Life does not end when one reaches the half century
milestone and beyond. In fact the adventure is just beginning. I’ve had several
ask in forums if it’s possible to do a long distance hike in the older years. Of
course! It’s never too late to enjoy an adventure and make the most out of every
outdoor
opportunity. So the answer to - can I do it - is YES. Take a look at “Drag’n
Fly” who became the oldest female thru hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Or “Nimblewill Nomad” who continues to meander on trails (actually hiking every one of the
major trails in the US). Backpacking over fifty can have interesting challenges,
but none are so insurmountable that you can’t enjoy a weekend, a week long or even
a long distance trek. But it does take planning.
To begin with, getting cleared by the doctor to begin your
new trekking adventure is important.
Make sure any current medical issues you
are dealing with are either resolved or stabilized. One hiker had a transplant a
while back and wanted to head out backpacking. Great for him but important to know
when you are ready for such arduous activity. A doctor is your best source for this
information and not other hikers. So too if you’ve had joint replacements, if you
are diabetic, etc. All these things should be discussed with your doctor as
well as any medication you may need to take. If you’ve had knee issues in the
past or ankle issues, get them resolved ahead of time. It does no harm to
begin your adventure by taking care of yourself at home, like doing exercises
to help stretch out muscle groups and walking as much as you can (walking is
less hard on the joints than running). Prepare yourself and your body for what
is to come, and the hike will go much smoother.
Gear. It’s doubly important that you are carrying the least
amount for a safe venture, especially as we age. While many of us can no longer
just sleep on one of those simple pads, thankfully gear manufacturers are coming
out with lightweight gear that helps reduce the pack load. Consider one of the
3 inch inflatable pads for instance. Or maybe even hammocking. Older bodies tend
to get colder too, so make sure you have proper layers for hiking. Get checked
by a good shoe professional when it comes to footwear. Poor footwear will quickly
cause issues in the knees and hips—both major flair-ups for older hikers. A
pair of trekking poles goes a long way to helping manage those hills and give
balance. I have been known to carry more for comfort’s sake than a thirty year
old. I have inflatable pillows for instance (Exped and Klymit make good ones).
I carry more in my first aid kit than many. For instance, aspirin tabs are a good idea to help against heart attacks. I
have discovered Penetrex and carry this on my hike for joint aches and
pans. Watch taking lots of NSAIDS (like Advil) that have been known to cause
ulcers and even other side effects in older people. Once you have all the essentials
together, then check out backpacks. Get the one that is comfortable for you,
not the one that is necessarily ultralight.
Food and Fluids. It’s most important that you drink lots of water
on hikes. Water lubricates joints which can ache more often and become stiff. Carry
a good water filtration system (I use the Sawyer Squeeze). I also am doing things
differently with food. Much of the typical backpacking food contains way too much salt
and sugar. For an older hiker, this can effect blood pressure and diabetes. Be
sure to read the labels. Prepackaged foods also contain additives that cause
issues – like MSG. Create your own meals and ship them out in mail drops (see food prep ideas). Use a
guidebook to help you plan. Buying on the trail, unless it’s a big food store, limits
you to more of the high salt and sugar products.
Goals. We are not 20 anymore. I happen to be fiercely competitive
and always want to do what everyone else is doing or what I have done ten years
ago—in miles and goals. I’ve learned the hard
way it’s not a good idea. It can lead to overuse injuries that can wreck your hike. What you may have been able to do long ago is not the same now. Maybe twenty mile days were easy, but now fourteen is the max. Great! It’s your hike, your adventure, take it at your pace. Be kind to yourself. Take in the moment, rest by a stream, meet new friends, enjoy the scenery.
Make the most of the time you have in the great wilderness
with the realization that you can do it at any age.
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