Woman Who Hiked 1,200 Miles In Dead Of Winter Reveals The Brutal Choice She Had To Make

Emily Ford was no stranger to nature, but even she felt intimidated by a Wisconsin trail, which stretched over 1,200 miles. It was a tremendous undertaking, one that would push Ford to the limit and mostly isolate her from human contact. At any point, a dip in the wintry temperature or a sudden overnight snowfall could have been a good enough excuse for Ford to quit. She pushed on — until a difficult decision left her at a major crossroads.

Tough Terrain

In knee-deep snow and freezing temperatures, Emily Ford tossed over the idea again. Should she finally give up? The hike seemed never-ending, with each day bringing the same harsh, winter conditions. Maybe only a few days had passed, or maybe nearly thirty since she first started. Ford quieted all the turbulent thoughts rolling around in her head. She knew she couldn't stop, not yet.

Another Kind of Strength

Ford embarked on a nearly 1,200-mile-long trek that would bring her from the shores of Lake Michigan to the border of Minnesota. Found in Wisconsin, the Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail was never for the faint of heart. For Emily Ford, she was as prepared as she could be.

Historic Listing

Ford had grown up with a love for nature, so much so that she devoted her career to it. Emily was the head gardener of the Glensheen Historic Estate in Minnesota, which covered a whopping 22 acres. With her green thumb, she knew all about the changing of the seasons — and how she was undertaking her Ice Age journey at the most difficult time possible.

Different Seasons

Summer hikers on the trail had a rather pleasant experience. With the sun and the warmth, many people made an enjoyable summer trip out of it. During winter, on the other hand, certain hazards were unavoidable. There was the daily accumulation of snow, accompanied by below-freezing temperatures. But as the name suggested, the Ice Age Trail had a unique place in history, and Emily Ford wanted a place in it.

Ice Age Marker

Formed over 11,000 years ago, a retreating glacier turned the landscape hilly as it melted and formed the path. Only one person, Mike Summers, had completed the Ice Age Trail in the dead of winter before. Emily set out to be the second, and if she succeeded, she would become the first gay, Black woman to achieve the feat. For such a big expedition, Ford knew she couldn't do it alone.

Trusted Husky

Ford had Diggins, a friend's sled dog, by her side. The two made a good team, as both were adept at handling the cold weather. But like many hikers that headed off on intense trails, Ford had her moments of self-doubt. Fighting against them, she tried to keep up her spirits even when she and Diggins faced surprise hiccups along the route.

Worn Out

Ford described to the Sierra Club one perilous situation she found herself in. The Ice Age Trail didn't only reside within the wilderness. Over 500 miles of it traversed small towns and even highways, and that asphalt wore out her hiking boots. And although she expected the frigid weather, that didn't mean she was always willing to face it head-on.

Long Night Ahead

Her tent became the only safe refuge from the wintry conditions. Ford revealed to Sierra Club that on certain nights, she and Diggins hunkered down in the tent without a desire to step out. Staying warm and safe was of utmost importance. For that reason, in key instances, Ford and her pup did accept some help along the way.

Blankets and Pillows

Ford took up several invites from individuals who lived near the trail to stay overnight and enjoy some home-cooked food. But she did so sparingly. Ford wanted to rely mostly on herself. Her motto was, "Everyone deserves to be outside," so she stayed out as much as possible to inspire her followers. But for the most part, she and Diggins felt very alone.

Isolation

Many days, the complete isolation on the Ice Age Trail wreaked havoc on Emily's mental state. She didn't see a soul, which was scary, but the knowledge that history was riding on her shoulders allowed her to push on. On the other hand, there were the frightening moments when she and her pup weren't so alone out in the wilderness.

Hiding in the Dark

Deadly creatures stalked them constantly. In an interview with Atlas Obscura, Ford described one time when the two were settling in for the night, and she realized they were being watched. "Diggins’s ears perked up. Something was out in the woods, and I’m assuming it’s a predator of some sort," Ford said. But she had an unexpected reaction.

Watchful Eyes

Ford stated that she was in awe whenever an animal was keeping an eye on her. It made her understand where she was on the food chain that night. "You begin to realize that you don’t have sharp claws, you don’t have sharp teeth, and actually, you’re not that strong." She "loved that feeling," while still keeping her distance from these beasts. But another situation with predators did make her angry.

Too Much, Too Soon

While Ford was out on the trail, the state of Wisconsin made a controversial move. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gave in to pressure from hunters and unlisted the gray wolf as an endangered species. They made a large area around the trail available for wolf hunting. Ford recognized the danger that the hunt posed to them.

On the Loose

What really alarmed Emily was the use of hounds. Thanks to an email update, she learned that Wisconsin was nearly allowing anything and everything for the wolf hunt — everything from snow machines to attack dogs. Ford became afraid for her own husky friend. What if one of the hounds thought Diggins was their prey? Ford realized she needed to make a tough decision.

Fight or Flight

In her interview with Atlas Obscura, Emily Ford revealed the question that haunted her. Imagining a hunter's hound attacked Diggins, she stated, "If it comes down to that, am I willing to harm another canine to save Diggins? And I came to the conclusion, yes. I would do anything to keep her alive in that situation." Had circumstances really come to that?

Lost Sanctuary

Thankfully, Emily Ford and Diggins never did have to act on that last resort. They survived unscathed from any run-ins with snowmobile-driving hunters or wolf-sniffing hounds. But sadly, another dark outcome came about for the gray wolves of Wisconsin.

High Fatalities

According to the New York Times, the hunters and trappers killed over 200 wolves within just three days. Environmental groups from around the country were outraged, and Ford was sad that her own concerns over the sudden hunting season had been right. But she trudged on, determined to reach an oasis.

Peace in Nature

Nearing the end of the Ice Age Trail, Emily discovered the perfect place to rest. The two settled in a flat area by a river for the night. The ambiance of nature filled the landscape around them. After over sixty days out on the hike, Ford was still in very good spirits, despite the self-doubts here and there.

Finish Line

And then, just like that, it was over. After 69 days, Emily Ford and Diggins reached the end of the Ice Age Trail. It was long, sometimes harsh, but an overall impassioned adventure for the two. Upon reaching the end, Ford made history, becoming the first Black, openly gay woman to finish the trail. But Ford had plenty of background experience to help.

Going Live

Along the hike, Ford noticed more and more strangers followed her Instagram. Thanks to her social media presence, she found new fans around the world. They latched on to her "Everyone deserves to be outside" motto and cheered on Emily as she made history. It truly was a feat for the record books, though Ford also stressed the importance of preparation. Not every solo hiker was so successful.

2,200 Miles

Some adventurers drop out; others meet even worse fates. Winding its way through 14 states, the Appalachian Trail is not for the faint of heart. The 2,200-mile path is marked by rugged terrain and extreme climates, and of the nearly 4,000 experienced hikers that set out on the A.T. each year, only about a quarter hike to completion.

Geraldine "Gerry" Largay

Those odds aren't great, but for Geraldine "Gerry" Largay, they were still odds worth taking. The 66-year-old retired nurse from Tennessee was searching for her next great adventure, and in the spring of 2013, she decided that the Appalachian Trail was just that.

Setting Out

Despite an anxious nature, Gerry resolved to hike the trail without her husband, George, believing this challenge was one she needed to overcome alone. Still, that didn't stop her childhood friend Jane Lee from tagging along in pursuit of her own life-changing adventure.

Harper's Ferry

And so, on April 23, 2013, the two women set off on their first leg of the Appalachian Trail, entering through a trail opening in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Unlike most who tackle the A.T., however, Gerry and Jane decided to go about their hike a little differently.

Taking Precautions

Instead of thru-hiking the trail with no assistance, Gerry and Jane were met along the way by George, who would resupply them and even take them to a hotel for the evening to shower and rest. After all, these women were in their 60s — the less risk they had to take on the trail, the better.

Easily Lost

Yet age wasn't the only factor that made the hike a dangerous endeavor. Gerry had a notoriously poor sense of direction and would often make wrong turns along the trail, making these short stops — as well as Jane's presence — all the more essential.

Jane Bails Out

Despite these precautions, however, Gerry and Jane's adventure came to a grinding halt just two months in. After getting word of a family emergency back home, Jane was forced to abandon their hike just a few miles into New Hampshire.

Keeping Firm

Before she did, Jane implored her companion to return home with her, believing that Gerry wasn't equipped to handle the remaining stretch of the A.T. But Gerry wouldn't be swayed — she was going to finish what she started.

Steady Progress

Over the next few weeks, the 66-year-old steadily made her way through New Hampshire and into Maine, the finish line in sight. She rested briefly on July 22, and a group of fellow hikers snapped this picture of her.

No Communication

Perhaps seeing this photo would've calmed George's nerves, as two days after it was taken, he received no word from Gerry despite scheduling a call with her to check in. When the 24th came and went without sign of his wife, George knew he had to act.

Days of Searching

He contacted the Maine Department of Parks and Recreation, who immediately summoned a search party for what would become the largest manhunt in state history. For 20 days, volunteers combed every inch of Maine wilderness, though by the end, Gerry was still nowhere to be found.

Possible Explanations

Heartbroken, George and the rest of Largay family had no choice but to assume the worse and held a memorial service for the beloved wife and mother later that year. But had Gerry really perished on the trail? Some investigators weren't so sure.

Strange Sightings

According to one witness, a woman matching Gerry's description was spotted wandering through a nearby town, though around the same time, another witness claimed to have seen Gerry living in a women's shelter back in Tennessee. Investigators were stumped, though in October 2015, they finally got their answers.

Tent Scraps

While filming an episode of North Woods Law, an Animal Planet film crew stumbled upon a crumpled yellow tent just a half mile off the Appalachian Trail. They assumed it had been left behind by a hiker who had set up camp off the trail. They were wrong.

Finding a Body

Beneath the rotting remains of the tent was a body so decayed that the crew was unsure police would even be able to identify it. Further investigation uncovered a journal tucked beneath the corpse, and inside, they discovered a heartbreaking truth.

A Tragic Note

The body belonged to Geraldine Largay, who, according to the journal, had wandered off the A.T. shortly after chatting with the hikers on July 22 and was unable to find her way back. With the trail out of sight and her supplies dwindling, she waited for help, which never came.

Final Words

Most tragic of all, however, was the final note she left behind: "When you find my body please call my husband, George, and my daughter Kerry. It will be the greatest kindness for them to know that I am dead and where you find me – no matter how many years from now."

26 Days

Incredibly, Gerry had survived 26 days alone in the Maine wilderness and wrote in her journal right up until the very end. And while the search for the missing hiker had ended sometime around August 4, 2013, the journal showed she was still alive as late as August 18.

Finding Closure

With this news, George and the Largays were finally able rest easy knowing that Gerry was at peace. Despite losing the love of his life, George says he has no regrets about encouraging Gerry to hike the trail because she died doing what she loved: living life to the fullest.