Oldest Woman to Hike the Entire Appalachian Trail Reflects on Her Journey
80 and unstoppable—Betty Kellenberger celebrates at the Katahdin summit after hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.
Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
Each year, only about one out of every four hikers who set out to complete the Appalachian Trail reaches that goal. A thru-hike means traversing nearly 2,200 miles, across 14 states, in a single 12-month period. It's a monumental feat of physical and emotional endurance. Betty Kellenberger, an 80-year-old retired school teacher from Michigan, shares her story of completing the hike.
View the transcript of the story.
Warm-Up Questions
- Where is the Appalachian Trail located? (see map)
- Who is Betty Kellenberger?
- What is a "thru-hike" on the Appalachian trail?
- How did age play a factor in Kellenberger's decision to hike the Appalachian Trail?
- What challenges did Kellenberger face while hiking the Appalachian Trail?
Essential Questions
What do you think Betty Kellenberger meant at the end of the piece when she said, "...we were made for movement. We were made to think."? Can you think of an example in your own life where this was the case?
Media literacy: How important is it for news outlets to produce uplifting or "good news" stories?
Extension Activity
Share in real life: Talk with a relative, neighbor or classmate about a time he/she overcame an obstacle or challenge in their lives. Ask them to share details about their journey and how they accomplished it. Did someone help them along the way? Optional: Draw a picture of their story and give it to them as a gift. It can be abstract — a type of art that expresses emotion or how the story made you feel and not a literal depiction.
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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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