Missing hiker found dead on Appalachian Trail's family hit back at wardens description of her

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The family of a hiker who went missing along the Appalachian Trail before her remains were found two years later has hit back at report into her death.

According to the Maine Warden Service document, Geraldine Largay, 66, who died in 2013, was afraid of the dark, suffered from an anxiety disorder and unable to use a compass.

Quoting a friend who walked part of the route with her, the report says Largay took a wrong turn off the trail 'more than once' and became 'flustered and combative when she made such mistakes'.

However, relatives say a journal found alongside her skeletal remains in 2015 proves she was 'lucid and thinking of others' right up until she died.

Geraldine Largay, 66 Largay pictured with husband George

Geraldine Largay, 66 (left and right with husband George) died in 2013 after getting lost on the Appalachian Trail in Maine and a report into her death painted her as anxious and prone to getting lost

Largay began hiking almost 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail back in summer 2013 alongside nurse and friend Jane Lee, who had agreed to accompany her, the Morning Sentinel reports.

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The pair were met by Largay's husband, George, at various pre-arranged stops so he could bring them supplies and occasionally take them to a motel for a shower and a night indoors.

Largay's relatives today hit back at that characterization of her, saying she was experience and lucid right up until she died

Largay's relatives today hit back at that characterization of her, saying she was experience and lucid right up until she died

But around two months into the hike, Lee was forced to leave in order to go home and tend to a family emergency, leaving Largay by herself. 

On June 23 she failed to meet up with her husband at a stop along the Franklin-Somerset county line, and witnesses reported last seeing at a lean-to on Poplar Ridge.

Interviewed after Largay went missing, Lee revealed that she 'had a poor sense of direction' and while she had packed a compass, she didn't know how to use it.

She added that 'that George did not know the extent of Geraldine’s inability to deal with the rigors and challenges of the trail'.

A doctor also revealed that she was taking anxiety medication and that, without out it, she was prone to having panic attacks. 

While George insisted that his wife was a good hiker, he did later admit to an investigator that 'Gerry was probably in over her head,' the report says.

However, since the 1,500-page document was published earlier this week, the family have hit out at what they see as an unfair portrayal of Largay.

A statement, issued to the Boston Globe by a spokesman, said: 'Gerry was doing exactly what she wanted to do. 

'She’d hiked a thousand miles - after 200 miles of training hikes the year prior - and as the warden’s report indicates, she was lucid and thinking of others, as always, until the end. 

'Her final days were a testament to her bravery, resourcefulness, and her faith.'

Elsewhere the report revealed that Largay had survived for more than three weeks after getting lost before dying of lack of food and exposure.

Despite one of the largest search efforts in Maine's history, Largay's remains would not be found for another two years still inside her sleeping bag in her tent (pictured) 

Despite one of the largest search efforts in Maine's history, Largay's remains would not be found for another two years still inside her sleeping bag in her tent (pictured) 

The report into her death concluded that Largay died from lack of food and exposure more than three weeks after wandering off the trail and being unable to find her way back 

The report into her death concluded that Largay died from lack of food and exposure more than three weeks after wandering off the trail and being unable to find her way back 

Perhaps most distressing was the discovery of her journal, which contained a heartbreaking final request, dated August 6: '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 found me - no matter how many years from now. 

'Please find it in your heart to mail the contents of this bag to one of them.' 

She also attempted to text her husband after getting lost, but the messages never went through because of poor reception.

According to the New York Times, one of the texts read: 'Lost since yesterday. Off trail 3 or 4 miles. Call police for what to do pls.'

Wardens believe Largay went to higher ground in an attempt to get better signal before making camp on a raised knoll.

Her kit, which included a tent, Mylar blanket and rain gear were all used during her almost month-long ordeal.

Officers are also filmed examining her possessions, which were all contained in resealable bags

Officers are also filmed examining her possessions, which were all contained in resealable bags

Perhaps most distressing was the discovery of her journal, which contained a heartbreaking final request, dated August 6: 'When you find my body, please call my husband George and my daughter Kerry'

Perhaps most distressing was the discovery of her journal, which contained a heartbreaking final request, dated August 6: 'When you find my body, please call my husband George and my daughter Kerry'

That is the same kit seen in Animal Planet reality series, North Woods Law, as the crew captured the moment Largay's remains were uncovered by Maine wardens. 

The October 2015 footage, acquired by InsideEdition.com, shows a visibly shaken Maine Warden officer pulling back the tarpaulin of Largay's tent to see her remains, which were inside her sleeping bag, underneath.

Officers are also filmed examining her possessions, which were all contained in resealable bags. 

Her driver's license is shown to the camera, giving confirmation, if any was needed, that this was Largay's final resting place. 

Warden Kris Maccabe, who was at the scene, told the camera: 'There's nobody that wanted to bring her home more than we did. I really feel for the family.' 

Following her disappearance, the Warden Service launched one of the largest and most extensive search operations in its history in order to try and track her down. 

The search area covered 23 square miles and involved teams of wardens and volunteers scouring the terrain.

Authorities believe Largay wandered off the Appalachain trail in order to relieve herself, but got lost and was unable to find her way back. Phone records show she tried to text her husband, but had no signal

Authorities believe Largay wandered off the Appalachain trail in order to relieve herself, but got lost and was unable to find her way back. Phone records show she tried to text her husband, but had no signal

At one point a dog crew led by wardens came within 100 yards of her campsite, according to the Portland Press Herald, but her remains were not discovered.

Wardens say the fact that the remains were inside a sealed tent likely meant the dogs were unable to pick up on her scent. 

The area where she was discovered was described as being so densely forested that only trained wardens had been allowed to search there.

The property where Largay's body was recovered is part of a U.S. Navy's survival skills training facility. 

The Navy uses the area for its Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape program and as such it is remote and not easily accessible.

The warden service said in a statement that the search for Largay was 'one of Maine's most unique and challenging search and rescue efforts'. 

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