High Sierra Topix

billy the kid wrote:hmmmm.... i wonder if im the youngest here can anybody beat 17

You win!

17 is but a faded memory for me.

My not so nimble fingers can hardly type but the legs still can kcik 15 plus days on the trail at 70. My main concession is letting mules take in the gear on day 1 if I am starting on the eastern side so I can acclimate better. My kids have clear instructions-ashes on the JMT.

OK, I posted my reply, 55 now, 56 later this year! I consider myself a "kid" in many respects (certainly my wife would agree w that!)

Anyway, wanted to share a brief story. A few years ago I was headed up toward Penner Lake, at the time leading a group of young backpackers. Along the way, (I was in the lead), I passed an older gentleman, reddish/grey hair-beard, obviously in his 60's minimum, who was coming out from wherever he'd been... he was solo.

I'll never forget that old guy... I aspire to be in my 60's / 70's & beyond & still be solo-backpacking in the Sierra!

He's kinda' my hero!

Wanderer, I've always had the same aspiration. On one of my first trips into the backcountry, I separately ran into two guys, each soloing, who were early 70's. They were both doing the entire JMT.

70 doesn't seem so ancient to me now that I'm 47, but I still dream of being able to do what they were doing when I in my 70's.

I'm 38. Besides some degenerated discs in my lower back (which thankfully are not affected by backpacking) and creaky-sounding knees, I feel the same as I did in my twenties. The people here in their 50s, 60s and 70s are truely inspirational. I too intend to keep active my entire life.

I see I'm in the most popular age group. I'm 51 and it's a great age! You have a ready-made excuse for all your shortcomings once you are over 50. Don't look my best today? Well, hey, what do you expect? I'm over 50. Misplaced my (whatever) that I just had one minute ago? That's to be expected at my age. Can't remember the names of my relatives? Same as above.

Yet I'm in better shape than I was 10 years ago.

Alice

Yeah I'm in one of the big clumpings: I just turned 47 today. I suppose some probably suspect I'm older than that because I tend to write about Sierran experiences that go back up to 40 years ago; this is a product of being introduced to the mountains at a young age by my dad. My first trip to the Sierra was 1965, I believe, and my first SPS summit was Alta Peak in 1967 (or maybe it was Mt. Hoffman?).

I'm not presently in top death march condition, but I don't blame that on age. I suspect that is mostly a product of not going up as much as I did in the past, particularly 1988-1997, when my wife and I were fishing anywhere from 50 to 105 different high country lakes a year (including some super remote ones), and 1979-1988, when my dad and I did our best quick strike peak bagging trips. The reduction in High Sierra trips is mainly a product of having young kids.

Like many recreational athletes, many parts show wear, particularly my knees (two operations on right side and various problems with both), and my back. Most of the wear and tear is a result of playing way too much basketball (don't play anymore), although I've been dinged up a few times on off trail backpacking trips (knee hyperextension on one, broken finger on another, broken ankle on yet another). In any case, I plan on being fit enough to be capable of off trail backpacking to remote Sierran destinations for many years. I will need to be so that I'll be able to take the kids up when they come of age (older one is 4, younger one is 9 mos.). Besides, I still have several hundred lakes targeted that I haven't fished yet.

One way or another 47 is old only if you're a professional athlete. In any other walk of life, including enjoyment of the Sierras, I believe 47 means one is still a young person.

Happy Birthday to you giantbrookie. (insert music)

I celebrated 46 while on the trail in Yosemite last month. Mentally? oh...29. I do credit my love of hiking/backpacking for my health, fitness and wellbeing. I'd probably be fat if I didn't hike.

I'll be 64 in a coupla months, and hope to be found on the trail near timberline anytime in the next few decades. Alive and hiking, that is! What a great group to be a part of! This poll is a neat idea, Eric, I had no idea we are all such youngsters!

I'll be 48 in a little over a month. My daily mileage is less than it was when I was in my twenties but I am still out there.