
09/01/2025
Gene Espy, the second person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, passed away on August 22 at the age of 97. His journey in 1951, completed over 123 days, helped pave the way for the countless hikers who have followed in his footsteps.
Gene’s Appalachian Trail Journey
Espy first learned about the trail from his seventh-grade teacher in his hometown of Cordele, Georgia. Years later, after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology, he set out from Mount Oglethorpe, Georgia— the Southern Terminus at the time— on May 31, 1951, with a friend. After the first day, his friend dropped out, leaving Espy to complete the rest of the 2,025-mile journey alone.
Read the full story on The Trek 👉 Second Known Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker, Gene Espy, Passes Away at Age 97