Think climbing the stairs of a fourth-floor walkup is hard? Try telling that to Lee Barry. The man known as “Easy One” completed his second complete Appalachian Trail hike in 2004 at the ripe young age of 81. It was his fifth hike overall. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, only 11 thru-hike completions have been reported by hikers over 70 years old, and most of them had thru-hiked the trail at least once before.
7 Things You Didn’t Know about the Appalachian Trail
On its 75th birthday, TIME presents 7 things you didn't know about one of America's most iconic footpaths.
The Oldest Person to Complete It Was 81
Full List
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- Randall Lee Smith, The Appalachian Trail’s Very Own Serial Killer
- It’s Mark Sanford’s Favorite Excuse
- The Oldest Person to Complete It Was 81
- 99% Of It Has Been Rebuilt Over the Years
- The First Woman to Complete It Solo Had 23 Grandchildren
- There’s a Stop on New York’s Metro North Railroad
- It’s Not the Longest Hiking Trail in the World