Wife Who Vanished While Hiking The Appalachian Trail Turns Up 2 Years Later

66-year-old Geraldine Largay of Tennessee was never one to shy away from a challenge, no matter how extreme. However, one obstacle did ultimately prove too much for her when, after setting off on one of the most difficult hiking trails in North America, she disappeared without a trace. Her friends and family grieved, praying for closure that they feared would never come. That is, until years later, with Geraldine’s whereabouts still unknown, when a TV crew made an unexpected discovery that left her loved ones speechless.

Hiking The Appalachian Trail

For hiking enthusiasts, the Appalachian Trail is considered one of the most breathtaking thru-hiking experiences in the world. Winding its way through 14 states, the A.T. is the perfect way to experience all the beauty that the U.S.'s eastern coast has to offer.

Not For The Faint of Heart

But make no mistake — 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.

Woman Seeking Adventure

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.

Childhood Friend Trip

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.