How to Backpack Over 60: Tips and Tricks
Backpacking, from weekend trips to section hikes or thru-hikes on long-distance trails, has become an increasingly popular activity for older adults, some well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. Far from being outliers, seniors on the trail bring valuable experience, determination, and a unique perspective to these epic journeys. But embarking on any multi-day backpacking trip after 60 comes with distinct challenges and opportunities. Drawing from my experience as a backpacking guide and as an experienced backpacker over 60, here’s a guide to help you succeed on your venture.
Why Backpack After 60?
Backpacking trips, be they weekend trips or multi-week thru-hikes, offer benefits at any age, such as immersion in nature, improved physical health, and the satisfaction of completing a significant goal. For those over 60, the rewards can be even greater. Many older adults or retirees have fewer work commitments, allowing more time for extended adventures. The trail community is welcoming and often inspired by older hikers. Plus, studies show that physical activity and outdoor engagement can help maintain mental sharpness and emotional well-being.
Preparation: Start Early and Train Smart
Successful backpacking starts well before you set foot on a trail. While age brings wisdom, it also brings physiological changes: muscle mass decreases, joints stiffen, and recovery can take longer. Targeted preparation can help make you stronger, faster, and less prone to injury if you gradually ramp up your endurance and trail legs.
Practice Hikes
Day hikes and short overnight trips are the best preparation because they help your body adapt to the weight and motion of hiking with a loaded backpack and gear adjuncts like trekking poles, which are helpful to maintain your balance on uneven terrain. They allow you to dial in the clothing that you’ll use on longer trips and practice layering with it in different weather conditions, such as rain.
Day hikes are great because they let you assess different types of footwear, practice packing different loads (for weight training), use your water filter, apply first aid, go to the bathroom outdoors if you’re not already an expert, do map-reading, or use a GPS/Smartphone navgation app, which are skills and habits you’ll need on multi-day trips too.
Cardiovascular Endurance
Walking daily, especially if you gradually increase the distance and elevation you climb, is a great way to get in shape for longer hikes and backpacking trips. It can also be performed on trails or even on a treadmill in the gym. I know people who train for mountaineering expeditions by wearing their mountaineering boots and carrying a fully loaded backpack on a stairmaster! You don’t have to do anything that extreme, but getting your heart rate up by hiking hills pays dividends when you need to do it for real on a backpacking trip.
Strength and Flexibility Training
Strength and Flexibility training can also help you get in shape for backpacking. The best strength exercises will mimic the functional movement you need on the trail, such as forward and reverse lunges, squats, step-ups, and farmer carries. Yoga is also a great way to get more flexible and improve your balance on one leg. An introductory class, once or twice a week, is excellent to get started.
Medical Issues
If you’re over 60 and haven’t done any day-hiking or backpacking previously, I recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before you get started to discuss chronic conditions, medications, and any vaccinations you might want.
A lot of people over 60 also take daily medications, and you’ll want to figure out how to carry them on longer backpacking trips, especially if they’re outside of the country. How will you keep them dry if you’re hiking and camping in rainy or damp conditions? How will you get prescription refills abroad? How will you stick to your existing medication schedule? What emergency medications should you bring with you, such as EPIPENS, pain killers, antibiotics, or heart medications? These are all issues that demand thought and preparation.
Gear: How to Lighten the Load Without Sacrificing Comfort
Ultralight backpacking is popular among all ages but can be especially helpful for seniors. Reducing pack weight lessens joint stress and fatigue.
Here are key considerations:
Backpack: Choose one with good support but minimal weight. Backpacks with frames are easier to pack and carry than frameless backpacks. If you’re on a limited budget, there are plenty of excellent ultralight backpacks available that cost less than $250.
See: Best Ultralight Backpacks Under $250
Sleeping System: Modern inflatable sleeping pads are lighter and more comfortable than ever. Get one that has a higher R-value, which is at least 3″ thick when inflated, to help your body recover overnight. Older hikers tend to sleep colder than younger ones, so get a warmer quilt or sleeping bag, since getting a good night’s sleep is so essential to help you recover from the day’s exertions.
Shelter: There are many options, including tents, tarps, or hammocks. While light weight is important, make sure the shelter you choose is “right” for the terrain you plan to hike in and that you can set it up in bad weather and still remain dry. If you’re on a limited budget, there are plenty of great ultralight tents available under $300.
See: Best Ultralight Tents under $300
Footwear: Lightweight trail runners may be easier on joints than heavy boots, but make sure they offer adequate support and cushioning to prevent plantar fasciitis or twisted ankles. Consider swapping out the insoles that come with your shoes with more supportive insoles.
Clothing: Layering is key since older adults may feel cold more easily. However, you want to avoid bringing too many clothes, since they can make your backpack much heavier.
Don’t cut corners on safety gear: carry a first aid kit, navigation tools (map/compass/GPS), a satellite messenger, a good headlamp, and enough layers for unexpected weather.
Trail Strategy
Pace Yourself
Older hikers will tell you that steady progress beats speed. Listen to your body; take breaks as needed, and don’t compare yourself to younger hikers’ mileage. Starting slower allows your body to adapt safely.
Rest and Recovery
Quality sleep is crucial. Plan shorter days at first, include regular zero (rest) days, and consider “near-o” days (short mileage days into towns for resupply or rest).
Nutrition and Hydration
Caloric needs are higher on a backpacking trip, but older adults may have reduced appetites or dietary restrictions. Focus on nutrient-dense foods: nuts, dried fruits, whole grain tortillas, nut butters, tuna packs, and instant oatmeal are all lightweight options. Test out dehydrated or freeze-dried food beforehand to make sure you like them, since carrying food you don’t like makes it much more difficult to get the calories you need.
Hydration is critical; carry enough water between sources and use reliable filtration or purification methods. Some medications or age-related changes may affect thirst cues, so drink regularly even if you aren’t thirsty.
Managing Health Concerns
Many hikers over 60 manage chronic issues like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Strategies include:
- Medications: Bring extra medication and keep it dry. Set reminders if needed.
- Knee pain: While trekking poles reduce knee stress, consider knee braces if you find that they provide added support and reduce pain.
- Foot care: Inspect feet daily for blisters or sores; change socks regularly, or tape feet to prevent blisters.
- Recovery time: Older bodies need more recovery. Take time to stretch in camp, use a foam roller or massage ball if possible, and prioritize sleep.
- Injury prevention: Falls are a greater risk as balance wanes with age. Use trekking poles religiously, take care with tricky terrain, and don’t rush descents.
Logistics: Planning for Success
Resupply Strategy
For long section hikes or thru-hikes, plan resupply points ahead of time. By mailing boxes to hostels or post offices, you can ensure that you have specialized food or medications that might not be available in small trail towns.
Communication
Carry a cell phone or satellite communicator for emergencies. They’re also handy for arranging shuttles or making hostel reservations if you want to take a break and get off the trail for a while. In addition, leave your itinerary with someone at home and check in regularly.
Adjusting Plans
Flexibility is important. Weather delays, injuries, or just needing more rest days are all normal. Don’t hesitate to adjust your schedule as needed.
Mindset: Attitude Is Everything
Backpacking has as much to do with mental resilience as physical fitness. Older hikers often bring decades of problem-solving skills and adaptability, which are valuable assets when facing the inevitable challenges of trail life. Setbacks happen: bad weather, aches and pains, or homesickness can affect anyone.
Conclusion
Backpacking over 60 isn’t just possible—it’s increasingly common and deeply rewarding. Preparation is key: train your body, choose your gear carefully, listen to your needs, and don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed. With patience and determination, backpacking can be one of the most transformative experiences of your life—proof that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date.
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All good stuff Phil, thanks.
I’d add a bit-
Two (2) head lamps. Check the charge on them and electronics for charge. Bring extra battery for all. Inclued a reminder on your printed list as it’s easier to forget things now. My list now always includes a dozen thing at the bottom so as not to forget to list them even if they are in the main part for counting weight. Started that after a trip to the dacks. When going a distance I always put hiking socks and boots on at the trail head. 2 hrs into the drive I realized boots were still at home-ugh.
Knees- don’t underestimate the relationship with your feet. For insoles be sure to test them. Many inclrease the drop. There is a point where too much drop strains knees and hips. I have a foot issue and a knee problem and tested every aftermarket insole there is. Most increase knee pain quickly. To fix the foot problem I ended up with custom orthotics which helped my knee immensly (along with a specific brand of boots) Doing a series of stretches a few times every day helps. Braces don’t work for my knee, I own 3 or 4 and any of them make it worse. Going to an ortho this week and hoping to get a strapping method that may help? After they image the knee I’m going to my MLS laser treatment guy who’s done wonders for my back hopeing that may help.
Weight and money- there’s a limit to how much I can spend to lighten the load (not spending $50 to dave a single ounce) But I’ve also found I’m willing to count ouces and pounds but not grams. Sometimes the ideal answer is not the lightest. There are times I will bring a pump filter instead of the BeFree (or both) depending on the likely water sources (and always backup tablets). Or for a few extra ounces carry the Kovea Spyder instead of the Amicus.
Packs is one area where my thinking has recently changed. While the 7 lb expedition pack of yore is long gone I’m a little more concerned with how a pack carries than what it weights. My go to is a Circuit. I recently tried a Catalyst for longer trips and to fit a full bear canister. Was a no go for me, may be better suited to someone broader. Ended up with a Radix at almost a pound more but the carry is so much better. Read someone ask somewhere- “does your pack feel that much better on the way out when it’s a few pounds lighter because the food is gone and there is less water to carry?” Not for me.
Finding folks to play with isn’t all that easy at this age. My long term hiking buddy became unavailable several years ago from a combination physical trouble and a fly tying obsession. I joined the ADK (again after many years). Plenty of mature folks there, been times I’m the kid (73). A lot of the trips the clubs do are base camping; pack in a few miles, camp then day hike for a couple of days. While I’ve always preferred roving backpacks, new camp every night. Base camping is a much simpler option though so have started to do that sometimes (and can get my wife to car camp :)
Adventure doesn’t have an expiration date- you bet. I’m happy even if all I can get is 2, 3 4 nights. Still, over the last few I’ve managed to get to some places I use to dream about. This July going to Iceland with my 30 y.o grandson for 10 days. He’s a photographer so I don’t have to worry about pace. I came across these two trails, Laugevegur and Fimmvörðuháls, a year and a half ago while chaperoning my little sister on a tour in Iceland. Changed the plan; nstead we’ve opted to cherry pic trails from 2 base camps; one camp at each end of the Laugevegur and do the Fimmvörðuháls S to N (the better way) in between.
Great comment. Currex insoles preserve the zero drop. I just started using them this past year.
Tried those, don’t remember if they affected the knee but didn’t help with the foot. Before the custom orthotics I was using Sole Active. Didn’t affect the knee and helped some with the foot. Spent two years trying to solve the foot- 3 Podiatrists and multiple inserts. Read everything you wrote about feet and tried it all. Turned out to be an unusual problem. I supinate and pronate in the same step causing pressure on the sural nerve at my ankle.
I forgot one important tip. I keep everything but clothes in labeled bins. I have one labeled “Always” for stuff that goes on every hike-day or backpack. It has first aid, emergency repair, bathroom, etc along with two small stuff sacks each containing all critical small stuff and some backups for things forgotten in the past or once lost on the trail. (eyeglasses and sunglasses, bug spray, second compass, fire…)
Overall great article and you seemed to cover all the bases.
A couple of points I would like to make about hiking over 70 not 60.
First is when it comes to backpacking light is right. Always has been always will be . Arguably that applies to any age.
I used to hike with a firefighter from New York. He carried so much weight even in the summer time it was astonishing. So much so that when we started the trip and each of us used the scale to measure starting weight he refused to be part of it.
His pack easily weighed I guess 60 pounds with all manner of gadgets and gear. He absolutely refused to pare down his pack weight.In the mornings it easily took him two hours to break camp.
As I thought about it he became a liability to the group as he probably would have been the one to injure himself first and be a trip ender.
Why am I sharing this? Choose your hiking partners wisely. They can and do affect a trips outcome and enjoyment.
I’m still trying to go lighter but it gets expensive real quick. Its good money spent though as it still beats an extrication from a heavily loaded pack causing an injury you can’t recover from on the trail.
Second -since breaking the 70 barrier hiking partners are few and far between so I usually hike solo. This is not ideal as an injury on the trail magnifies a possible unexpected overnighter or worse a rescue attempt.
My fitness routine is Mountain biking for Cardio and lifting weights for strength. Both have helped me hike more confidently and with less fatigue. In this age group preparation is essential.
I usually pace myself well and don’t jump off any rocks or high spots in the trail. Easy does it is the order of the day.Sometimes you have to give careful thought about how you are going to ascend or descend a sketchy trail.
I’m doing my 46ers in the Daks and some
of those trails are extreme and a partner would be helpfull. You would think that being retired has helped that scenario but the age group I’m in is hard a best to have a solid partner.
For me I’ll take a backpack in and set up a base camp . From there will do day hikes for summits.I like that plan as I can spend a couple of nights in the woods. No more carrying a heavy pack over summits for me anymore.
As the list gets smaller for summits left it gets harder to do multiple mountains in one trip. . Sometimes I only get one mountain. I still have to be gratefull for whatever I can get though.
As of this writing three to go so hopefully finish by end of 2025.
Hope this helps.
Great stuff! I’m not there yet (mid 50’s) but will add that the older I get the less I pay attention to distance and the more I pay attention to elevation gain. 15 miles and 2k’ would be a relatively easy day. 10 miles and 5k’ would be a tough day. Mapping software/websites really make that planning a lot easier than it would have been 20 years ago.
Funny – I thought up an article today on how to figure out elevation gain for beginners and what it means in terms of difficulty
Hi Phil,
Do you have any readers or hiking friends that have had a hip replacement? If so can they hike the mountains and long trails?
Getting one the end of August, my Doc says I will be back hiking, riding my bike and deer hunting and with no problems. It is worn out with arthritis.
Thank you Phil
Randy
I do, but we’ve fallen out of touch, but don’t worry about a hip replacement. They were all hiking again in no time. Also, my ex had one and she was up and around in no time at all. It was pretty incredible and a big upgrade in her life.
I have a left TKR and a right THR. I’m doing the JMT in July. I’m 72. Last August going nobo following a plan I’d used in 2018, I found I can’t cover the same miles as easily. I was late into camp most days and not enjoying the pace. This year, having gotten the hard to get Golden Ticket going sobo to Mount Whitney from Lyell Canyon, I’ve planned for fewer miles per day and resupply as frequently as possible to keep my pack weight down. I find I walk slower and am more effected by steeper sections. Also a bit more physically cautious. Big and awkward steps are more enervating, but my knee and hip are holding up just fine. I’ve been carry a fully loaded pack for over a month on morning dog walks and am adding in multiple training hikes a week now. I’m also making sure I’m at fighting weight before heading out. Every extra pound is like putting a rock in your pack.
+1 on use hiking poles religiously, particularly on long down hills. They protect your ankles and knees from the impact of a zillion foot plants, foot plants that inevitably slide a bit. Those minor slips add up, but with poles the wear and tear on your joints is minimized.
First time I used poles I made a near 7,000′ descent from the top of southern Utah’s Navajo Mountain to Rainbow Bridge. Mostly off trail. The next morning I realized that my legs, ankles and hips ached – but equally side to side. No trouble spots, just reasonable aches.
I use sturdy Leki aluminum poles that I originally got for backcountry skiing. Maybe a tad heavy compared to carbon lightweights but they have never let me down. And I have really whomped on them a half dozen times when things got rowdy and I was stumbling. They have bent but never snapped. And I was able to bend them back into good shape.
Nice article. I hope to read another when in ten years, when we are hiking though our seventies and eighties.
Great article. We likewise have trouble finding people to share backpacking at our ages (72 and 74). We have always been dayhikers, but did not start backpacking until 2012, when we were 59 and 61. We find the main activity of others in our age group is what we call “recreational eating.” One solution is to go on guided backpacking trips, which typically have at least 5 other people plus the guide. We’ve taken many trips with Wildland Trekking and Sierra Mountain Center. Mule support trips are also a great option, especially for longer trips (6 – 10 days).
We find fast riding on our tandem bike is great for cardiovascular training. We’re not as fast as we used to be, but are lately averaging over 17 mph regarding of the distance. We luckily live in a rural county where we can go on long rides with little traffic and no stop lights. My average heart rate on such rides is about 130, maxing out at 150 on hills. My resting HR is 60 and “theoretical” max HR is 146, but my cardiologist says such a high HR during biking is fine because I do it all the time. So far in June we’ve done 8 rides and 309 miles.
Sore knee: I’ve had a sore right knee for many years, with moderate osteoarthritis. Had surgery for a miniscus flap tear 3 years ago, so had to stop running. Like another commenter, knee braces seem to make the pain worse. After months of PT starting in late 2024, along with an injection, my sports med doctor recommended getting Radio Frequency Ablation, which will be done on June 18. RFA is similar to an ablation for AFib (which I had done in 2015), so I’m familiar with the procedure. It basically deadens the nerves in the knee so that you don’t have the debilitating pain. I’ll see how it goes. I’ll still do the home PT, which is intended to stretch out the muscles above and below the knee.
My biggest problem in the past has been hiking downhill, especially in those parts of the Sierras where the trails have the high “Sierra Steps” designed to accommodate mules. I’ve found that hiking “downhill” on our treadmill with a 30-pound pack is good training for those kind of downhills.
Packs: We have tried many packs, and have sent most of them back to REI or to Geartrade. Yes, lighter is not necessarily better. Our “go to” packs are now the Mystery Ranch Coulee 50L for shorter trips, and the larger Radix for longer trips. Yes, they’re heavier but they provide day-long comfort.
We’re going to try a light weight tent next month for the first time, a Trap Tent Double Rainbow. I suspect our favorite tent will remain our Hilleberg Rogan, however. Not light, but indestructible.
We likewise can’t imagine backpacking without hiking poles. They provide support and have kept me from falling a number of times.
Again, a great article with many good suggestions. I did not check the box to subscribe because I am already a subscriber.
And an equally great comment. Thx!
We’re senior backpackers, too, 71 and 78, who frequently backpack with a small group of friends also in their 60’s and 70’s. We’ve found that taking frequent pack-off breaks help keep our backs and shoulders from aching. We also plan our daily mileages so as to get to our campsite with plenty of daylight left to do our chores, like setting up a bear bag line (not everyone carries a bear cannister, and not every tentsite has a bear box), filtering water, and setting up tents and hammocks while it’s still light out, and dipping swollen, tired feet in a cold stream.
Lastly, a word about sleep systems. I’ve never had a good night’s sleep in a tent. I recently purchased a Wanderlust hammock sleep system, and now I sleep like a log! A good night’s sleep is priceless!
I forgot to mention that we’ve found weight training to be very helpful. We went to the gym 2-3 times/week until our gym closed during COVID. Last month we joined another gym and quickly found that our shoulders, back and arms are getting in much better shape. We use the machines, not free weights. The members of the new gym have an average age of about 60, so we feel right at home. I concur with Marion, frequent packs-off breaks are important, as is getting into camp early enough to set up everything and let dinner “settle” before getting into the sleeping bag/hammock/quilt.
Great article and commentary! At 67 it’s getting more challenging to do high altitude, off trail, 8-10m +2000′ gain days. Dialing it back slowly, but so much left to see.
I had a major hip issue this year (torn labrum). For 2 months I couldn’t walk 50′ without taking a knee. 6 months later I completed a 30m, +5600′ gain 4 day backpack topping out near 12000′. I still have issues and a replacement is the best solution per my surgeon’s advice, even though he is an expert at hip labral repair. Said it’s a much faster recovery, excellent long term results. High impact would be out, but that’s no longer possible anyway.
Speaking of high impact: I’ve used trekking poles for the past 20 years. Had a knee reconstruction 15 yrs ago that took 6 mths of recovery prior to resuming big backpacks. I take downhills much slower these days as it still can get inflammed. Most older adults also have some degenerative disc disease. The X-rays from my hip issue showed “moderate-to-severe” DDD with recommendations to stop high impact (eg, HIIT exercises), reduce pack weight and use poles. I use mid boots (Salewa Mtn Trainer or Rapace) with GTX (no option) as those are the ones that fit my narrow, high instep feet, have good traction and protect my ankles from sharp granite scrapes. Swapped custom insoles for Powerstep High or TreadLabs Pace.
Total pack weight is indeed important, but so is comfort, safety and affordability. My Big 3 are now at 6.5 lb (20yr old WM Versalite 10F, SWD Rugged Long Haul, Tarptent Dipole 1DW). But add ons like Ursack XL, Garmin Mini 2 (girlfriend forced that purchase), warmer clothing, power pack (for smartphone/camera) add to the baseweight. I don’t try to compete with the younger UL group, though I do read through their ideas. Latest gear changes are a FairPointe AD replacing a non-hooded R1 and a Warbonnet Stash Rain Jacket replacing a Marmot Precip. The starting weight on week long trips is still near 30 lbs even with only 1.5L of water.
Maybe it’s just myself, but something that hasn’t been mentioned are digestion issues on the trail. Nothing to do with contamination either. Every time I do a strenuous backpack, especially at higher elevation (9000’+) I end up with some extent of what I believe is EID (Exercise Induced Diarrhea). I haven’t solved the problem yet. Usually try for 10 miles, +2000′ on the entry day to get to alpine fast, carrying ~30 lbs for a 5-6 day trip in shoulder season at 10000′. I even counted fiber consumption too, making sure that soluble fiber exceeded insoluble. So, until resolved after the first few days, I carry plenty of immodium and extra TP!
Never hear about EID. Have to look into that. Have you consider a bidet plug-on for a water bottle? Immodium is a must carry. It comes in very handy out there.
Yes, I looked into the bidet options. Carry a small squeeze bottle that fits inside the TP roll vs possible contamination of a water bottle. It’s an uncomfortable subject matter, but a consistent problem. Had it again on a recent trip to the Pecos. Just 7m/d, but +5700′ first 2 days. Girlfriend also had similar issues. Toss up who got the last dose of Immodium. Zero issues on 8.5m day hike +2900′ to 13K.
I’ve been backpacking over 60 for 13 years now. I can’t do the miles I used to but I enjoy it more. My gear is lighter and I’m way more conscious of not carrying anything what isn’t useful. I used to do the South Rim hike in Big Bend National Park as day hikes, sometimes hiking that 17 mile loop on consecutive days. Now, I pull a permit and spend a few nights up there. My overnight gear isn’t much heavier than the day pack I carried way back when.
Of course, theres the saying, “We pack our fears”, which is definitely true for me. I carry a battery pack for my phone because I rely on it so much for navigation. My sister gave me a combination battery pack/hand warmer for the Reynaud’s which affects my fingers severely when they get wet or cold. My fingers have turned white and painful at 68F (20C) when they got wet.
Aside from packing my fears, my gear weight has been pared down, however, being caught in the most intense storm I’ve ever experienced on the trail taught me I few things that I need to have in the future. Although my sleeping gear was dry when I got to a shelter, I had no dry pants to change into. Into the inner sanctum goes a lightweight pair of pants just for that purpose. The microfiber cloth that I took out before that section goes back in so that I can dry off. I will also keep a few chemical hand warmers and preemptively activate them if caught in another cold rain.
The Raynaud’s that afflicts my hands was so bad that it took me an hour to get a pair of gloves on using my teeth and even then, I only got them part way on and it also took me that hour to try to get a pair of dry socks on. With my damp hands and feet, I couldn’t get either the socks or gloves all the way on because they kept sticking on the wet skin. I couldn’t get the socks past my heels because my hands were useless. It took another hour before I had enough dexterity to open my pocket knife so that I could open a package for supper. I couldn’t even get a hand warmer packet open. This experience did tell me that next time a storm like that hits, open a hand warmer packet immediately so that once I’m out of the storm, I will have some warmth in my hands. The Reynaud’s is something I need to really take seriously and be proactive in how I handle it.
Another issue is the severe back problems I have, which causes me to live in a sea of pain. People ask, “If you hurt so much, why do you backpack?” I reply that I can hurt at home or I can hurt out in the beauty of Creation, either way, I’ll be in pain, so I’ll just have some fun while I hurt. That being said, I usually have to schedule steroid injections in my spine before I hit the trail and I carry some heavy duty prescription pain meds. Without the meds, I wouldn’t be able to function. Backpacking, although good for the body, is also hard on the body, so I take more of the stronger pain meds while hiking than at home.
I may have to give up and have another back fusion. I’ve got visits with sugeons coming up to game plan what I need to do. I’m sick of major back surgeries–I’ve had way too many, but if another one is necessary, I need to have it done while I’m still healthy enough to recover well. The down time while recovering cuts into my backpacking plans. At my age, the window for hiking some of the areas I want to is closing, so rehab time after surgery becomes an issue.
I’ve also had a couple bouts of plantar fasciitis while hiking in Rocksylvania. I even got it in both feet. Now, when I’m planning a long section hike, I have the doctor do injections in my feet to calm them down. I haven’t had a bout of PF since I started having the injections.
Getting old is a pain… but it beats the alternative… and keeps the medical industry afloat!
Great article and interesting comments. For me at 61, it’s mostly a mental game. I’m in decent shape although not amazing and of course I work at it or wouldn’t be doing anything. But in my head I always have this “end date” in mind, and it’s hard to let go of that. Everyone has a date beyond which they will not be backpacking but like life itself, we don’t know when it is. So when I screw up and do a face plant, for example, I think “is this it? Am I too old?” Or when it takes 2 days to recover from a really challenging hike, I wonder if I should still be doing it at all. But of course I should! it’s just harder than it used to be.
Old people who keep hiking, backpacking, biking or whatever are tough in all kinds of ways, but a lot of it is just accepting that things are harder, hurt more, and adjust accordingly. And keep going one step at a time.
I’m a bit older than you and I don’t have an end date in mind. In fact, I’m probably in better shape now than I was when I was 40. I think (some) people live a lot longer than those in the previous generation, but the media and the general population think that you’re a broken man or woman when you turn 60 and have one foot in the grave. That’s just not the case anymore. I still have all my teeth and I’m in great shape. Both my parents got past 90 and were quite active until they weren’t. I’m healthier than they were and I think I’ll be around much longer. In fact, I’m planning on it!