Thanks Silva for this video. This is the first video of yours I have viewed. I'm a senior and have been contemplating an AT thru hike. I really like how you do not waste any time with long intros or explanations like some content creators. Keep on hiking and best wishes!
Thank you for watching! If you’re considering an AT Thru hike I’d say go for it! Have you done any shorter thru hikes? Best wishes to you as well! Happy hiking! 🥾
I am 69 and section hike AT every year as a test to see how I am aging, going again end of March for 200 miles, could only do 11 miles/day last year. Instead of trekking poles I like a 45" hiking stick, call it my "Dog Stick" because I use it to defend against dog attacks, some dogs think I am the Postman and attack. Also use the hiking stick as a catapult to sling my rock bag over a tree limb to hang my food, gives more power and directional control. #12: I do carry Imodium AD just in case virus attack. This time I will be swapping gear between sections, during 5 day sections I will carry my 32lb 70l backpack with hammock setup. There are some 3 day sections that I bet I can do in 2 days if I swap gear to carrying an old fashion Hobo Roll (a bedroll containing torso groundsheet & pad, down blanket, polyester tarp cover, gloves, jacket), betting I can make better time with 13 pound gear including 1 pound of Walnuts for 2 days food.
11 mile days are fantastic! I hope your upcoming 200 mile section hike goes smoothly for you. Great idea to use your stick as a catapult to help hang your food. I couldn’t do only walnuts for food. Lol
Great tips! As a "senoir" hiker, I'm training and preparing to hike the AT in 2026. There has been a lot of gear tweaking from trial and error. I concur about the shoes and foot care! Glad I found you in RU-vid and IG!
2026 must be the year of senior hikers. 👏🏼🥾That’s my plan also. Retiring oct 2025. I hike a few days a week but not with a complete load. A few overnight trips in 2025 to put it all together. Have a great adventure. Any thoughts on the best month? I know March is busy.
Thank you for the wise tips, particularly the mention of not comparing yourself with your younger self. We all, to a greater or lessor extent, have a strong tendency to lament the loss of our abilities to the onset of age.😞
It is hard sometimes to just enjoy where you are at and not compare. I do pretty good but still fall into it every now and then. We are still getting out there and having a blast and that’s what counts even if it is not as fast as we’d like. 😊
Good advice thanks. Im 71 and do shorter multi day hikes 5 to 21days in Australia and New Zealand. Having a 'zero' makes the experience so much easier and enjoyable.
Hello Silva, I just re-subscribed. I was with you a while back on your AT run. I accidentally saw your video on youtube and thought it would be a good time to come back. I turn 75 this July so I'm getting more conscious of the need to watch my step. I've been very active getting on trails in my area most days of the week. But last week I was doing a 15 mile road walk and started to get knee pain in my right leg. I should have paid attention to it but instead did a long bush hike a couple of days later and had to hobble back in a lot of pain. So now I am house bound for a while. The lessons of old age are a difficult teaching. I look forward to enjoying your videos again. Best wishes to you.
Thank you for re-subscribing! So sorry to hear about your knee pain! I hope you recover quickly! I have many times tied to push through after an injury and it never turns out good. You’d think we’d learn but for some reason those lessons are difficult to remember. lol Thanks so much for following along. 🥾⛰️🏕️
Get in shape, stay in shape. If you are a human, and you don’t work out (both strength and cardio) you are robbing yourself of not just more life, but more quality life. If you are older, you lose muscle mass at a faster rate. Strength training and ingesting more quality protein every day will keep you able to enjoy physical activities into your later years. 🤘🕓
Completely agree! The older I get the more important I can see being in shape and staying in shape is. I’m determined to get in much better shape so I can keep hiking and backpacking for years to come one. 🥾⛰️🏕️😊
Thank you! I’m hitting the trail again in two days and appreciate your thoughts and ideas! It’s been nine years since my last section hike. Hopefully this will go better!
Im 65 and a month ago, spent two days and a night on the AT in Western Massachusetts. Tryington... It was hard. But i plan on returning. I need alot more preparation. I will be watching you now that i have found you.
Amazing isn’t it? Early March and the woods are already bare of snow here in Maine. Great tips, I’m 65 and just started using trekking poles last year and what a difference it made.
I know I can’t believe there is no snow around here. I had someone tell me still lots of snow in Grafton Notch area so I may try to get over there to do a hike soon. Lol. I love my trekking poles. I can’t imagine hiking without them.
Subscribed. Thanks for being an older hiker and sharing. I’m struggling with food now, but will prevail. Yes, the onion rings, etc., are not wise for me. Sound good, taste good, but ulimately not worth it.
While training, work your pack weight up to overload. After working your way up. Take some shorter hikes with extra water weight. You can find stairs to climb with your loades pack also. Many, mnay step on the AT
I use a duffle bag and check most of my gear and use my backpack as a carry on but with only what I need on the flight. I did a video on flying with my gear. I’ll look up the link and put it in the comments below. 😊
I’ve heard of some hikers using a portable CPap for hiking but have no idea how well it works. I’ve also seen hikers ship medication to specific locations along the trail and pick them up.
I didn't know that ACV would help heart burn. Thanks for the info! Though I don't know if I could drink it even in water. lol I don't even like salt and vinegar chips. 😂
My two cents. Pack and shoes and socks are my big 3. Don't get flimsy running shoes. Get real hiking shoes or boots that are non waterproof. I swear by injinji sock liners under my darn toughs. Do not buy an ultralight pack unless you are actually going ultralight (15 pounds). Buy an osprey ag. Cheers
I definitely agree with your big three! I do like hiking in trail runners and not boots unless it’s winter. I use wear the injinji liners but didn’t like wearing two pairs of socks. Now I wear the Injinji hiking socks is usually. Happy hiking! 🥾 😊
She did not mention the most important piece of equipment: a gun. Most of the AT goes through open-carry states like Virginia and Pennsylvania, so by all means, carry a pistol, especially hiking alone.
I didn’t mention it because I don’t believe it’s necessary. I hike and backpack alone and feel more comfortable in the woods by myself than alone at Walmart.
I didn’t put my 3or 4 times on the AT but this woman is wrong. My personal opinion is just try you never know what will happen. Yes for my last time I need medication but my doctor gave me the health ok. A doctor is a good thing for anyone. And next year I will be 77 years old and do my last through travel number 13 will be a joke. I know I will punish the young folks I just finished with pain the Shanganie. For fun i walked the trail of death. It’s not as long as AP….but try the Bulawayo to Vic Falls run in even winter you learn what kit to carry. I will never make a video of those walkers. Mainly because I don’t want people to see me fun dancing. lol you can make me USA but ya can’t take RSAS from me. Oh got to add this. Never had a crock try to eat my leg on the AT and never had a Buff try to end my life. My worst was hippy’s wanting my food. For a walking stick I fully swear by them. I used a staff all the same and it helped all the time and it was a very heavy black thorn staff. Hands up to my suicidal Republic of Ireland friends. For hiking a walking stick or staff is beyond beneficial. One of my staffs actually has a button compass and a small little place to horde a small amount of matches. Best part of a staff is something you will never use. They make great rests to shoot you firearm. And in a not joke one of my staffs did beat off an annoying Grizzly Bear. I don’t suggest that attitude unless you like death. If you get the chance I would suggest the old sheep farmers staff. The hooked end works well to help you climb up nasty high land terrain
