I am 61 and have been 4 season backpacking since a teenager. As I age I’ve had to lighten up the pack to keep my mileage up. Typically I hike about 15 miles a day. Presently I carry about 10 lbs base weight and my hips and knees are happy. Many THANKS to this site to discover ways to drop the weight. There are numerous trails close to home, Susquehannock Trail System STS, and often backpack the weekends right after work on Friday. Chris