Age and the UL backpacker

[Eric Blumensaadt]

At 80 and well into geezerhood I’m getting into even lighter gear than when I was in my 60s. An Osprey EXOS pack, REI Flash 3 season insulated air mattress, WM Megalite down mummy, TT Notch Li Dyneema solo tent, Crux folding canister top stove etc.

Yeah, there are lighter packs but I love the comfort of that pack, and smaller mattresses but again, comfort. The Notch Li is a double wall but the interior is extremely light and totally bug proof plus adds a bit of warmth and keeps out dust here in the southwest.

It’s things like a SPOT rescue beacon and light but rugged waterproof  Olympus TG4 camera that add those extra ounces. My medical kit is smaller and I’ve often left my SteriPen at home using only Katadyn chlorine dioxide tablets and a few #2 coffee filters. At altitude I know I need my light down “sweater” and can use it to sleep in if it gets down into the 20s F.

One spare briefs and pair of socks, sleep shirt, eVent parka and no wind shirt. nylon baseball hat or “desert hat” with new protector. All clothing is synthetic B/C I don’t like wool’s sweat absorption.

Th-th-that’s it folks. Any suggestions, especially from other backpacking geezers? (besides a lighter rain parka)

[Atif Khan]

Eric, I’m impressed that you are 80, because from your other posts I had imagined someone half your age. There seems to be little more that you can do to lightening your pack beyond some incremental gains. So my suggestions relate more to you than your pack.

I am only 53 but my father is still active at 88 and these are some of the things that I learned from him, some or all of which you may already be doing, so apologies in advance if they do not apply:

1. Strength train: Deadlifts, squats, and presses are the main ones but you can add others. Start very light and have a trainer correct your form. Sullivan and Baker’s “Barbell Prescription” is an excellent book for masters.

2. Drink broth daily: Just one cup for the joints, with the bones, ideally trotters, simmered for at least 12 hours, the way Sally Fallon describes in “Nourishing Traditions.”

3. Give up refined carbs: They sticky up the joints. Especially the main culprits: sugar, white flour, white pasta, and white rice. Replace with a low carb diet of mostly vegetables and legumes, with some meat, and a small amount of whole grains and whole fruit.

4. Feed your gut: Good bacteria from yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and other sources strengthens your immunological response.

[Brian W]

I’d get an Apple Watch with fall detection for safety reasons. Mine is set to on when recording a fitness event. So it’s active for my day hikes. If I fall and get injured, my phone will notify my emergency contacts and call 911. It’s saved a bunch of folks locally by me.

I’d look at the Garmin messenger as an upgrade from the Spot.

And I love my Exos to for both carrying water and making a bear canister more comfortable on my back.

[David Thomas]

When I was leading BPing trips in the Sierra in the 1980s, one of our regular clients, a psychologist about 70 (he also invented a bear bagging device using a sailing jam cleat), had a nice approach for reducing carried weight: He brought his son along.  That way, he could have the longer, wider, thicker CampRest pad, etc, without carrying any more weight himself.

In my 40s and 50s, I was carrying our kids’ stuff while saying, “Pretty soon, they’ll be carrying my stuff.”  At 57 and with a recently sprained ankle on the Chilkoot Trail that came to pass and my 17-y-o son was able to take his and my packs on the rough bits and keep us moving ahead.

I could imagine college students who’d be happy, in return for the permitting logistics, drive to the trailhead and meals to be covered, to get 10 pounds of your gear to camp.

[Glen L]

We met an 86 year old woman backpacking down in the canyons of Escalante with a small group of younger women. She looked very happy to be there. Her pack was small and light

I used to do a lot of soloing but now girlfriend always comes along. Having a hiking buddy becomes a bit more important as we age. Might not be totally necessary but not a bad idea either. I like the camaraderie but we have always had the same mindset.

[Nick Gatel]

Th-th-that’s it folks. Any suggestions, especially from other backpacking geezers? (besides a lighter rain parka)

I’m a lot younger than you at 73. Everyone ages differently so there may be “compromises” that are unique to the individual.

I haven’t changed my gear much in the last 15 years or so, except going to a NeoAir (different models for the seasons). I’m a side sleeper. That’s my concession to old age.

On most trips my base weight is now around 7-10 lb. and with food and water around 30-35 lb. works fine. Exactly the same as it was 10 years ago. Base weight is higher in winter snow conditions, but I don’t need to carry much water, as I do in deserts.

I don’t hike as fast as I once did, but usually can keep up with the youngins’ if I am in decent shape. I do watch what I eat (actually my wife, the meanie, controls my diet). At 5’11” I try to stay around 150 lb. During COVID I gained quite a bit of weight and it really negatively impacted my hiking. So body weight and the fitness to get it at a healthy point is important. Other than walking around town, I don’t do much exercising — I guess the point is that I am lucky with some good genes. But most of my adult life I ran a lot without any injuries.

Nowadays I am concerned with my balance. I haven’t had any falls, but I know my reaction times have decreased. So I am much more careful and deliberate, especially when off-trail, which is how I hike most of the time. I do everything wrong: hike solo, don’t carry and PLB, etc. I might get one of those PLBs one of these days if my wife becomes paranoid about me hiking alone. One of those iPhones with “fall detection” or whatever it is wouldn’t do me any good because I purposely hike where there is no cell coverage; those are the best places with the fewest people.

[Jerry Adams]

I’m 69

I noticed my balance crossing streams wasn’t as good. And I couldn’t put on pants without holding onto something.

I’ve been stationary biking and especially doing squats with 5 pound dumbbells – much better balance now

Brenda likes me to carry inreach and msg where I’m camping. Once she had some issue so I came home a day early.  Cellphone doesn’t work where I go

[Glen L]

The latest iPhones have satellite connectivity now and don’t need a cell signal to communicate if you are in distress. They do have dedicated gps chip sets and can send location. Don’t think there is any fall communication yet but this just started with my iPhone 14 Pro Max and it’s a year old now.

[Brian W]

Glen L.

Some info on fall detection and satellite with more current iPhones and Apple Watches.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208944#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20iPhone%2014,about%20Emergency%20SOS%20via%20satellite.

[Nick Gatel]

Hmmm . . .

My cell phone is a iPhone SE 1st generation and old. But it does what I need it to do — make an occasional phone call. My watch is an old Timex. Probably would cost me $1,500 to $2,000 to upgrade. That money will buy a lot of gas to get to trailheads ;-)

[Glen L]

Thanks for the info Brian. There is Fall detection with the latest iPhone and Apple Watch using satellite connectivity. My vision is very low so looking at something as small as a watch and seeing details is very difficult. However that is very interesting.

[David D]

So impressed to see you still out there at that age.  There’s hope yet for us younger miscreants!

I’m a broken record on this but lightweight backpacking’s biggest blind spot seems to be in meal planning weight reduction.  Gear skeptic’s spreadsheet approach was invaluable for this while still allowing nutrition and enjoyment.  Possible to shave a couple lbs off a 1 week carry (without a dehydrator) even with a “lightweight” starting point.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I’m only 57, and I am female. I usually bring about 7 or 8lbs of gear. It’s often more than I need. I should figure out how to bring even less. A little discomfort doesn’t bother me unless it’s rain, then I’m bothered a lot. Even though California recently went through a decade or so of drought, I swear every time I went out it rained on me.

[Monte Masterson]

If you like the Exos 58 then you might consider the Exos 55 Pro. I haven’t tried one myself but I’ve read lots of positive reviews. The Pro knocks off almost 12 oz weight! On sale for the mid 2 hundreds. Sectionhiker did a review on the pack last winter and there are YT videos as well. https://sectionhiker.com/osprey-exos-pro-55-backpack-review/

https://www.osprey.com/featured/gift-guide/exos-pro-55-exospro55s23-482#color=Dale%2520Grey%252FAgam%2520Blue

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Atif, Jerry, David, Nick, Diane and all, thanks for the good advice. Know you are all experienced because it was all good advice. I do exercise regularly with a BOWFLEX machine and free weights and when temps are hot here in the ‘Vegas valley (90s and 100s) I use a treadmill, hiking boots and a 30 lb. pack while watching Star Trek Deep Space Nine. :o)

I hear you about the GARMIN In Reach and plan to get one. The fall detector likely not. I still ski so balance ain’t a problem. But the rescue beacon is a must. I did find a hiking buddy who is also retired but he’s young (64) and a former Green Beret who skied with German and Austrian mountain troops so he’s solid if I needed help.

This spring I passed an extensive heart workup with flying colors. I guess the XC ski and bicycle racing in my 30s thru 50s has stood me in good stead. I’m taking collagen tablets and amazingly it’s helped my joints feel better with no transient aches as I used to have. My wife says my hair looks better too so there’s that.

The one big thing I need to do is lose 15 pounds, which I plan to do by March with 6 days of workouts per week. (Even God rested one day.)

I feel lucky to have good knees and heart so I’ll “keep on trucking'” until I can’t. I would like another 5 years of backpacking then I’ll resort to car camping and exploring BLM land on my e-mountain bike, which I use for hunting. In Nevada hunting is all about covering the miles.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement. I have grown to love this community and its “characters” like Nick and Jerry (that’s a compliment guys).

I’m making a “sentimental journey” to the Snow Creek section of the PCT near Wildwood, CA where I worked in 1980 for 115 days in the summer building 9 miles of the original tread of the PCT that the Forest Service had marked with stakes. Bell Brothers Trail Builders was my employer. I had Nordic Ski Patrolled the ’80 winter Olympics with Bruce Bell and pestered him until he hired me that summer.

Frikkin’ tough work but $12.90/hour, a lot for a laborer in those days and we teachers always needed summer jobs. My final bit of advice is to remember, “The first hundred years are the hardest – and most fun.”

[Terran Terran]

Keiser stationary bike. No gimmicks. TV on the wall and crank up YouTube. Some light hand weights.

The property keeps me active. Homesteader for a few years, but having animals kept me from traveling.

Use it or lose it.

I find ultralight to be a lifestyle. Not just for backpacking. Live lighter. It’s more comfortable.

[Jerry Adams]

I think Eric is another one of the characters on this site :)

[Gerry B.]

My father-in-law, legally blind and 95 years old, works out a minimum of an hour a day in his basement using a treadmill, rowing machine and a weight machine.  In his Vermont accent, he likes to say that his doctor told him year ago, “If ya don’t use it, ya lose it”!

[Dan]

Way to go, Eric, you’re an inspiration. And your gear list seems very dialed-in. Sure, some things could be a little lighter, but you have good reasons for your choices. I know that I could go much lighter by eliminating my tent and gravity feed system, but I really enjoy using both of them, so I’m not going to change.

[Steve Thompson]

Eric,

Congrats on killing it at 80!  I’ve nothing to offer in terms of lightening your load.  I am 66 and slower than I was at 50 so have been working on endurance and what it takes from fuel, hydration, and pace to hike long days (14 or more hours) and still feel strong.  I lift, and run, but lost the half-marathon ability during covid…though feel as if I have a shot at getting it back by early next year.

So if I have a suggestion, focus on endurance.

Back in 1990 I met an 85 year old man and his great grand-daughter breaking trail through a snow covered Junction Pass in the Sierra.  He said, “hiking sun up to sun down, the only difference now from when I was your age is that 8 miles is a long day.”  His words have stuck with me and now, as I feel the onset of age, really ring true.

My take-away has always been to maintain endurance, the ability to hike sun up to sun down, and even beyond.  I no longer go as fast but keeping the ability to go long I can still get the miles needed to go deep into the backcountry.

[David Keltie]

Re balance. 76 year old here and was concerned about growing unsteadiness on trail. Took up Tai Chi 3 years ago and found it helped considerably. I now use my poles to propel me or to slow down when descending rather than for balance.

[Tom D.]

I’m 58, had knee surgery 10 years ago and a heart attack 3 years ago. Lunges along with balancing exercises on one foot are what I use to strengthen the lower body. I’ve gone to a low carb diet with 16:8 intermittent fasting in everyday life, though I don’t do the fasting while on trail.

The one thing I’ve added to my gear recently is a Helionox Zero chair. My hiking routine is to get up early and get into camp early, and those hours before going to bed are so much more comfortable with the chair that I’ve deemed it worth the pound of extra weight. My base weight is still right about 10 lbs. I would not have carried one 10 years ago.

I’ve also used Gear Skeptics’s spreadsheet (and added to it) to figure out calorie to weight ratios and lighten my overall food load on multi-day hikes.

[Geoff Caplan]

Hi Eric

I’m pushing 70, so am still a mere sprig compared to you. But I’m also having to cope with moderate chronic ME, and I have to put in a fair bit of effort to keep in hiking shape.

Here are some suggestions that go beyond the mainstream, if you are open to exploring more innovative ideas.

First, ergonomics.

I find the classic combination of zero-drop minimalist shoes, the Aarn body pack and the PacerPole to be a gamechanger.

I rabbit on about this regularly so I’ll spare you the details, but the combination enables a more natural gait which offers significant benefits for stamina and balance, and which reduces the risk of injury, aches and pains. This has been proven in the lab and by an enthusiastic group of users in the field. Well worth researching.

Second, resistance exercise.

Without a smart programme we all lose significant muscle mass as we age, and this has all kinds of baleful effects on stamina, balance and risk of injury. With ME, I simply can’t maintain a traditional programme of heavy lifting. And in any case, as we age heaving large lumps of iron around can generate undesirable wear and tear.

After many years of research and experimentation I have settled on a modality known as Timed Static Contraction. This emerged from a group of noted coaches, exercise physiologists and medics who gathered around the legendary coach and innovator Arthur Jones. It was developed specifically to be safe and effective for older people, but it’s proving so powerful that they are increasingly using it with their elite athletes as well. It is easy to learn, cheap, convenient and time-efficient. But above all it is highly effective and exceptionally safe. Again – it’s well worth researching.

[AK Granola]

Yoga helps tremendously with balance, strength, flexibility and the ability to crawl, squat and sit on the ground. My former yoga teacher lived to 85 with full upright posture, and good bone strength; her dexa scans were outstanding. She had gotten rid of her household furniture and sat on the floor most of the time to improve flexibility.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Thanks again guys.

Goeff, I’ll look up Timed Contraction. My resistance training with a Bowflex is gentle and I use a 5 count for both positive and negative movements

AK, I know I should have begun yoga decades ago but I have a Hatha yoga DVD so I will try it. I kinda want to try Tai Chi as well for balance maintenance. My feeling is I’ve been blessed with fairly good genes for physicality so if I “maintain” I can get another 5 years or so of backpacking before car camping sets in.

It’s been a blessing to be a BPL member and get the best “tribal wisdom” on the topic, not to mention the humor that seems to lubricate this site.

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