13 Tips for Older Hikers Starting the Appalachian Trail 

Thank You for sharing your insight.

As a 76 year old backpacker it’s nice to hear and learn from your experience.

At 59, I really appreciate your sharing and videos. Please stay strong and healthy.

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!

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.

Great tips thanks for sharing

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.😞

Great tips to live by. I put hiking poles right up there as an absolute necessity. Hike on 🥾🥾~ CrazyQuilt

Excellent tips for even us day hikers! Thank you😊

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.

All great tips, Silva👍. Thanks so much for making this video.

Excellent tips. I already do many of them but I learned a couple of things. Thanks!

Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

All wonderful tips, Silva! Thanks for sharing. Hike~~On~~>

Perfect tips!

Great tips!

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.

IMHO, the top tip relates to foot wear and care. Your feet are what gets you there!

This was really helpful, thanks.

Thank you!

Nice job,great tips. 👍

Thanks

Tip 13 is #1! Ty for this 💓 great advice

Hey Silva, As an older hiker carry a small bottler of baby asprin. Just in case for me or anyone else who might need it. I liked this video.

Awesome Tips Amiga! I am an older hiker 62 this month. Moka

Silvia, such a great list so well communicated. It was more like 24 tips. The term LASH is new to me. Is it an acronym? G'day from Australia💚💛

Very good video with some helpful tips. The most important is not to be intimidated and get out there. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️

Great 13 tips. Thanks for doing the video

Lovely upload my friend 👏👏

All great comments. Love your accent. Maverick

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

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.

Listen to this song about the mountain wilderness. DON'T GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP WITHOUT ME (C)2006 james monahan original songs.

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.

Hi there Silva girl.

Bring plenty of Vitamin I.

thank you! how many packs of LMNT do you use per day?

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

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