Karen Doerzaph now has a plaque from the Guinness World Data in her dwelling labeling her a world document holder.
PHOENIX — For a lot of, it’s the journey of a lifetime—a grueling, 43-mile hike throughout the Grand Canyon and again once more, often called the “Rim to Rim to Rim.” With dramatic elevation shifts, unpredictable climate, and sheer bodily calls for, the journey is a check of endurance, spirit, and willpower.
For Karen Doerzaph of Queen Creek, it was additionally a chance to make historical past.
At 76 years previous, Doerzaph accomplished the trek in October in 36 and a half hours, changing into the oldest girl on document.
“I really like the canyon. Love being outside. It is my favourite train exercise,” Doerzaph stated.
She paused for moments of pleasure and reflection at scenic factors like Cedar Ridge, Skeleton Level, and Phantom Ranch. However this hike wasn’t about how briskly she might end—it was about proving one thing much more private.
“There was no time,” she stated. “We solely went for the oldest girl to do it, not the quickest at this age.”
Doerzaph’s journey to the document started months earlier, throughout an tried hike in April 2024. That journey was minimize brief by a rock slide, forcing her to cease at mile 33. However the setback solely fueled her dedication.
“I’m going, ‘Ah, I really feel adequate. May’ve completed it,” she recalled. “Then somebody sends me an article that the oldest girl to do it was 61, and I used to be 75 on the time. I stated, ‘I can beat that!'”
Her husband, David, contacted Guinness World Data. The affirmation got here again: If profitable, Karen would beat the standing document by a girl who was 61 years previous on the time.
With that, Karen and her mountain climbing accomplice, John Kloster, set their sights on October. Backed by the assist of family and friends, Karen hit the path as soon as extra—this time, decided to complete.
“Have a great hike, Karen and John,” buddies known as out, lending encouragement as she started the journey that might quickly make her a world document holder.
“The assist system meant the world to me, as a result of generally you undergo life feeling like ‘I am simply an previous woman, and I’ve a number of buddies,’ however and everyone has been so encouraging and making an attempt their finest to ensure we did it, after which saying congratulations,” Karen stated.
John’s position as her mountain climbing accomplice, as he put it, was to get her throughout and again out of the canyon in a single piece and with a smile on her face.
“I used to be by no means so proud to be doing one thing of a bodily nature as I used to be, in going alongside this journey with Karen,” John stated. “I might hope that anyone who sees this and will get any spark from it might get motivated to do one thing for themselves.”
In the present day, a plaque from Guinness sits in her dwelling, commemorating a title few others can declare.
And whereas she is now a world document holder, Karen says she hopes her journey evokes others to set their minds to a aim, regardless of how lofty it might be, and work to realize it each single day.
“It’s nothing particular. You realize, age is only a quantity, as they are saying. However if you wish to do it—do it,” Karen stated.
