Well I might not be silver but a little grey at 54 but 2 years ago diagnosed with cancer and could not walk 100 yards, last week went to Colorado and hiked over Fifty miles and out for 6 days with 5 scouts and 3 other adults. You just have to not give up. Thanks Dixie keep it up.
I'm 55. Five years ago, I developed arthritis in my knees, which put quite a damper on my hiking. It really wasn't until I lost weight (68 pounds as of today) that they started to get better, even more than with physical therapy. The one thing I learned from PT is that staying off my knees is the exact opposite of what I needed to do. So while working from home, I'd take every opportunity to take a walk, regardless of the weather. Now that I'm back in the office, I quickly eat lunch then take a walk on my lunch hour. I even put my laptop into my laptop backpack and carry it around with me to kind of simulate backpacking. I look at myself like a tool (stop laughing). I have a lot of really old tools that were my grandfather's, but they don't get rusty because I still use them. Same with me. I don't want to end us as a rusty tool!
About 15 years ago when I was still running some and my hikes were still just day hikes, a chiropractor (me - chronic upper back issue from spinal injury) told me I would need to take glucosamine every day for the rest of my life. Well I am not one for habits, not good ones, not bad ones. My glucosamine supplimentation maybe lasted two months, but 10 years after that I started long hiking which even included 80 to 90 pound loads at some times. I did have one knee pop, awkward, but that was from not stepping carefully. Basically my knees have been pretty good. For me anyway, going slow has kept me free of the blisters, shin splints, knee and hip issues. I have felt the limits a few times and ironically, it happens when my pack gets too light allowing me to move much more quickly. The speed puts a bigger strain on my joints, not to mention other issues in high temperatures.
@@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869 I had a sharp pain in one knee after hiking 6 miles at 4 mph. I eliminated all processed food, sugar and keep total sugar-carbs below 30 g a day. 6 years later I cannot remember which knee it was. At 70+ I feel like I did at 30. But I train a lot more now so I am a better hiker than I was at 30. For day hikes I take my cat with me, carring 10 to 12 lbs. She is my personal trainer. Also the diet has eliminated entirely my need for glasses -after being short sighted since a teen. Still working on my fear of hights and those pull ups... Key thing: I require to be in better shape in December than I was in January every year. How to improve is not hard to define. All I need is apply myself It is easy to compare progress: I will be hiking above Estes Park CO this summer...and comparing to last year ;)
I'm one of those 65-year old hikers and had a "small" heart attack last year. Three things have been important to me ... 1) Cardio fitness. I walk on an incline treadmill. Walking is easier on old joints than running! 2) Stretching PROPERLY ... Many people stretch too aggressively. For the most part, stretching should FEEL GOOD. 3) Pay attention to your body and attend to it when it talks to you. I had been feeling out of breath and felt a funny flutter near my left shoulder. Turned out one of the arteries on my heart was 99% blocked. After an hour in the cath lab I woke up with a new stent. A year later I completed a 10-mile day hike at 8,000 feet of elevation on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in July heat. Happy Trails :-)
I'm 63 and still hiking. Some things I think are important for us "silver hikers"... 1. Keep your body weight down. 2. Cut down drastically on sugar. 3. Walk between hikes. 4. Exercise. Concentrate on exercises that support natural movement. Give up exercises that can cause damage. 5. Hike with someone.
Exactly right David. I’m a 62 YO hiker and skier. The only thing I would add is that we need just a bit of luck…if I tear an ACL on a ski trip it’s going to be much more difficult to recover than it was when I was 30. Not impossible, just more difficult.
I would love to do #5, but ditching a schedule tops my list for why I hike. Everyone else seems to want predictability, so Semper Gumby has to hike alone. But I still have many friendly encounters on trail, sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes only 10 seconds.
#4 Indicates experience I think. I have never been limber since my big growth spurt from 17 to 20 years old. All legs. At around 50 years old I finally discovered the beauty of squatting (Slav squat, Asian squat, whatever you wish to call it) It's very natural and super beneficial. Two minutes: 1m early each day and 1m at the end of the day. Sometimes I'll add some cross leg sitting (ouch), but mostly now just the simple squat.
Great advice. On the Camino, I saw a lady in her 70s zoom on by me with a tiny backpack about 1/3 my size. I thought she was a local going for a day hike. Nope, she did various Caminos 14x and had all she needed in her backpack. She wasn’t trying to be “ultralight”, but just took what she needed. I met up with her at the next hostel and chatted her up for hours. She’s a retired nurse. Much the same as Dixie’s advice. 1) only carry what you need, and she figured it out from trial and error over the years. 2) small backpack, since she didn’t need much. Easily 1/3 the size of my 40L full bag. 3) always walks with her poles and uses great form. She’s got four legs and walks with a fluid deer-like gait. She’s very thin. Her body is just naturally thin. Genetics helps, but obviously diet and plenty of exercise. Unlike Dixie’s advice, she didn’t take many breaks…but she just didn’t seem to ever need to. 4) she never got a blister. She was wearing trail runners, I didn’t notice the brand at the time. I was a noob. Only one layer of socks. 5) she had a lightweight Altus 5 degree (Celsius) sleeping bag which she preferred to liners and recommended it to me (I love it). 6) she’s social and really enjoys the camaraderie of the Camino and that seems to give her a lot of life. 7) she’s a 3 season hiker, at least. I didn’t ask about winter, but I’d guess she walks most of the year. She’s Spanish and Spain has lots of trails with hostels. She’s not a camper, so doesn’t need tents or extra food. She probably weighed about 100 lbs or so, thin, but fit. Just a health conscious retired nurse who loves the Camino. She walks so fast I couldn’t believe it. I had to speed up and she had to slow down just for us to chat on the trail. I let her zoom on by so I could rest. She’s the most amazing pilgrim I saw on the Camino.
I said this on your Facebook page too….my trekking poles save me from hurting myself about every 5 minutes when I’m in the woods. I’m not kidding. I have osteoarthritis…severe osteoarthritis. Even after I’ve overdone it by being out several days in a row, I sometimes use two canes like trekking poles to walk to the kitchen lol. I’m a wildlife and landscape photographer from East Tennessee. Born and raised. I’m off trail hiking a lot too. And trust me when I say…leaf litter is your friend lol. It cushion the fall. Always try and redirect your body towards the leaf litter if you’re going down. I’m just sayin
I'm not a through hiker, but I'm a hiker and do my hiking and hammock camping here in Sweden. Started with outdoors and hiking again after many many years absence due to overweight and being limited in what I could do, lost 110 pounds and now I'm back in the bush. I love it, love being out there again enjoying nature here in Sweden.
I started backpacking at 59 and now my singular goal is to be able to keep doing it. Oh the things I can see .. and do .. and experience!! ❤️ I hike with my son and we both exercise regularly and obsess about our ultralight gear and hammock set ups 😀
I hiked a bit when I was in my twenties, only hiked the occasional time with my kids while they were growing up, now I'm looking to get back on the trail. I'm 57n now, I'll be hiking with my son this year with hopes to continue. Thanks for commenting!
I am 66 and 6 months old. I have been active all my life, but have never done a thru hike (even though I have lived in Colorado for the past 34 years). Marathons (eg Pikes Peak in 85 and 86), I maintained my activity level ( National Senior Olympics, hiking Long's Peak 7 times) "Ride the Rockies" in 2019'", I have always longed for the "Thru Hike". Well, I am starting my Colorado Trail thru hike this Saturday. After watching many of your videos (as well as others), I am going to go for my own dream thru hike. And as you just mentioned, as we get older, we have to change and modify our efforts commiserate with our abilities- but it is imperative to remain as active as we are as much as possible. And though I yearn for the feelings and achievement that youth offers, I find myself always moving forward- always seeking the next adventure. On Saturday, June 23 Rd, I shall endeavor to keep seeking the unknown and the unknowable challenge that is life. I thank you so very much Dixie for your positive attitude, sharing your knowledge, and for keeping individuals such a myself in the game of life. Take care!😃
Congratulations! My dream is to do the CT, too, but maybe in sections. Are you filming your wonderful adventure? I am currently following ‘Joyful Rambler’ who is on YT. That is such a beautiful trail. Have a great time out there! ⛰🏕👍
Hey Dixie I'm 72. Hiked a lot before age 35 then stopped for 30 years. Best things to help me staying able to hike. A couple weeks b4 a hike, I carry a full load while walking with my dog. Just 3 miles or so. But it has helped get me ready. Also helps dial in my gear pack. I hav lightened my load by more than 50% vs what I once carried. My big 3 went from 16 pounds to 7. One thing that's really important is getting good sleep. So a high quality pad and bag or quilt is essential. Excellent footwear is critical. Do not wear your every day shoes on trail. Get footwear made for hiking. I agree about trekking poles. Mine have SMA at least once every day. As Harry said, important thing is knowing your limitations. So if you can do 5 miles then do 5. Keep at it and enjoy.
One thing that is important for older hikers is to do balance exercises. As we age our balance deteriorates for a variety of reasons. Falls on trail can be catastrophic for senior hikers regardless of our conditioning. It's just a fact of life. When I was young I seldom had falls on trail but now in my 70's falls aren't uncommon. Trekking poles help but balance exercises are crucial IMHO
Two tips to add. (1) if you are type 2 diabetic you can still do long distance hiking. My endro was mainly worried about lows, so she removed or lowered some meds to compensate for the daily backpacking. (2) if you have apnea you can still backpack. I carry a battery operated cpap and plan my stops around recharging batteries. I’ve done up to 750 miles with the battery operated cpap.
I just turned 50. And I’m still hiking as often as I can. Cutting pack weight is a big one. And honestly, just walking. Walk your dog, take walks around the neighborhood. It helps so much.
I'm in my 50s and just starting out. I do have some medical issues, but I don't let that hold me back. I usually hike solo so I'm not pressured to keep up with others. I stop often to rest my bad knees, and to just absorb the beautiful surroundings.
Two more that I can add as I turn 60 this year and started to section hike the AT in 2020 with a 10 year plan: (1) Section Hike. It is a smidge harder to stay in shape between hikes, BUT it takes less of a toll on the body day-after-day, week-after-week, and if you do get a sprain or injury it's not as discouraging because you can take time before the next section to heal. (2) Slack Pack. Oh my goodness! This has become a life-saver for me. Yes, you can't slack some portions but with lighter gear you can do that because its one or two nights vs. one or two weeks. Slack packing may require a few more miles, but carrying less weight makes the extra daily miles much easier on the body. Thanks for your encouragement and inspiration Dixie!
I'm a silver hiker. I have to go slow and rake more breaks so it's hard for me to find others to hike with. I'm a couch potato who discovered I enjoy hiking but can't get over the 10 mile per day hump. I just put an earbud in and enjoy myself. I gave noticed the bottom of my feet hurt now that I'm older. I've added felt to the bottom of my shoes and it helps.
Everything Dixie talks about is spot on. I am 62, i have always day hiked but didnt start backpacking until age 57. I work in Healthcare and know how taking care of your body is everything. Good cardio, muscle toning, and mind care all make a huge difference. Andmake sure you take sometime to enjoy the view. Breath deep, enjoy God's world....
great advise and helpful insights. I've been backpacking for about 50 years and have seen the gradual decline in my pace over the last 10 years in particular, but not in my enjoyment or enthusiasm for the outdoors. It's harder to find companions my age to hike with me, but there are still a few veteran hikers out there to share the fun. Going lighter is an obvious choice now in the past I scoffed at the idea. I thought only sissies counted every ounce.
I ran into Nimbleweed Nomad at Above the Clouds Hostel during his historic hike. One thing you didn't mention was his support crew. He had a couple people in a car with gear & supplies meeting up with him along the trail for assistance. At the hostel they set up a cot for him with some blankets for insulation. Support crew is really handy if you get into trouble and to have someone dropping off food & supplies so you aren't carrying that weight. My support crew is Jackson & Franklin, Jackson is on the $20 & Franklin is on the $100. People who are older should consider a support crew on a long hike.
Hey Dixie, from my experience on JMT don’t get caught planning the miles everyone else is doing, average hiker does not have my 63 year old body. Good news is we are able to adjust time/miles since I no longer work. Excellent vid. Thank you
Great video Dixie, I am 64 yrs. old, just retired, and just did a 13.7-mile overnight backpacking trip section of the PCT, with my son and 2 grandsons it was a great experience and the boys loved it. this was my first overnight backpacking trip, want to do more in near future. thank you for your great advice. and yes, check out the Hiking Rev his channel is great also.
Love the cover shot! Great synopsis of last weeks comments. I do love that you are asking these questions on your channel at your age. I was fortunate to have wake-up moment on the trail when I had at forty when a mid-sixty companion leave me in the dust mile after mile. The good man gave some great advice about staying active and off season training.
Wish I could be around to see you beat that record! Love the Hiking Rev videos, great advice and excellent entertainment, just like yours. I'm 67 and still hiking/backpacking the high country of Colorado. Living at 8300 ft helps.
My uncle is in his late 60s and he hikes the white mountains all throughout the year. He's climbed Washington 7 times and has done pretty much all the 4k footers in New Hampshire. He has said several times he wants to try hiking the full AT, but he hasn't yet. I hope he does it because it seems like it's a dream of his.
I guess old is relative. I'm 64 and never thought of myself as old until you mentioned the Hiking Rev is in his 60s...yikes! I agree with most of your tips. Except for hammocks, they just don't really work around here - not enough trees! And trekking poles - I used a walking stick for 20 years then, when the stick broke, I switched to a trekking pole(singular) about 15 years ago; I've tried 2 poles but they just don't feel right to me. For years my base weight was around 20lbs but recently I've started to reduce it and am now down around16 and aiming for sub-15lbs. But I don't expect to go much below that because of limited budget and limited tolerance for discomfort!
Great info. I am 74 and still wanting to do the AT. Not sure if I ever will for a verity of reasons but it is still n my mind. We, wife and I, do some short trips. Love your videos. Thanks. Take Care and Be Safe
Hi Dixie from the UK. Come and hike the 600 mile South West Coast Path along the coast of Cornwall and Devon. In the summer. Beautiful coastal views and many friendly campsites along the way as well as cafe restaurants to re-supply.
Nice advice! Agreed - staying active is KEY - we always smile when we see older hikers on trail and say the same thing "good for them, I hope that is us at their age!"
Lots of good advice Dixie. I do follow the Hiking Rev. I’m 81 with COPD and a new knee. I’m slowly sectioning PA from north to south. I hiked for many years in my younger days, got away from it for jobs and family life and am now trying to continue my quest of doing the AT however I can. Best advice I could give those 60+ is to keep moving and don’t try to keep up with the speed demons on trail!
Thank you so much from someone who got the new trail name " Stop and Go" after starting back section hiking a couple of years ago. This is probably wrong but as a section hiker only, two to three weeks at a time, I'm 62, I do take a lot of breaks. Hydrate hydrate hydrate. Also I am not miles goal oriented because I'm not going the distance. Some days I'll hike 5 or 6 miles when I find a great spot. Other days many more. But as was said just Move. Five miles on the trail is 5 miles you would not have done at home! Thank you for your extremely helpful videos. I wouldn't have made it so easy without them!
Great advice! I remember seeing backpackers in their 50s and 60s on what felt like a gruelling trip in 2009 and it inspired me to stay fit enough to be one of those backpackers! I've definitely noticed a few things as I've got older (now early 50s) - I feel way more tired the next day than I used to, I now have to work harder to maintain my fitness (I can't rely on my time as an active youth any more though it definitely served me well), and my pace has slowed a little. I've been working with a personal trainer for a few years and that's been so worth it for me as it's allowed me to train the right muscles and work on good form so I can keep hiking for as long as possible. I'm still carrying the same load as a decade ago so something has to change there but poles have been invaluable, so much so that I now use them on day hikes too. Keep moving y'all!
I've been wanting to hike for years, and only managed to get out on trail this last couple of months, only day hikes so far, but it's a start. You and your channel have a LOT to do with that, I can't Thank You enough. P.S. Congrats on 400k subs :)
You are so positive ! Thank you . Thanks for the reality with all the hope ! You’re right , make it happen to best if our current ability . Tomorrow isn’t promised.
Thank you for these tips--great advice as always! This is exactly what I needed to hear. Especially the part about using our youth while we have it--no matter what our age is. :-)
Balance is very important to preventing falls and recovering from falls. Trekking poles can help, but also do exercises specifically to maintain and improve balance. (Yoga is good for this.) Also practice getting up and down and strengthening your squat muscles. Then practice again with a pack on!
I'm not sure I qualify as 'older', I'll be 60 in a couple of weeks. (I sure don't feel older !) I have hiked my entire life and passed that onto my kids. It was admittedly painful when they (now 17 & 20) have had to wait on me on occasion, moreso due to cardio than anything else. All good advice. The only thing I notice is that I can still do it, but the 'recovery time' tends to be a bit longer.
Start young with daily workout routine, 7 days a week if possible, aerobics and strength training. Aerobics: walking, long walks, running, jogging, biking, on trails is much safer than roads, indoor bike trainer or treadmill. Strength Training, don't neglect: upper body, abs, deadlifts and squats. Of course, good nutrition! Cheers!
Wow, beautiful: "We're not promised tomorrow, and we're not promised our health tomorrow." Age old wisdom in most languages - "Too soon old, too old smart", or, "Si jeunesse savait; si vieillesse pouvait."
Weight or resistance training isn't just beneficial for muscles- it improves bone health (density and strength) as well, along with a nutritious diet. 😊
I lengthen my treking poles going uphill pulling myself up. Going down shorten the poles to arrest your decent. Saves the knees really. We experimented with and without and without had problems with the knees.
my solution to no longer being able to make steep climbs is to find fairly level hikes to great views. A perfect example would be a two mile easy to moderate hike to Lonesome Lake Hut in the White Mountains of N.H......the view from there of the Franconia Ridge is spectacular. A lot of bang for my senior citizen buck!
I am 70. A few years ago I had a tachycardia episode and wound up seeing a cardiologist. At one visit I had just come back from a trip to the Tahoe Rim Trail, an attempt at a through hike. Anyway, the doc asked if I wasn’t afraid of a medical emergency, like a heart attack, in the back country. I told him that I would rather check out overlooking a mountain meadow or an alpine lake than in a hospital bed hooked up to machines. Obviously, he did not get it, because he looked at me like I had three heads for a few moments, then changed the subject.
You may want to look for a new cardiologist. A good physician always keeps in mind that they are supposed to be helping to improve your quality of life….not just make you live longer.
I completely agree. I have said the same thing for years. I haven't been backpacking for several years exactly because of some health conditions, but I fully intend to to work towards getting back on the trail this summer. I am working on lightening my load, and I have a brand new pair of boots that hasn't even been broken in yet. So I am gradually working towards getting ready. Although a heart attack or a bad fall might be painful, in the long run the happiness that I feel by being on the trail is worth the risk.
@@TheNypenfan I could not disagree with you more. The medical industry’s (yes it is an industry) business model is to keep you alive, and reliant on their drugs and services, for as long as possible. The pharmaceutical industry funds the AMA. They also pay for all those continuing education junkets that doctors go on. Why do you think that prescriptions for statins, antidepressants, and (formerly) opiates are through the roof? It’s not for the patients’ benefit. The greatest part of your lifetime’s medical expenses will occur during your final months. If you die suddenly in the Sierra mountains that represents a lot of cash the medical industry won’t get. That is not a happy outcome for doctors. Doctors rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to become doctors. No matter how altruistically the start out, those debts have to be paid. Guess where the money to service those debts comes from. Regardless of how “good “ you think your doctors is, how sincere their concerned face looks, how attentively they listen to your complaints, you are a ultimately a bank account and an insurance account to be billed. If you grasp that idea you are less likely to be taken in by the medical industry’s facade. As always, follow the money to get to the truth.
Good for you Peter. I had a similar experience with a neurologist when I told him I started feeling dizzy after thru hiking the AT. He asked, why would you want to do that? I said man it's something a lot of people want to do. You either get it or you don't. :-)
Hi, Dixie. Good stuff! I'm 66 and there's a couple of things I would add. First, not only have I lightened my pack (by buying every piece of ultralight gear I can afford), I also try to lighten ME. I realized that for every additional 10 pounds of fat on my gut, its like carrying a bag of sugar in my pack. So, I choose to lose the excess me. Also, I do not allow myself to think of myself as "old". My inner man is still youthful but I just happen to have an aging body I have to deal with. When I go hiking, I embrace my inner kid. I think your mental outlook is very important.
... Have been replacing a lot of good old gear as well ,, still works fine but new designs and materials can be a plus ... Started backpacking in '66 was a part of every year 3 seasons outings ,, slowed down in recent years but still make a couple good 5-7 day trips to high country alpine lakes every year ... Not a long distance thru hiker ..... Backpacking for me has been the means to get to the fish up high ... have never been an ultra light hiker ,not even a lightweight backpacker ,, I won't do without gear that might be the difference of surviving a problem or helping someone else on the mountain .... which is usually the case ... I guess it's the engrained old Boy Scout in me ... Too many hikers today following the ultra-light mentality are putting themselves at risk just to be part of the "cool" crowd ... unprepared for the unexpected .... ... I don't get out as much as in younger years but the list of locations and desire is still there .... mostly grey,, probably some silver and some non-existent ,, physical conditioning intermittent lacking ,, but a recent adoption of a new 4 legged future trail pal has me out on daily walks where with some I throw on a weighted vest or my daypack ... hoping to get a few more outings in for some years ahead ... as you mentioned the "inner spirit " has big plans and hopes the aging body can keep up for a while longer ...
Thru hiked AT last year at age 70. Hoping to repeat at age 80 but first I must undo the damage to coronary pipes caused by poor nutrition (sugary carbs apparently contributed to plaque in an artery). I've been dizzy since finishing the hike 8 months ago and am spending a fortune figuring out what's wrong. I saw Nimblewill Nomad at Madison Springs Hut in the Whites. What an amazing man. And I used a hammock and slept great.
I was dizzy for five months after returning from Colorado. A lot of test, a lot of Drs. Turns out it is migraines. Headache came after the dizziness stopped. Now if I get dizzy I can expect a migraine to follow within a few days. Exposure to smoke an high altitude kicked it off.
You might be experiencing BPPV. Earlier this year I had it off and on for a couple of months. It is fairly common. You might want to research it more, but following is a short blurb: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is one of the most common causes of vertigo (dizziness). BPPV is characterized by sudden bursts of vertigo that are caused by head movements, such as sitting up or tilting your head. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals called otoconia come loose from their normal location on the utricle, a sensory organ in the inner ear. If the crystals become detached, they can flow freely in the fluid-filled spaces of the inner ear, including the semicircular canals (SCC) that sense the rotation of the head.
@@ILC6476 sounds like you got over it, thankfully. My situation looks like a cardio issue based on high CAC score for LAD artery. 7 months of junk food on the trail seems to have nudged me closer to a cardio event. I'll know more at cardiologist follow-up.
Great advice. I used to hike the AT when I was younger. But since about age 40, I've been doing long-distance bicycle touring instead. When I started doing that, I could average about 100 miles a day. But now, at age 65, I find that I can only manage an average of about 50-60 miles/day. That was a hard adjustment for me to make. I'm not quitting my bicycle tours. But now I'm just adjusting my daily milage expectations to make it more "age appropriate." And also, I find that I tend to take more motels on the road (especially in bad weather), and not camp quite as often. But I'm still out there doing it, and that's the most important thing!!! 😎
That adjustment is a hard pill to swallow but your body ages, can't stop it, and those changes have to be addressed. Getting older is a challenge, not just physically but mentally accepting what you can't change.
@@a.p.5429 Well....at first until you add up the miles under your butt and realize you've EARNED a warm...DRY bed...and a Shower and Owe No One Any Excuse....Period. 70 and STILL kicking ass and have added the BEST Single Malts at the end of my day. Sue Me 😂
Thanks Dixie for recommending my channel and especially my video, “Tips for Older Hikers.” You’re very kind. I’m presently backpacking the 300 mile section of the PCT in the Sierra from Bishop Pass to Echo Lake. I’m finding it harder to do it this time than when I did it in 2020. I guess two years and a heart attack slows you down a bit. I’m making it, just going a little slower than I did last time. Again, thanks for your advice for us “silver hikers.”
Just shy of 62 here - do NOT wait. You never know what the future holds. If at 52 I knew I'd be dx'd with Parkinson's, maybe I'd have gotten started with hiking earlier. Now, my hikes are limited to day hiking, but I find local trails that are wonderful. Yes, poles are a must. Just get out there!
Dixie. I know that I am not a person that you are particularly excited to hear from, but please do me the courtesy of reading through my comments vis-à-vis your recent video regarding the subject of older hikers. I wrote before that due to your videos regarding the PCT, I had made the decision to take a shot at it this year. To say that I didn’t do very well is a massive understatement. The reasons are multi-faceted, but to some degree are related to the trail itself, resources like water, heat, secondly to the demands that this sort of hiking was putting on my senior citizen body, and to a great degree, to my expectations regarding just what is thru-hiking anyway. My beliefs were related to the thousands of miles I had previously done, primarily in the mountains of Idaho. What I quickly discovered, is that thru-hiking is wildly different than the kinds of hiking I had previously done which is more closely related to section-hiking. More than anything else, what I did discover, and you alluded to this in your video, is that my body at my current age is nowhere near as resilient as it was when I was younger, and when I allowed myself to become nutritionally deprived, or dehydrated, I could not just ‘power through it’ and continue hiking. I found that if I didn’t keep nutrition and or hydration going on a regular basis, it quickly became a show-stopper and I would either have to take time away from the trail, or multiple zero days. Also hydration was a real sticking point when normally reliable water sources turned up dry and you were in a position of having to hike a very long ways to get to another source of water. Hauser Canyon was the first major disappointment, and then Tule Spring being dry put me in a very serious position in terms of hydration. I had real trouble realizing that I needed to carry far more water than I thought that I was going to need. All in all I did manage to do 140 miles on the PCT from the Southern Terminus, coupled with over 200 miles on the CDT (beginning at the Southern Terminus) that I did between Fall of last year and Spring of this year. It is my intention to go back to the CA desert in the Fall when the temperatures moderate, and hopefully get the rest of the desert section out of the way so I can begin next year at Kennedy Meadows. I suspect I will do a lot better when there isn’t as much heat, and water is more available. FYI: January 2022 I was 81. Thank you for the contributions you have made to hiking vis-à-vis your videos and sharing of your experience.
As a Senior Hiker and someone who has been hiking/backpacking since their 20's, these are excellent. One I would add is set realistic goals and/or modify routes to match what you can do (vs used to do 🙂). No more backpacking 15 mile days for us, we aim for 7-8 miles. No more 10 day food carries, we aim for 5 (and get a resupply). Finally I guess I would add - keep moving. There are lots of things beyond one's control (cancer, stroke, etc) but one thing we can thing every day is to keep moving and keep hiking! Even if it is a lot slower 🙂.
As a past 65 backpacker, I'd add to all that, talk to your doctors. You GP that you go to all the time, and consult with a podiatrist. They'll tell you what shape your feet are in, and what type of footwear you should invest in. I'd also see an orthopedist to get a really good idea of how ready your joints are. And finally, also check in with a sports medicine specialist. All of those folks will be able to not only tell you if you're even capable of backpacking, but can also help you set any on-trail fitness goals you may want to either set, or accomplish.
I'm a mid-70s hiker/backpacker. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I have the following comment about Lostagain's post about consulting the doctors: It's certainly prudent to be self-aware about our health, and checking with the doctor about any uncertainties should be part of that. Lostagain's advice, however, sounds like offering folks a way to find an excuse for not getting started. I'd be willing to bet that if I consulted the recommended panoply of specialists, it's 100% I'd be able to find one or more who would warn me as to why hiking/backpacking "at my age" is a bad idea and should be avoided. I think a more positive approach (assuming a person is not aware of existing serious health issues) is to just get out there and do it. Follow Dixie's advice and start slow and easy and incrementally work up to a sustainable regime.
Im in my 70s and still wildcamping and hiking over here in Scotland. Good, sound. sensible advice to follow to keep us all safe and active. It really is use it or lose it now. Time is taken for granted no more, and Ive never enjoyed it all as much! Cheers!
Yeah I find my balance is more precarious than it was when I was younger I have to be conscious of balance when I'm doing things particularly River Crossings
been a tough summer, 53 yrs old and have a disorder called CVI, blood doesn't get back to my heart from my legs and it has been a tough spring-summer. waiting to get the ablation surgery done so I can get back on the trail. went from hiking weekly and a lot of weeks daily to having a hard time walking. I know in 2018 I knocked out literally 14 weeks straight of 25-30 mile weekend hikes. have not done a fraction of that the whole year. trying to be patient. want to be one of those 80 year old long distance hikers! :)
Thanks for the video. At 58, I'm starting to realize it's a bit harder to keep up with my younger friends. I realized a bucket list hike earlier this year and hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I put that trip off so many times and finally decided if I'm ever going to do it, i should now. Planning to hike Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in the fall. Seriously contemplating Mt Kilimanjaro. The one thing i really noticed as I have gotten older is how much foot shape changes. I used Brooks Cascadia's for a long time, but now they are just to narrow. I have always put off the PCT because of the time commitment - i will look into doing it in sections. Happy Hiking!
Great video! Since getting older I also have added a few sample packs of biofreeze to my first aid kit since i don't like taking ibuprofen very often. Especially good on hot days lol thanks a bunch, Dixie!
I've hiked consistently for 30 years. Just recently I've noticed changes. Recently I hit a wall on a challenging trail. It was sobering to realize I can't just push through as I always have without breaks. I had to stop a lot on this trail. Regardless, I finished and felt amazing.
That happened to me for the first time back in April. I was on the Keto diet at the time. My buddy gave me a snickers bar and I was good for the rest of the day. Thirty years ago I hiked for 5 days with nothing to eat. The body changes.
For sure avoid injuries for me and I'm 82 it means be more cautious with things like River Crossings and hill climbs with scree you just have to be more cautious
Good tips. I'm 74 and have been hiking all my life. For the past four years I have been working on completing the Washington part of the PCT. I'm old enough to remember hiking it when it was called the Cascade Crest Trail. This year I'm hiking my last section: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass, considered one of the most challenging sections of the entire PCT. My tip: for God's sake wear proper ankle high boots, not those puny trail runners. They will help you maintain your balance and prevent ankle sprains as well keeping your feet dry.
72 year old section hiker. I always train with my backpack about 2/3 normal trip weight. The biggest problem I have is balance problems over blow downs and river crossings. I’ll finish California on the PCT next year. Bugs is my trail name.
Hi Jim, I hear you about the balance issues. A few years ago I took a major fall (not hiking -:) and ended up in the hospital with a subdural hematoma. I'm recovered, but I now have to take care while hiking because things that didn't used to be an issue can quickly upset my balance. I'm much more cautious now about scree and gravel, etc. Recovering from a balance episode can be tricky. Once I start to lose it, it's almost impossible to stop mid-stream and not end up on the ground. It only takes a second to recover and keep on hiking, but in the instant it's a helpless and scary sensation.
@@Pilgrim771 I hear you John, I seem to be able to recover when I trip or lose my balance when my pack is lighter. Other times a stumble and I’m on the ground before I even know what happened. I have been doing balance exercises to see if it will help.
You nailed it Dixie! I attempted a thru hike this year, but was totally surprised at how much harder it was than in my 30’s (60’s now). This will not beat me! Getting right back in the saddle again next year. Going a bit slower…but going!
The obsession with “miles” can really be counterproductive. HYOK means *at your own pace.* People end up quitting because they push themselves too hard-don’t get me wrong, hard work is part of backpacking but pushing too hard trying to “keep up” or make certain mileage, can cause injuries and break spirits. As a 60 year old woman who has been backpacking since age 11, I speak from experience. I also have nine knee surgeries under my belt and know something about pain on the trail.
My regular hiking buddy, at 84 years young, does quite well! It certainly can't hurt that he stays active with our once a week hikes, plus three days a week he goes out for 4 mile runs. Last Thursday was a hike to the top of Mt San Jacinto in California, a grueling rocky obstacle course of a trail covering nearly 12 miles RT with a little boulder scrambling at the peak. Tomorrow will be another hike on the same mountain, but not to the peak this time. My avatar photo is from a 2018 hike to the same peak, but there is now a new sign! In 2019 the sign was just a piece of cardboard.
Dixie, many thanks for bringing up this subject. I am 62 and walk/hike in the UK mainly on the SW coast path. As others have said it is truly stunning. A few tips I think work for me. Start slowly as you warm up. I mean real slow. For the first 10 minutes it is a real slow walking around the department store speed. Next 10 minutes is a slightly faster bimble speed and finally for the next 10 minutes it's a slow Sunday walk speed to get the newspapers. Then you are at your normal hiking/walking speed. Sleep well. Yes I carry a few extra pounds but a good air mattress and pillow are the difference between a tolerable night's sleep and a good night sleep. Don't jump over obstacles or jump down onto lower areas of your path. Climb or scramble down/over them instead. It is easy to forget that you are carrying an extra 12 kg on your back and that weight x distance is additional force on your joints. Ouch. I have a couple of dodgy knees. 1 broken many years ago. Hiking poles. I think they help maintaining rhythm and momentum whilst climbing and take some strain off your knees when decending . I was very sceptical at first so only bought an inexpensive set but now looking for something a bit better. Take time to stop and look behind to see what you have done as well as what you have to look forward to.
Thanks for this. At 66, one thing I've noticed is that I'm much more sensitive to extreme heat than I was when younger. Also not sure what to do about it other than don't hike in the summer!
Same! I am 64 and my heart rate gets up higher in the heat, even if my pace and the terrain is the same. I live in Alabama, so it's hard to avoid the heat, but we try to get out very early in the day and get off the trail during the hottest hours.
Get comfortable with hiking in the dark. If you develop good map-reading and land navigation skills (old school) then you can do it with confidence. The #1 biggest Hazzard that hikers take out to the forest is an artificial schedule. Nature does not care about schedules. If you learn to get rid of a fixed timeline when you hike, and focus on actual conditions, then you can work with nature instead of fighting against it. Also, the popular way of stripping down with lots of bare skin to feel more dry actually robs you of more electrolytes than necessary. There's a reason they don't dress that way in the blazing hot Middle East. Sweat is good. Adding more water inside and out is better, especially around your head and neck. It's also an exception to the rule about wearing cotton. The hazard of wearing cotton when it gets cold is reversed. It holds your sweat making for more efficient cooling; just stick with loose lightweight stuff as best you can.
Here is my advice: don’t let the old man/woman in. Translated: some people when they turn a certain age, they check out/give up and hang up their trail runners. Age is just a number, attitude is what matters! 😀
I think there is a fake homemade wanderlust replying to many of the posts. Please ignore these telegram requests. I have deleted the app after investigating.
Great channel here, Dixie! I’m 60 now and just started hiking regularly about 4 years ago. My son and I spent a week in Yosemite in June 2022 and did 81 miles total, including the 19 mile Half Dome cables hike. We’re planning to bag our first 14er in Colorado in August. Go and see and do, don’t wait. I have noticed I’m more of a minority age-wise on the trail. People would say I’m inspiring and I had no idea what they were talking about! It’s just a ton of fun. I will say I need to work at it and bike/walk/hike/lift weights or something physical everyday to stay in shape. Your mental attitude is important also. My knees were starting to bother me to the point where I wore braces on them. I thought I would need to do some replacement surgery. Then I cut the sugar out of my diet and no more knee problems and no surgery needed. Also, I’m a big believer in trekking poles, they are a game changer no matter what your age. Keep the great content coming!
