 

“It’s not the first time I’ve thought outside the box,” says McDaniel, who previously has worked in advertising, human relations, and as a public speaker. She had a comfortable job as a school counselor when she chose to join the U.S. Army.

 

“It seemed like a good idea,” McDaniel said. “I’ve always done different things in life and I like to try and learn and do different things.”

 

McDaniel, an avid reader, has read all the appropriate books: “Wild,” by Cheryl Strayed depicts the author’s journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Bill Tyson wrote “A Walk in the Woods” about his Appalachian Trail journey. She even read “My Year of Running Dangerously;” the author started running marathons in middle age. She carries with her a book called “The Appalachian Trail Guide,” by David “Awol,” Miller, considered the trail expert. It’s already filled with notes and information from previous hikers. “You must stop and eat here,” reads one of the notes on a restaurant near the trail.

 

“It’s considered the Bible of the trail,” she said. “I plan to use it like a diary,” and add her own notes.

 

She plans to be on the trail before the first of May to be able to finish before Mt. Katahdin closes Oct. 15.

 

“The kicker will be dealing with the weather,” she said. “I just want to get my feet on the trail. The adventure is worthwhile in itself.”

 

McDaniel won’t be off the grid entirely like early hikers might have been – the entire trail has cell phone coverage. She’s also not particularly worried about her safety. Towns along the trail are a close hike and she will stop every three to five days to re-provision.

 

Being older, and a woman, may actually help her, she says.

 

“I believe being older is a protection,” McDaniel said. “I’m less likely to have a creeper. Being older, I’m more fragile, but I’m also hopefully a little smarter and won’t get myself into situations. I think I’ll get help when I need it.”

 

The idea to hike the trail formed last Memorial Day weekend. McDaniel went to the Pine Mountain Trail and did 12 miles one day and 11 the next. She went to the gym the day after that and wasn’t hurting; she was even able to host some friends at her home.

 

“That’s when I really thought, ‘I can do this,’” she said.

 

The other thing driving her mission is her interest in health. She’s started a non-profit organization called Destination 100. When she gets back from the hike, she’s planning to start a public speaking tour to encourage healthier living.

 

“I believe I’ll live to be 100,” she said. “But I want to live every day. I want to live long, and live well.”

 

McDaniel isn’t a fitness expert but believe she can provide tips to get people started on the trail to better health. She already has a number of followers on the Destination 100 Facebook page who will be encouraging her along her Appalachian Trail hike.

 

“I want to utilize this fame to encourage people to be healthier,” she said. “I want people to follow me to a healthier life.”

 

You can follow her adventure on Destination100.com or on the Facebook page Destination 100.