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Old Lady on the Trail: Triple Crown at 76
Adventure on National Scenic Trails does not need to end when one is old.
Not beginning long-distance hiking until age 60, Mary takes us with her on her trail journeys to experience encounters with the beauty of wilderness from the Eastern ranges of the Appalachian Trail, the challenges of desert, snow, granite and thick forests of the Pacific Crest Trail, and the rugged and the remote grandeur of the Continental Divide Trail.
Along the way, she introduces the Trail Community. Hikers of many ages and walks of life labeled with colorful monikers called trail names, and trail angels, planned and total surprises, grace her journey. Bears, moose, deer, coyotes, turkey vultures, hawks, eagles, owls, pronghorn, and endless supplies of squirrels and chipmunks share the world through which she walked.
Everyday challenges of completing seemingly endless miles, encountering new adventures, sometimes with friends and much of the time solo, brought Mary to the first pages of this book on a glorious day sighting two grizzly bears and completing long-distance hiking's Triple Crown at age 76.
Throughout this inspirational journey, Mary shares the perspective of an aging adult. Challenges of failing body parts add drama and obstacles to be overcome like rocks in the trail or adapted to like the trails that wind slowly up steep mountains.
Come along and experience long trails with the Old Lady on The Trail.
Not beginning long-distance hiking until age 60, Mary takes us with her on her trail journeys to experience encounters with the beauty of wilderness from the Eastern ranges of the Appalachian Trail, the challenges of desert, snow, granite and thick forests of the Pacific Crest Trail, and the rugged and the remote grandeur of the Continental Divide Trail.
Along the way, she introduces the Trail Community. Hikers of many ages and walks of life labeled with colorful monikers called trail names, and trail angels, planned and total surprises, grace her journey. Bears, moose, deer, coyotes, turkey vultures, hawks, eagles, owls, pronghorn, and endless supplies of squirrels and chipmunks share the world through which she walked.
Everyday challenges of completing seemingly endless miles, encountering new adventures, sometimes with friends and much of the time solo, brought Mary to the first pages of this book on a glorious day sighting two grizzly bears and completing long-distance hiking's Triple Crown at age 76.
Throughout this inspirational journey, Mary shares the perspective of an aging adult. Challenges of failing body parts add drama and obstacles to be overcome like rocks in the trail or adapted to like the trails that wind slowly up steep mountains.
Come along and experience long trails with the Old Lady on The Trail.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2018
1043 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 3, 2018
While I admire Medicare Pastor and appreciate her Triple Crown accomplishment, the book itself is difficult to read. It reads as a factual account of her trail miles, it lacks the descriptions that turn the details into a story. I suspect if I had read this as trail logs instead of a book, the reading experience would have been better.
Still, she hiked long hard miles at an age when many people quit being active. I hope I’m still hiking at 76!
Still, she hiked long hard miles at an age when many people quit being active. I hope I’m still hiking at 76!
February 12, 2019
The parts I liked best covered trail preparedness, trip planning, gear, the people she met, her mention of how her pastorship and her family & friends played a role in her life on the trail. Also really loved the fact that she notices the plant life she is walking through.
The parts I didn't care for are areas where better editing would have really helped, for instance, I am reminded of writers who sometimes run a text program over their books to see if they repeat the same words too frequently. She repeats some theme notes a lot and I wound up not finishing the entire (lengthy) book because of all the repeats. These include: the way she bathes and how dirty she gets, how slow she is, her sports bra (and covering up whenever there were children around), and after a while, the trail journal got pretty repetitive too. Very much a "listers" books, filled with lists of plants she sees, lists of shelters she goes through.... etc.
That said, there is much to like about the book. She's an appealing writer, full of happiness, loves hiking, has overcome a lot to hike all three of the TCT trails, writes about people with loving compassion. Worth a try, if you like trail journey books, which I do.
The parts I didn't care for are areas where better editing would have really helped, for instance, I am reminded of writers who sometimes run a text program over their books to see if they repeat the same words too frequently. She repeats some theme notes a lot and I wound up not finishing the entire (lengthy) book because of all the repeats. These include: the way she bathes and how dirty she gets, how slow she is, her sports bra (and covering up whenever there were children around), and after a while, the trail journal got pretty repetitive too. Very much a "listers" books, filled with lists of plants she sees, lists of shelters she goes through.... etc.
That said, there is much to like about the book. She's an appealing writer, full of happiness, loves hiking, has overcome a lot to hike all three of the TCT trails, writes about people with loving compassion. Worth a try, if you like trail journey books, which I do.
April 28, 2020
I can admire Mary E. Davidson (or Medicare Pastor, as she was known on trail). I can admire her accomplishments- becoming a Triple Crowner at 75 is a remarkable achievement. (For those not in the known, a Triple Crown in hiking is the completion of the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail in their entirety- that is roughly seven thousand, seven hundred miles- give or take).
However, I am ashamed to admit that this book is going on the abandoned list- because it is abandoned. I started nearly a month ago, got less than a third of the way through and left the book down- and I haven't thought of it in nearly two weeks. Tried to re-start it, read two pages and gave up.
The book just didn't grab me. I found the structure to be "jumpey". It would shift from a section hike on the Appalachian Trail, to a section hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, to time at home. The Kick-Off party for the Pacific Crest Trail was attended twice. Just as I was getting into my stride while reading, it would end and then, just as I was getting into my stride for the next section, it would end. So, the flow of the book was off for me.
As a previous reviewer noted, there were no really human moments. One of the reasons I derive pleasure from hiking books is the authors interactions with other hikers. But there was none of that in what I have read. I know absolutely nothing about the other hikers Medicare Pastor met- they were vague outlines. I can still remember the other hikers met in other books, such as Tipperary from AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, or the 'unique' characters met in A Walk in the Woods.
Overall, a book that failed (for me) to deliver what should have been an inspiring message.
However, I am ashamed to admit that this book is going on the abandoned list- because it is abandoned. I started nearly a month ago, got less than a third of the way through and left the book down- and I haven't thought of it in nearly two weeks. Tried to re-start it, read two pages and gave up.
The book just didn't grab me. I found the structure to be "jumpey". It would shift from a section hike on the Appalachian Trail, to a section hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, to time at home. The Kick-Off party for the Pacific Crest Trail was attended twice. Just as I was getting into my stride while reading, it would end and then, just as I was getting into my stride for the next section, it would end. So, the flow of the book was off for me.
As a previous reviewer noted, there were no really human moments. One of the reasons I derive pleasure from hiking books is the authors interactions with other hikers. But there was none of that in what I have read. I know absolutely nothing about the other hikers Medicare Pastor met- they were vague outlines. I can still remember the other hikers met in other books, such as Tipperary from AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, or the 'unique' characters met in A Walk in the Woods.
Overall, a book that failed (for me) to deliver what should have been an inspiring message.
April 24, 2021
Mary Davison is an inspiration, there is no denying. She is a seasoned hiker. Completing the Triple Crown of Backpackers, at age 76, is an incredible accomplishment. Old Lady on the Trail is a compilation of Davison's Hiking Journal entries describing her expeditions of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, & the Continental Divide Trail. She writes about the various hikers & community found along the trails, ups & downs of trail packing, soloing majestic wilderness, & potential hike ending physical afflictions.
All of that being said...disappointingly, in the 471 pages there are no pictures. None. The lack of pictures does not equate with her desire to share the beautiful wilderness with her readers. Perhaps, this is petty but it is a book about backpacking beautiful wilderness. Davison not being a writer left this reader baffled. Photographs would have added strength to this book.
All of that being said...disappointingly, in the 471 pages there are no pictures. None. The lack of pictures does not equate with her desire to share the beautiful wilderness with her readers. Perhaps, this is petty but it is a book about backpacking beautiful wilderness. Davison not being a writer left this reader baffled. Photographs would have added strength to this book.
August 15, 2022
A very in depth account that's inspiring and encouraging to a society that fears aging rather than viewing it as a badge of honor or a victory lap. I do wish there had been a few pictures interspersed in the story, that would have really brought it together!
January 2, 2020
I did not like this author. For a woman who was a religious minister, she comes off as needy and self-righteous. Her needs come before anyone else's and other people's way of doing things are wrong if they don't match Mary's ways of doing things. I struggled to read this whole book. I only finished it because I do not like not finishing what I start. As can be seen from my list of books read, I read a lot of trail books. This one is best left unread.
October 12, 2025
It doesn't read as a story, but as a trail journal. Seeing accounts of people, but especially women like Mary, continuing their outdoor adventures into later life lets me breathe a little easier as I navigate middle age. If, like me, you're wondering how long you'll be able to pursue outdoor adventures or if you're wondering if you're too old to start adventuring, this book is for you.
February 1, 2019
I congratulate Mary on her achievements and can identify with her joy in the journey. The book was interesting overall; the AT sections were more interesting to me because that is where I hike and have knowledge and experience of where she hiked. The book became tedious however with repeated phrases and not enough human interest stories. I enjoyed reading it overall, but skimmed the last 50 pages. One other note: Some of her descriptions of the beauty on the trails out west made me want to do a bit of hiking out there.
April 22, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book very much! I liked the fact that the author emphasized the thing that made her different from other long-distance hikers, her age. It was inspiring to see how she faced the challenges despite her age, and was able to compensate by breaking the hikes up into pieces, placing more water caches, etc. I appreciated that she played up the positive aspects of hiking during an advanced age, but at the same time, made sure to mention the additional challenges that it entailed. I think one of her sentences at the end wrapped it up for me the most -- "Advice for myself and older hikers: Don't try to be younger, stronger hikers. They have their own set of limitations. Yours are different. Discover how to adapt new methods to accomplish your goals." This was basically the theme of the book, and was supported by numerous specific examples along the way. I felt that the author did a good job of getting her message across.
November 24, 2024
I am 86 and have been a long distance cyclist so , of course, I would be interested in this book. I admire the author's skills and spunk. I learned about these important trails...concluding I would pick bicycle touring over hiking. It, too, has its adventures, but does not demand as much as hiking the Triple Crown.
I do think the book could have used more cutting from the editor; it would have made it shorter and less repetitive.
CSR
I do think the book could have used more cutting from the editor; it would have made it shorter and less repetitive.
CSR
March 27, 2019
I disagree with those who say it was hard to read - too much like a trail journal. It gave me opportunities each night to lose myself on the PCT and fuel the dream that I have of section hiking there someday. Since I live in the Midwest, this seems like a far off dream. But I could live vicariously through Mary’s experiences. I could especially see the flowers in the meadow and feel the warm sun after a couple of cold, soggy trail days. And when she finally crested the hill and was able to see the pristine blue lake, I could see it too. Not to be read all at once in a hurry, but to savor in a chapter or so at a time—-this is how you get to see the trail in your own mind and meet the characters for yourself.
September 29, 2019
I really tried to stay with this book but after months of setting it down and coming back to it, I just got to the place where I could not read another chapter on walking and walking and walking. The writing is good and engaging, and the author's commitment to keep walking despite her age and her various physical conditions is truly impressive, but after awhile, as a non-walker, the journey from this hill to that valley to another pond just all started blurring together for me. It is a worthy book for anyone walking, or thinking about walking, any of the triple-crown hikes.
March 19, 2023
I couldn't wait to read this book by Mary E Davison who completed the Triple Crown at 76 years old. Triple Crown in hiking includes the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide.
Her book is detailed and quite lovely but do not expect the white knuckle writing that appears in Outside Magazine. Mary shares her rich life when she's not hiking which includes gardening, church work- she is a pastor, and spending time with her grandkids. She was still working as she started the long trails and hiked them in sections so chapters alternated between PCT and the more challenging AT and later the CDT.
Many readers commented on the repetitiveness of her writing and that it lacked human interest stories. People wanted pictures. However, Mary's day to day hiking and writing about it was akin to a Zen monk chopping wood, over and over, he chops and chops through pain and happiness. Just chop wood.
Mary continued hiking through near constant knee pain, falling down a trail blackening her eyes, crushing her eyeglasses, sinking into bogs mid thigh, walking in heat,rain, snow, fighting mosquitoes, hiking alone in exposed vast desert and mesa lands, scrambling up Maine rocks and boulders, forging rivers, Mary just kept hiking. She condensed years of hiking these trails into this book so it has a repetitive theme. She cherishes her community trail friends that she meets and they make life long connections helping each other out- becoming her trail family. There is no plot or special interest stories. Pictures would have been expensive to publish.
I googled some of the trails, scenic mountains and lakes that she mentioned. I appreciated her thrill when a family of wild piglets trailed after her, her delight in the array of blooming wild flowers, and relying on Trail Angels, volunteers who support the long trail hikers with food, water and car rides to motels for relief.
Her consistently cheerful, positive attitude is the unexpected gift in this book. Rain storms, near heat stroke, tough places to sleep, hiking with a injured painful knee, and many blisters on her poor feet did not deter her. The more challenging time was the arthroscopic bilateral knee surgery with complications, subsequent delirium from medications and a 3 week stay in a nursing home to rehab. She came out ready to pick up where she left off on the trails. Fortitude and perseverance.
I was looking for a kick start to hiking a challenging 3 day trail but instead I learned to just do what I can do with grace and determination. In fact, reading what Mary went through I don't think I'd forge through bogs, rivers staying wet socks, putting iodine pills in mud ponds used by cows, sleeping cowboy on top of my bag exposed to the night, or be calm watching a defensive mother bear grunting and running near me as her cubs scurry. I'd curl up and wish I could be home.
So this book settled that pipe dream. Mary E. Davison should take the honor of International Woman of the Year for her strength, compassion, heroic efforts and accomplishments, no matter her age. She does refer to her age or being 'an old lady' on nearly every page of the book which was distracting to me. Age is irrelevant to the person's spirit. Very sweet reading.
Her book is detailed and quite lovely but do not expect the white knuckle writing that appears in Outside Magazine. Mary shares her rich life when she's not hiking which includes gardening, church work- she is a pastor, and spending time with her grandkids. She was still working as she started the long trails and hiked them in sections so chapters alternated between PCT and the more challenging AT and later the CDT.
Many readers commented on the repetitiveness of her writing and that it lacked human interest stories. People wanted pictures. However, Mary's day to day hiking and writing about it was akin to a Zen monk chopping wood, over and over, he chops and chops through pain and happiness. Just chop wood.
Mary continued hiking through near constant knee pain, falling down a trail blackening her eyes, crushing her eyeglasses, sinking into bogs mid thigh, walking in heat,rain, snow, fighting mosquitoes, hiking alone in exposed vast desert and mesa lands, scrambling up Maine rocks and boulders, forging rivers, Mary just kept hiking. She condensed years of hiking these trails into this book so it has a repetitive theme. She cherishes her community trail friends that she meets and they make life long connections helping each other out- becoming her trail family. There is no plot or special interest stories. Pictures would have been expensive to publish.
I googled some of the trails, scenic mountains and lakes that she mentioned. I appreciated her thrill when a family of wild piglets trailed after her, her delight in the array of blooming wild flowers, and relying on Trail Angels, volunteers who support the long trail hikers with food, water and car rides to motels for relief.
Her consistently cheerful, positive attitude is the unexpected gift in this book. Rain storms, near heat stroke, tough places to sleep, hiking with a injured painful knee, and many blisters on her poor feet did not deter her. The more challenging time was the arthroscopic bilateral knee surgery with complications, subsequent delirium from medications and a 3 week stay in a nursing home to rehab. She came out ready to pick up where she left off on the trails. Fortitude and perseverance.
I was looking for a kick start to hiking a challenging 3 day trail but instead I learned to just do what I can do with grace and determination. In fact, reading what Mary went through I don't think I'd forge through bogs, rivers staying wet socks, putting iodine pills in mud ponds used by cows, sleeping cowboy on top of my bag exposed to the night, or be calm watching a defensive mother bear grunting and running near me as her cubs scurry. I'd curl up and wish I could be home.
So this book settled that pipe dream. Mary E. Davison should take the honor of International Woman of the Year for her strength, compassion, heroic efforts and accomplishments, no matter her age. She does refer to her age or being 'an old lady' on nearly every page of the book which was distracting to me. Age is irrelevant to the person's spirit. Very sweet reading.
March 21, 2020
I have a tremendous amount of admiration for Mary Davison, trail name Medicare Pastor, who completed the Triple Crown of hiking at the age of 76 (and did significant hikes in addition to those three trails). She took on challenges that few people will ever willingly engage and at an age and with physical disadvantages that would put the vast majority of people on the couch.
The book is a diary of her hiking adventures for those days of hiking or preparation. We pretty much experience every day on the trail with her, seeing the beauty she sees and experiencing the hardships along with her. That makes for a very long book. Because I was reading this aloud to my husband (as we traveled from Florida to New York), skimming wasn't an option (and I still wasn't done reading after 1300 miles). Exact phrases were often repeated and too many times we were told about undies washing, how she was an old lady and slow as a slug, sports bras being worn, etc. TMI. A good editor would have helped.
There were also long lists of flowers encountered with almost every vista. As a flower fan, I didn't really object but I am pretty sure not everyone would enjoy the repetition. Also listing the hikers she encountered got old - the trail names were interesting but a list of 6-10 hikers encountered every few pages seemed to be overkill. A serious edit would have been helpful, I think.
But there is much to admire about Mary and her determination to hike through very inclement conditions and with serious physical issues. She put a positive spin on the challenges and worked through things when most would have given up. And she loved the trail, the gorgeous scenery and was very appreciative of those who helped make it happen for her. I suspect the book may inspire some to become Trail Angels if they live in area where that could conveniently happen.
The takeaway? Certainly, age does not need to be a limitation and Mary is great about encouraging people to do what they can at whatever age and not to compare themselves with other ages without the limitations they might have. Her appreciation of the beauty of the trails will likely influence many to hike in areas they might not have known about and give them tools to be successful, should they choose to day, section, or through hike. I hope to see some of the gorgeous sights she saw, eat ice cream at some of the places she stopped for a treat, but I don't plan on hiking in a sports bra at age 76 (or my current undisclosed age).
The book is a diary of her hiking adventures for those days of hiking or preparation. We pretty much experience every day on the trail with her, seeing the beauty she sees and experiencing the hardships along with her. That makes for a very long book. Because I was reading this aloud to my husband (as we traveled from Florida to New York), skimming wasn't an option (and I still wasn't done reading after 1300 miles). Exact phrases were often repeated and too many times we were told about undies washing, how she was an old lady and slow as a slug, sports bras being worn, etc. TMI. A good editor would have helped.
There were also long lists of flowers encountered with almost every vista. As a flower fan, I didn't really object but I am pretty sure not everyone would enjoy the repetition. Also listing the hikers she encountered got old - the trail names were interesting but a list of 6-10 hikers encountered every few pages seemed to be overkill. A serious edit would have been helpful, I think.
But there is much to admire about Mary and her determination to hike through very inclement conditions and with serious physical issues. She put a positive spin on the challenges and worked through things when most would have given up. And she loved the trail, the gorgeous scenery and was very appreciative of those who helped make it happen for her. I suspect the book may inspire some to become Trail Angels if they live in area where that could conveniently happen.
The takeaway? Certainly, age does not need to be a limitation and Mary is great about encouraging people to do what they can at whatever age and not to compare themselves with other ages without the limitations they might have. Her appreciation of the beauty of the trails will likely influence many to hike in areas they might not have known about and give them tools to be successful, should they choose to day, section, or through hike. I hope to see some of the gorgeous sights she saw, eat ice cream at some of the places she stopped for a treat, but I don't plan on hiking in a sports bra at age 76 (or my current undisclosed age).
January 30, 2021
When you hike 8,000 some miles you're going to have some stories to tell. Mary. E. Davison does an ample job of telling hers. The fact that she finished her Triple Crown at the age of 76 is pure inspiration.
As I read her stories from the PCT, AT, and CT I found myself smiling, shaking my head, learning, and laughing. You don't have to be a thru-hiker to enjoy this book. You can be a vicarious arm-chair reader like me with no intentions of setting out to tackle a Triple Crown. I appreciated this book so much. When I finished this book I went outside and with thoughts of Mary's Triple Crown so fresh in my head, I promptly doubled the length of my usual walk today much to the delight of my dog.
Mary describes the flora and fauna, landscapes, the hiking culture, gear, insight into what it's like to hike these incredible places both solo and with friends all an in easy-to-read fashion. Some of my favorite quotes from the book include:
"Thank you for the picture, Mr. Moose."
"I refuse to die of hypothermia at 9,000 feet. I'm gonna go to 8,00 feet."
"Wow, I'm still alive."
"I won't tell you not to go on your hike. But your knee will tell you how much you can do."
I'll be thinking of Mary this summer when I'm exploring trails at Mount Rainier.
As I read her stories from the PCT, AT, and CT I found myself smiling, shaking my head, learning, and laughing. You don't have to be a thru-hiker to enjoy this book. You can be a vicarious arm-chair reader like me with no intentions of setting out to tackle a Triple Crown. I appreciated this book so much. When I finished this book I went outside and with thoughts of Mary's Triple Crown so fresh in my head, I promptly doubled the length of my usual walk today much to the delight of my dog.
Mary describes the flora and fauna, landscapes, the hiking culture, gear, insight into what it's like to hike these incredible places both solo and with friends all an in easy-to-read fashion. Some of my favorite quotes from the book include:
"Thank you for the picture, Mr. Moose."
"I refuse to die of hypothermia at 9,000 feet. I'm gonna go to 8,00 feet."
"Wow, I'm still alive."
"I won't tell you not to go on your hike. But your knee will tell you how much you can do."
I'll be thinking of Mary this summer when I'm exploring trails at Mount Rainier.
May 2, 2020
I wanted to love this one. But I barely made it past the first 100 pages. (It's 486 pages long). Mary started hiking at 60 and in her 70s hiked three of the major cross country trails. This is her story, complete with typos, sentences that don't make sense and repetition. She's a section hiker, meaning she hikes a section of a trail, then gets off, in her case, to go to one of the other three trails during hiking season and hike a section over there. It was impossible for me to keep up with where she was or why. She ran into lots of interesting hikers, and sometimes she'd run into them again, on another trail or later on the original, but we never found out much about any of them, they were just mentioned in passing. We did, however, hear a lot about her knee...which, if you think about it,makes her pretty amazing to even be out there.
I loved that she had these adventures, and I wish I were more like her, but the book itself is more a tabulation of her hikes, meant for her to review and remember, then for someone like me to read cover to cover. I might go back and read sections later, but for now I just can't do more.
I loved that she had these adventures, and I wish I were more like her, but the book itself is more a tabulation of her hikes, meant for her to review and remember, then for someone like me to read cover to cover. I might go back and read sections later, but for now I just can't do more.
February 16, 2019
Long trails and even longer book
I really wanted to love this book. Im an avid reader of adventure books and as someone who is obsessed with hiking i thought a book about an old lady who triple crowned would be phenomenal. I was wrong and i was right.
By all means this story is fantastic on its own. Mary is a triple crowner in her 70s and thats more than most can say even people in their 20s! I absolutely loved her descriptions of the western states.
Where the book fell flat for me though, was the length, the repetition, and all the useless extras.
If you had taken out random hikers names and all the flowers the book would have been half as long. By the end i felt like i was skimming as i was quickly losing interest but wanted to see her finish.
The story is great and adventurous but it could have done with some better editting.
I really wanted to love this book. Im an avid reader of adventure books and as someone who is obsessed with hiking i thought a book about an old lady who triple crowned would be phenomenal. I was wrong and i was right.
By all means this story is fantastic on its own. Mary is a triple crowner in her 70s and thats more than most can say even people in their 20s! I absolutely loved her descriptions of the western states.
Where the book fell flat for me though, was the length, the repetition, and all the useless extras.
If you had taken out random hikers names and all the flowers the book would have been half as long. By the end i felt like i was skimming as i was quickly losing interest but wanted to see her finish.
The story is great and adventurous but it could have done with some better editting.
June 17, 2023
Like the three trails Mary Davison hiked, this book is LONG. I learned so much about the three trails and the hiking life she led that as a novice hiker I appreciated. The fact that she did the trails in "sections" provides hope for those of us who dream of hiking at least one, if not all three of the triple crown.
The thing that appealed most was her attitude. Mostly it was over the top positive, but she was human enough to get frustrated at a few things. Her strength of character and pioneer spirit are a beacon for us "seniors" who want to keep active and engaged with life.
Her CDT was particularly enjoyable as she went through New Mexico and found the people friendly (which they are) ad the wind horrendous (which it is).
The thing that appealed most was her attitude. Mostly it was over the top positive, but she was human enough to get frustrated at a few things. Her strength of character and pioneer spirit are a beacon for us "seniors" who want to keep active and engaged with life.
Her CDT was particularly enjoyable as she went through New Mexico and found the people friendly (which they are) ad the wind horrendous (which it is).
April 20, 2025
Mary is an inspiration to me. For her to hike all three of these trails at her age is simply astounding to me. What I particularly like about her is she does not complain about her age or compare herself to other younger hikers. She accepts what her body is or is not capable of doing and enjoys it anyways. You can tell that she has a profound love of nature and the beauty of our world. I love that about her. I lived vicariously through her every step of the way wishing I could this also. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am sad that it is finished. I guess I will read both of her other books. She makes reference to hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and I wish she would write a book about that. I have read many Camino books and would enjoy hearing about her experiences.
July 11, 2025
I wanted to love this book as much as I love the accomplishment of completing the Triple Crown at 76. There are times when the book almost succeeds in bringing the story to life, but most of the time it does not. It’s far too long and in need of serious editing.
There are times when it seems like this book was written by different people. One chapter would read well and another have so many unnecessary or misplaced commas that I couldn’t figure out what the sentence was saying. Occasionally a chapter has a friendly, storytelling style but most are rather lifeless, and often repetitive, descriptions.
As much as I admire what the author did, I don’t admire how she wrote about it.
Oh, and it’s Cuben fiber, not Cuban. That drove my crazy every time I read it.
There are times when it seems like this book was written by different people. One chapter would read well and another have so many unnecessary or misplaced commas that I couldn’t figure out what the sentence was saying. Occasionally a chapter has a friendly, storytelling style but most are rather lifeless, and often repetitive, descriptions.
As much as I admire what the author did, I don’t admire how she wrote about it.
Oh, and it’s Cuben fiber, not Cuban. That drove my crazy every time I read it.
January 8, 2019
A fun read
I enjoyed this book. Mary is a warm and humorous person....at least that is my conclusion after reading this account of her hiking adventures. She has encouraged me ,through her example, to keep moving and believing for strength and ability to be active as I move into my senior years. My husband decided to read the book after I shared a few things with him from it. Now we chuckle and marvel together over some of the situations Mary encountered. There were several times that I wished that Mary had developed issues in greater detail. I think that will happen in the future as she matures as a writer.
I enjoyed this book. Mary is a warm and humorous person....at least that is my conclusion after reading this account of her hiking adventures. She has encouraged me ,through her example, to keep moving and believing for strength and ability to be active as I move into my senior years. My husband decided to read the book after I shared a few things with him from it. Now we chuckle and marvel together over some of the situations Mary encountered. There were several times that I wished that Mary had developed issues in greater detail. I think that will happen in the future as she matures as a writer.
February 17, 2020
Learned so much of hiking these trails. A fantastic read.
I am so sad to have finished this book. The story of a senior woman as she hiked the 3 big trails in the U.S. that gave her the Triple Crowd at 76!! I felt like I was thinking along with Medicare Pastor. Savored each word along the trail. I was impressed and wowed time and again. Thank you for writing and sharing your hikes so those of not hiking can at least tag along and know of the splendid and amazing, and at times scary, trails. Congrats on the Triple crown and all you have accomplished. I hold you in awe, and yes, a spot of envy. Amazing story of an amazing women on these awesome trails.
I am so sad to have finished this book. The story of a senior woman as she hiked the 3 big trails in the U.S. that gave her the Triple Crowd at 76!! I felt like I was thinking along with Medicare Pastor. Savored each word along the trail. I was impressed and wowed time and again. Thank you for writing and sharing your hikes so those of not hiking can at least tag along and know of the splendid and amazing, and at times scary, trails. Congrats on the Triple crown and all you have accomplished. I hold you in awe, and yes, a spot of envy. Amazing story of an amazing women on these awesome trails.
May 3, 2020
I wish the book were edited better, but was soon able to look past spelling and formatting errors to enjoy the mind of an aging hiker.
“Hiking slower means needing to bring more food. Bringing more food means carrying more weight. Carrying more weight means hiking slower.”
“We all have limitations... they differ. Life requires us to learn to deal with (them) adjusting expectations..and searching for creative solutions to reach our goals”
“Advice for myself and other older hikers: Don’t try to be younger stronger hikers.”
“Hiking slower means needing to bring more food. Bringing more food means carrying more weight. Carrying more weight means hiking slower.”
“We all have limitations... they differ. Life requires us to learn to deal with (them) adjusting expectations..and searching for creative solutions to reach our goals”
“Advice for myself and other older hikers: Don’t try to be younger stronger hikers.”
December 1, 2020
I didn't finish this book. Sad to say, I'd read enough through hike books over the last few years, I wasn't finding it fresh. Reading about someone being cold and wet, or with aching joints, or seeing a bear is now just too common a story. And the fact that she completed the triple crown at the age of 76 was known going in, so no surprise there. Not to say it isn't a good read, especially for someone unfamiliar with thru-hiking, and not to say it isn't a great accomplishment. But, it just wasn't holding my interest.
June 12, 2022
Mary is an inspiration
I liked reading about Mary's experience in hiking and finishing the Triple crown. I am in my 50's and just started hiking this year. I didn't know I would like hiking as much as I do. Reading about Mary hiking solo in her 70's makes me happy. Her book has a lot of repetition but I enjoyed her description of the beautiful places she was hiking through especially the Shenandoah national park. I had to go do research on some of the places which makes me want to go hike the trails there.
I liked reading about Mary's experience in hiking and finishing the Triple crown. I am in my 50's and just started hiking this year. I didn't know I would like hiking as much as I do. Reading about Mary hiking solo in her 70's makes me happy. Her book has a lot of repetition but I enjoyed her description of the beautiful places she was hiking through especially the Shenandoah national park. I had to go do research on some of the places which makes me want to go hike the trails there.
August 28, 2019
I didn't really finish this book, but wanted to get it off my currently reading list. This was an ok book. She is an amazing woman, but how many times can you read about seeing a mountain, a flower or wildlife. I get that it chronicled the three trails and for fellow hikers interested in doing the same, it would be interesting to read or all the way through. Living on the west coast, I concentrated on the Pacific Crest Trail portions and enjoyed it.
December 2, 2021
If you've hiked on any of these trails, day-section-thru, you will find something to enjoy. I liked the descriptions of the wildflowers and made some notes of sections I would like to see. The book could be improved with some editing. If you approach it as a trail log, it works. More storytelling would be good but maybe she didn't want to reveal the more emotional aspects of hiking with others or doing some reflection. That is ok too.
July 15, 2024
Inspiring MUST READ for Hikers of all ages
Reading this book was an inspiring virtual journey through some of the most beautiful places on earth.
Senior citizen Mary Davison shares the ups and downs (physical and emotional) of her journey to the Triple Crown on the Appalachian, John Muir, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails.
Her determination, humor and honest insight are uplifting.
Reading this book was an inspiring virtual journey through some of the most beautiful places on earth.
Senior citizen Mary Davison shares the ups and downs (physical and emotional) of her journey to the Triple Crown on the Appalachian, John Muir, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails.
Her determination, humor and honest insight are uplifting.
September 26, 2024
Hurry for all hikers
I enjoyed the way the author made me feel, like I was right there with her. I was amazed at everything she over came from physical challenges even to dealing with bed bugs . she saw beauty in every challenge and described her feelings in great detail. I learned to respect her drive and determination. She is truly a human being filled with love for her journey of life .
I enjoyed the way the author made me feel, like I was right there with her. I was amazed at everything she over came from physical challenges even to dealing with bed bugs . she saw beauty in every challenge and described her feelings in great detail. I learned to respect her drive and determination. She is truly a human being filled with love for her journey of life .
December 3, 2024
Hiking in one's 70s
This book was a long read but I did not feel I was hiking with her as with other books hiking books accounts that I have read. Having hiked the 4000 footers in NH, I do agree with Mary Davison that NH's trails are tough. The book does present a nice outlook on elder folks hiking. I might have to redo my climbing of the NH 48, 4000 footers for my 75-76 years!
This book was a long read but I did not feel I was hiking with her as with other books hiking books accounts that I have read. Having hiked the 4000 footers in NH, I do agree with Mary Davison that NH's trails are tough. The book does present a nice outlook on elder folks hiking. I might have to redo my climbing of the NH 48, 4000 footers for my 75-76 years!
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