Is backpacking only for the young!

I think endurance increases up to a point, around age 27 for men, then begins to decrease.

But it decreases very slowly.

How slowly? Well, I read once that your endurance does not have to be less than it was at age 19, until you are 64. This is why geezers can compete in ultramarathons.

Joint issues, are a different story.

Proved that it declines VERY slowly!

I'm 70 approaching 71 and right now I'm in our study with gear all around me packing for a deer hunt in the Ruby Mountains of northern Nevada – solo.

I do work out to stay in shape with weight training at least twice weekly and hiking with 35 lbs. 4 to 5 days a week for 5 miles. That plus skiing at high altitude seems to keep me in shape for backpacing.

So yes, Virginia, there IS life after 50 for backpackers.

I solved the problem of approaching geezerhood. I quit celebrating birthdays.

That was a tip passed on to me by President Truman.

–B.G.–

"That was a tip passed on to me by President Truman."

Doesn't seem to have worked out so well for him. ;0)

[Truman]

"Doesn't seem to have worked out so well for him."

I don't know. He lived to a ripe old age, even older than you, Tom.

–B.G.–

"I don't know. He lived to a ripe old age, even older than you, Tom."

I never said it was going to work out any better for me. Nobody gets out of here alive, you know. ;0)

"Nobody gets out of here alive, you know."

That's what President Roosevelt used to always tell me.

Teddy, not Franklin.

–B.G.–

I'll turn 61 in a few weeks. In May of this year I went on my first backpack in 43 years, albeit just a 12mi overniter. In August I took my first solo trip, a very nice hike along the Kern River. It's been quite a journey, from catching up on all the equipment changes, to acquiring gear to getting these old legs trail worthy (process ongoing…). I recently volunteered for some trail work in the Los Padres Natl Forest. I pulled in to the campground / gathering point expecting to see a bunch of young bucks but no…it was rather a bunch of grey headed guys like me. In Fact, I was the youngun' on the team I was asigned to! Us old guys put in a good days work! Heading out again in a few weeks for another overniter, but I'm looking forward to a some multi-day trips next year. Seeiong the back-country again after so many years?…priceless.

"Seeiong the back-country again after so many years?…priceless."

Almost unbearably sweet, wasn't it? Get used to it, Steve. It only gets more intense with every passing trip. Something to do with knowing more of your trips are behind you than in front of you, I think, and how incredibly precious each one is. Each one is a gift from the mountain gods to those willing to put in the long hours of hard work that are the price of admission for those who still have the passion after all those years.

Unrelated question: Do you, by any chance, have relatives in Maine?

Reading these posts reminds me why I hate Tom Kirchner so much! :)

Hi Tom, yes I have extended family in Maine. Many cousins, in fact. We came west to Cal in 1958, so I have only seen my extended family a few times over the years, but we do stasy in touch. I take it you know some Genest's?

Thanks for sharing this Eric…you are an inspiration!

"Reading these posts reminds me why I hate Tom Kirchner so much!"

;O) I'm sitting here chuckling at the prospect of you in my shoes 20 years from now, with a whole new younger generation hating you. My guess is that you are going to be around for a good long time. You have good strong legs, eat right, live a relatively stress free life, and are financially secure. The only thing that will stop you is loss of desire. Like I said, a good long time. Besides, you're too darn ornery to just up and quit. ;-)

Quit complaining about geezers, or else I will hit you over the head with my cane.

–B.G.–

"I take it you know some Genest's?"

Yes, Leo, a member in good standing of the Seattle Chapter of the Genest diaspora. He and I have done some good trips down thru the years. He's from that tough French Canadian stock that came down from Quebec to work in the mills. A great backpacker and good all around man. Here's a link to a writeup of my last trip with him, back in 2011, if you're interested. It'll give you some idea of where he's at these days if you haven't been in touch with him in a while.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=59389

Edited for grammar.

Genest is not a common name in the US, but there's bunch of us in Quebec. Like your friend, my ancestors came over to work the mills. I do know of others such as Leo but I'm uncertain as to relations. Good to know he's a backpacker!

"Good to know he's a backpacker!"

Probably also good to know that he's 65 and still going strong. Based on what you have in common, I predict you'll ramp up and still be going strong many years from now. Welcome back.

Thanks, Tom. Your take on this whole late in life return to backpacking hit the nail on the head for me. Time to stop questioning myself as to why I waited so long to enjoy the backcountry experience again and just appreciate that it's happened!

"Time to stop questioning myself as to why I waited so long to enjoy the backcountry experience again and just appreciate that it's happened!"

+1

Looking back and questioning yourself just takes focus and energy away from planning your next adventure. Looking forward to a trip report from you in the not too distant future.