Old Lady on the Trail: Meet 83-Year-Old Triple Crowner Mary E. Davison (#7 of Top Ten from 2025)

Mary Davison is a true inspiration who found a profound sense of meaning and moxie after turning 50. Her remarkable journey into long-distance hiking began at age 60 with the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, which quickly ignited a passion few can match. Her incredible dedication led her to become a certified Triple Crowner, meaning she successfully completed the three most challenging and prestigious trails in the United States: the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). These three trails alone total approximately 8,000 miles, but Mary didn't stop there. She also has tackled the ancient pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago and most recently the vast, coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail.Now hiking in her 80s and still actively section-hiking, Mary continues to defy expectations and redefine what's possible in later life. She brings a deep, philosophical perspective to her physical challenges, famously stating that "Age is not just a number. It does make a difference eventually. Doesn't mean you can't do anything. It just means you have to do them differently." She has documented her extensive adventures, sharing her hard-won wisdom and practical advice for embracing new challenges. Mary's life is a testament to the idea that regardless of age, you can always find your next big adventure and start wherever you are.Mary's Info:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mary+e+davison&crid=2S3B3P2KPMTYG&sprefix=mary+davison%2Caps%2C192&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_12https://thetrek.co/meet-old-lady-on-the-trail-81-year-old-triple-crowner-mary-e-davison/https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/mary-davidson-thru-hiking/ **The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute  legal advice;  instead, all information, content and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this podcast  may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser.