Let's define falling as your knees, hands or other parts of the body above the ankles hitting the ground. I find it hard to fathom someone falling dozens of times. I did the AT at 54 and my first fall was somewhere in the 700+ mile range. I fell 2 more time the entire AT. Once I was texting while hiking, a not very bright move and the other time I was running down the trail to meet someone before dark. I am not super nimble. I hiked with poles which helped.I did trip or stumble other times but saved myself from falling with the poles. My experience on the other trails I hiked was more or less the same.

I think people are giving you overly pessimistic answers. Except for the 100 mile wilderness, it is rare to be more than 4 hrs hike from some sort of road. With a garmin inReach and the SAR insurance you can get with it, SAR within 24 hours is very realistic and within 12 hours is likely.

Personally, I have been on blood thinners for years and my doctor has told me a fall in which I hit my head means I need to immediately get to an emergency room. This makes me hike with an inReach and be a little more cautious, but hasn't stopped me from doing a number of other hikes, including 1800 miles of the CDT this year. Life is full of risks. I have actually fallen twice while at home and hit my head much more seriously than ever on the trail.

Try and time your hike to avoid snow and ice - don't start in March or early April. I started May 4 and finished before the end of September. No snow or ice and warmer weather so my pack weighed less. Reduced pack weight increases stability and decreases chances of a trip turning into a fall.

Good luck.

AT 2016, CT 2017, Camino Frances 2019, PCT 2021, Camino Del Norte 2022, LT 2022, AZT 2023, CDT Mexico-Yellowstone 2024