65-Year-Old Completes Long Trail Inspired by Father
Tim Bennett, 65, completed Vermont's Long Trail after being inspired by his father's 1937 adventure and meticulously kept trail journal, as discussed on the Mighty Blue podcast. Bennett prepared with a 500-mile Appalachian Trail hike and emphasized core strength, ankle stability, and balance as foundations for long-distance hiking at older ages.
Vermont's Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking path in the United States, stretches 273 miles from the Massachusetts border to Canada. Conceived in 1909 and completed in 1930 by the Green Mountain Club, it served as the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail, with which it shares its first 100 miles. Tim Bennett's successful thru-hike in 2023 was a story of resilience, coming after a significant setback. In 2022, more than 100 miles into his initial attempt, he was struck by a car at a trail crossing and had to abandon the hike for a long recovery. His determination to return and complete the trail adds another layer to his father's legacy. The gear and conditions faced by Bennett's father in 1937 were vastly different. Hikers in that era used heavy wool clothing, leather boots, and external frame packs made of wood and canvas. Modern hikers like Bennett benefit from lightweight, moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics and internal-frame backpacks. The Long Trail itself has also evolved. In the 1930s, the path crossed numerous small farms and logging roads, and hikers often relied on the hospitality of families for meals and lodging. Today, the trail is more rugged and remote in sections, and is largely on permanently protected land with over 70 backcountry shelters maintained by the Green Mountain Club. Bennett is documenting his and his father's parallel journeys in a forthcoming book titled "One Mountain After Another." The book will compare their hiking experiences on the Long Trail, separated by 86 years of history and technological advancement.
