zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,997
|
Post by zeke on Jul 18, 2015 8:24:31 GMT -8
But, it seems that you are enjoying kayaking as much if not more than backpacking now. So, that is an adjustment. True. I do kayak more now, and it is easier to haul gear when the boat carries the load. I found myself kayaking originally so I could get outside more in the BP'ing off season. I went from BP'ing, football, and basketball seasons to Bp'ing, football, basketball, and kayaking seasons. Somehow, most of them overlap.
|
|
|
Post by hikerjer on Jul 18, 2015 18:23:35 GMT -8
My recent knee surgery has obviously slowed me down and probably will for another six months or so. However, even before that I found myself doing more day hikes and less overnighters. On overnighters, I found 10 miles was a pretty good day, less in rough terrain. I'm also sticking more to trails rather than cross country. I'm really trying to avoid boulder fields and significantly steep downhill. We'll have to see what the future holds. I know that as I age, I won't be able to do all the things I used to, but there is still a lot backcountry to see. The rocking chair hasn't beckoned too much, yet. I remain optimistic.
|
|
no_granola
Trail Wise!
Eating f***ing pie. Duh.
Posts: 88
|
Post by no_granola on Jul 18, 2015 18:53:34 GMT -8
I don't hike as far and I carry more beer. Will you change that beverage to wine for me, if we ever get to hike together? I'm sure we can work something out.
|
|
|
Post by hikinggods on Jul 19, 2015 20:40:51 GMT -8
So far, no physical issues to slow me down (I feel VERY lucky that this is the case). 30 years ago, I wouldn't have guessed I would be going strong at 56. But, my spouse is starting to have problems with his knee and big toe joint that threaten to slow us down as a team. I am currently trying to reassure him that not every knee pain means a knee replacement. He doesn't seem very reassured....
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,372
|
Post by BigLoad on Jul 20, 2015 7:31:09 GMT -8
My bad knee won't let me run, I've never been a runner. I think that is part of why my knees are still in good working order. Ironically, the decisive injury came from backpacking. I stood up from a crouch wearing a heavy pack and heard a loud pop. The next 10 miles were unpleasant.
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 15,391
|
Post by driftwoody on Jul 20, 2015 16:06:14 GMT -8
Better lightweight gear; more exercise before a big trip (I don't get out nearly as often as I'd like); and a plan with fewer miles per day & more options including potential bail outs. I'll be 58 in a couple months, and have been very fortunate with no major physical problems. I still compete in slowpitch softball 3 nights/week plus 8-9 Senior (55+) weekend tournaments.
|
|
echo
Trail Wise!
Posts: 3,388
|
Post by echo on Jul 20, 2015 16:29:16 GMT -8
Maybe part of the aging process that is hardest for me to accept is how something that was "nothing" can suddenly change everything. Thursday I was putting my granddaughter in her car seat. Left leg on the ground, right knee on the van floor, barely leaning into the van. Suddenly there is a loud snap, like a bunch or rubber bands just popped all at once, and a fraction of a second later, an impact in my calf like someone had thrown a rock, hard at me. I gasped, grabbed my leg, told the babies mom it was just a cramp, and got in the van, but in five minutes knew I needed the Dr. She says a tendon snapped and now I'm on ice and elevation and massage. Even a little stretching and walking is painful. So all my rest of the summer plans for running down to the river to swim and go rafting look impossible, because the bank and rocks would be impossible. It was like that moment you drop something made of glass and stare at it, thinking how it had all been whole and it should be easy to blink and get it back the way it was, but the change is irrevocable.
now five days later, the pain has gone down some but the whole leg from knee to ankle is purple. I tried the simples PT stretch I was suggested and nearly screamed when I came out of the stretch.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,372
|
Post by BigLoad on Jul 20, 2015 16:38:36 GMT -8
Ouch!
|
|
echo
Trail Wise!
Posts: 3,388
|
Post by echo on Jul 20, 2015 21:20:11 GMT -8
![](http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll8/pandorasecho/image.jpg1_zpsbyn8eaqb.jpg) For now, the pain has faded enough to make watching the colors develop kind of entertaining
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,895
|
Post by rebeccad on Jul 22, 2015 13:16:45 GMT -8
(I was more interested in sports & girls when I was 16 myself) You will have a brief window of opportunity from now (for Tommy) until about 14, maybe 15. Then you are right, they will probably lose interest for a few years. But you have planted the love well, so the odds are very good that they will come back to it later. Maybe, maybe not. Our guys have always willingly gone with us. Though this summer we have only one, it's because the other is off exploring Mongolia (on a VERY well-regulated trip, because he's only 16!). I'm actually less sure about the girls, but what do I know? I have none, and never counted for much of one myself.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,895
|
Post by rebeccad on Jul 22, 2015 13:21:32 GMT -8
We made our biggest changes years ago, when the boys were little. We dropped from long miles to basically half days, with lots of time in camp for fun (kids) and rest (adults). We also dropped a bunch of weight out of our wallets, which dropped the pack weight a lot. It's gone down a little every year, which has allowed us to actually increase mileages each year (still ending almost every hiking day by 1 or 2 p.m.).
This summer Eldest Son carried more weight than I did. And we did some of the longest and hardest miles we've done since before kids. The main thing is, I have to stretch diligently every evening, and I require a thick mattress and a couple of ibuprofen to sleep at night (sadly, that is also often true at home, but that being the case, what the hell. I might as well hike).
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,997
|
Post by zeke on Jul 22, 2015 13:30:31 GMT -8
Did ES take Alpine Col, or the climb up and over?This summer Eldest Son carried more weight than I did. And we did some of the longest and hardest miles we've done since before kids.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,895
|
Post by rebeccad on Jul 22, 2015 19:14:16 GMT -8
Zeke, ES took the Keyhole route, with his dad. My brother-in-law and I nearly killed ourselves getting over Alpine Col because we were scared of the wrong thing. Fortunately, that was the next-to-last day so we weren't carrying much food.
|
|
|
Post by mtngrl on Jul 23, 2015 10:02:27 GMT -8
At this point, I have decided to not beat myself/body up hiking or backpacking long miles. I have lessened the weight in my daypack and backpack and when backpacking I have not taken a stove in years, just eat cold food and am fine with that. Years ago my knees were worse than they are now. I am, and always have been a slow hiker and don't worry too much about that. I love my hiking poles. I think there may be some hills I may not have gotten up without them. I like going with friends and talking and sharing what natural beauty we see and the fun bantering and then later the sharing of those memories.
|
|