Meet Roxanne From Massachusetts – The Oldest Black Woman to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail

I was working at an event recently at the Museum of Science in Boston alongside a charming lady named Roxanne. Roxanne was actually retired from the museum after being a loyal employee for 35 years. She picks up events now and then and works when she wants to, which is the best way to work, if you ask me.

I was mostly making small talk when I asked her what she has been up to in retirement. Her answer made my jaw drop to the floor. She told me she hiked the entire Appalachian Trail at the age of 67. This makes her the oldest black woman to ever complete this feat. I had stumbled upon royalty and I didn't even know it.

Of course, I had a million questions for her. The first one was when and how did she decide she wanted to hike the AT (that's what the hiking community calls it!)? She said:

On September 1st 2012, I hiked up the Cathedral route trail to the summit of Mt Katahdin the southern terminus of the Appalachian trail  with a group from the Appalachian Mountain Club. While at the summit I saw several thru-hikers who had just finished their thru hike and were taking photos at the sign. They looked tired but they were so happy. That was the moment when I told myself that I wanted to be like them. The joy they were experiencing was forever etched in my psyche.

So she started her journey on April 2, 2023, and finished on December 6, 2023.

Her words of wisdom to anyone considering this hike (or any other hike of this magnitude) are to not get hung up about starting with someone. She started with someone she met on the Appalachian trail Facebook page, and two days into the hike, that woman kicked Roxanne to the curb. She was able to meet and hike with some awesome hikers who are now her friends for life. You will eventually meet people who enjoy hiking with you as you do with them.

When I asked her what the most challenging leg of the hike was, she said it was in Maine because of the high water crossings and the mud. She's not the most comfortable in water and doesn't know how to swim, so that part was pretty terrifying.

So what's next for Roxanne? Is she hanging up the hiking boots? Not even close! She will continue to hike as long as she can. She is going to finish the long trail in Vermont in a few months, and also has aspirations to hike all the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire.

Roxanne is super proud to be the oldest black woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. She's thrilled she was able to complete such a long trial, but more importantly, she wants to inspire people her age, especially people of color, to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors, because it’s for everyone.