Maine’s Appalachian Trail: How Seniors Made Section Hiking Easier

Maine’s Appalachian Trail: How Seniors Made Section Hiking Easier

By: Harvey A. Dennenberg a.k.a. GrandPa Walking

Of the fourteen states traversed by the Appalachian Trail (AT), Maine is considered the most difficult to hike because of its rugged, steep terrain. So, how were ＂GrandPa Walking＂ and his fellow seniors able to hike Maine’s treacherous peaks? With proper planning and resources, it is possible for seniors, even those in their seventies, to hike the AT in Maine.

In this book, GrandPa Walking shares the specific gear and creative routes he and other younger seniors used in order to day hike and limit their overnight backpacking stays. He also provides directions and GPS coordinates for little-known access points. The author has hiked the entire AT over thirteen-seasons of which Maine’s AT was hiked during part of June and July for eight of those seasons. Even those not looking to hike the AT will enjoy this account of the author’s journey through rugged Maine’s AT.

About the Author

Harvey A. Dennenberg was born and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Marquette University in 1963, then was commissioned Ensign U.S. Navy. He spent the next nine years on active duty, earned nine campaign stars on his Vietnam Service Ribbon, and was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. Later, he earned a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before moving to Maryland. There, he worked as a Software Sales Executive for twenty-seven years.

Since childhood, Harvey has enjoyed hiking in parks and the woods. As an adult, he and his wife Madeleine, have visited National Parks in both the Continental U.S., Hawaii, Canada, and Croatia. Harvey has been a member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Appalachian Mountain Club, the Mountain Club of Maryland, and Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, ALDHA for many years. In addition to hiking, Harvey enjoys traveling in his free time.