Over the hill? - Appalachian Trail

imported
#21

There is great variation in hikers, but here’s some generalizations from my PCT. Of course these are just generalizations, and your mileage may vary…

Older hikers tend to hike slower and steadier. Fewer zero days, fewer high-mileage days, shorter town stays, fewer side trips. More focus on getting miles done every day. Generally tend to plan more as they hike, trying to hike as smart as possible, e.g. thinking ahead several days to line up for hot climbs in the morning. Older hikers tend to depend less on candy bars, and more often have their own home-made recipes. Older hikers have a wide variety of gear, some ultra-light, and others with a good share of classical gear. Some older hikers get in shape before the hike, some just start slow on the trail and build up. Older hikers tend to have a good tolerance for aches and pains, but also know exactly how far to push the body and when to slow down --that knowledge might be the most important point. Basically any older hiker in reasonable shape can hike quite successfully if they have determination, tenacity and a little luck.

Steady

#22

I’ll never forget how much the old-timers humbled me on the PCT hike this year. How many times I tried in vain to catch ‘ol’ Steady and fell short because he got up earlier and stayed out later. Cicely B is another. She and Steady, thanks to very supportive spouses and a disciplined attitude about the reasons they were out there, spent far less time in town and just kept plugging away at it. In both my thru-hikes, I find the more seasoned hikers seem to be most at ease, the least worried about completion and have the higher success rates. They are truly inspiring, emulating a way of life, of being, I hope to achieve when I’m older.

raru

#23

From another 52er - the Monday AM question at my 30-yr old son’s job is usually “so how did your ol’ man kick your ass this weekend?” Though only able to get in 500 miles/yr during vacations the past several years, I’m hoping to be out of cube land and long distance packing in '07 at the “old age” of 54. I just watch my training a bit more carefully now, slowly adding miles & elevation over time. I also work all body parts in the Gym to keep everything in balance. Watch the overtraining on legs (tendonitis on outside of knees when packing downhill) - I quit doing squats first, then dropped leg presses, now sticking mostly with some machine extensions/curls mid-week only, to allow plenty of rest for weekend hiking (plus cardio tues-Thurs). And don’t forget the Glucosomine and vitamin I (and DHEA for the over-40 males in the bunch). Eating right, not smoking, and limiting alcohol as you get older doesn’t hurt either. Not much different from trying to maintain an old classic automobile.

OregonHikerDave

#24

You are not too old. I did my thru in 2001 at the age of 66 years old. My pack weight was 36 lb. on avg. It took me 201 days. Didn’t have any physical problems. It is and probably will be the greatest adventure of my life.
Met several folks older than me doing a thru.

Grampie

#25

Its great that lighter weight gear has enabled alot of age diversity in distance hiking. Hiking is at least 90% psychological and part of that psychology is knowing your limits,young as well as young at heart. Despite lighter gear,though, a person’s spirit and drive is as important. What I think is a determing factor in being able to hike say 1000mi a year for 20+ years,is whata person did occupationally. If you worked as a commerical hot tar roofer for 20 years,obviously your knees and back have more wear than a cubedweller. Alot has been said about glucasamine and chroditin, but I think that antioxidants are important factors in connective tissue recovery/regeneration. If you are over 50,definitely explore the nutritional aspects of making your body function at a different age than your actual one in years. Your feet are as important as your mindset,if your arches have fallen,get good orthotics. There are many ways to customize your hike including fully supported or modifications thereof. It will be interesting to follow the future of many long term distance hikers and how they age. Emerson hiked over 100,ooomi in his frequent strolls throughout New England. Happy Trails,2 Spirits

mike

#26

John, You are not too old so get out there. You will have the time of your life. My wife and i hiked the trail in 2001 and i was 63. It sure put me back in shape. Good luck.
comer

Comer & Jean

#27

You are a pup compared to the guy who taught me how to hike and kicked my 22 year old butt the first 2 weeks I did the trail. JisJohn was 63 I believe and was an amzing hiker.

windex

#28

“You don’t quit hiking when you grow old; you grow old when you quit hiking.”:girl

Eagle Eye

#29

I wish to thank ya’ll for your encouragement. I’ve come to realize over the years, that dreams are only dreams until one does something about them.I have all intentions of fullfilling mine,I just never realized there were so many others of like mind. I will see you out there. again thank you, John B.

john