Dale Sanders, 91, completes 2,193-mile Appalachian trail after 71 falls, reclaims oldest hiker record

Dale Sanders, 91, has reclaimed his record as the oldest hiker to complete the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail after 71 falls. (Photo: AP) Dale Sanders has reclaimed his record as the oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail after hiking 2,193 miles (3,530 kilometres) across the eastern United States at the age of 91.The Tennessee man, whose trail name is “Grey Beard”, counted 71 falls during his latest attempt, including six he described as particularly hard. One resulted in a brief hospitalisation, while another happened just 200 yards from the finish, as reported by AP.Despite the setbacks, Sanders refused to let the falls permanently derail his journey along the iconic trail, which stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.He completed the hike on Monday at the summit of Maine’s highest peak. At the trail's endpoint, Sanders paused to pray at the sign marking the summit and thanked God, his support team and everyone who had helped him complete the challenge.Dale Sanders first set the record at 82Known as “Grey Beard”, Dale Sanders endured six hard falls, injuries and a hospital stay before completing his record-breaking trek. (Photo: AP)Sanders ...