Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk tells the extraordinary and inspiring true story of Emma Gatewood, a 67-year-old grandmother who, in 1955, became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). Her journey wasn’t just a physical feat—it was a powerful act of personal liberation, quiet defiance, and unexpected environmental advocacy.

Raised in rural Ohio as one of 15 children, Emma endured a hard life marked by poverty and brutal domestic abuse from her husband. For years, she bore beatings in silence while raising 11 children. After finally escaping her marriage and regaining a measure of independence, Emma sought healing and solitude. She found it in an article in National Geographic describing the Appalachian Trail—2,050 miles of mountainous terrain stretching from Georgia to Maine. Without fanfare, training, or modern equipment, she decided to walk it alone.

In 1955, wearing canvas Keds, carrying a denim sack slung over one shoulder, and sleeping with only a shower curtain for shelter, she set out alone from Mount Oglethorpe, Georgia. Along the way, she faced everything from wild animals to disintegrating trail markers and treacherous weather. She relied on the kindness of strangers, her own remarkable endurance, and sheer determination.

Her walk wasn’t just about the trail—it became a story about America. As newspapers caught wind of the grandma walking alone through the wilderness, Emma became a folk hero. Reporters followed her story, and families welcomed her into their homes. Her quiet but firm voice reminded people of the beauty of the Appalachian landscape, and her journey shed light on how poorly the trail was maintained.

What began as a personal journey turned into a national inspiration. Emma Gatewood would go on to hike the AT three times, as well as walk the Oregon Trail and complete several other long-distance hikes well into her seventies. She became a quiet advocate for environmental stewardship and hiking accessibility, helping to spur interest in maintaining and protecting the Appalachian Trail.

Ithaca Review

We gathered on warm and sunny day in mid-May to gush about these inspiring feats by Emma. After relating about our own experiences in the woods, hiking or other recreation, we couldn't contain our admiration for Grandma Gatewood.

What stuck out to us most as a group was what she had accomplished for the time period. Today, many of us enjoy the pleasures of listening to music, taking photos, and using our phones for navigation. During tough moments on the road or trail, it can be tempting to tune into a podcast or audiobook to power through the difficulties. Emma did not have any of these luxuries, yet she pushed through the hardship with gusto, even returning for more time and again. Could hikers today complete the trail with the same materials she had back then?

In addition to discussing the technological differences between hikers today and historically, we chatted about her motivation for undertaking this trip. Would she have done this if she hadn't experienced years of domestic violence? Was this the escape she needed from her marriage? What role did the marriage have in shaping her strength and independence? It's difficult to know for certain, but we believed that Emma was in fact running away from her husband, finding solace in the woods on the AT.

One complaint about the book was its structure. The timeline of events could be difficult to follow, and for audiobook listeners, this could be more confusing if you weren't paying close attention. The overall book rating for Ithaca was not about Emma's effort but rather the way the story was crafted.

Other questions we discussed as a group:

1. What motivated Emma to take on such a difficult challenge at her age, and with so little gear?

2. How did the author balance historical facts with storytelling? Did you find the narrative compelling?

3. How does her story reflect perseverance in the face of adversity—not just on the trail, but in life?

4. What does Emma’s story teach us about aging, ability, and societal expectations of women?

5. How is nature portrayed in the book—as obstacle, refuge, or something else?

6. How did you react to her minimalist approach to hiking and survival?

7. What was significant about the time period (1950s) in which Emma did her hike?

8. How did public and media reactions to her hike reflect gender norms of the era?

9. In what ways did she challenge or subvert those norms?

10. What lessons from Emma’s story can apply to challenges in your own life?

11. Would you ever consider a long-distance hike like the Appalachian Trail? Why or why not?

    
    

Ithaca group rating: 8.7/10