How Old?

[maverick]

Just curious. Do you actually ask someone how old they are? Or do people really volunteer such information?

Personally, have not, and would not ask a stranger their age, they usually volunteer it during our discussions. Some folks are sensitive about their age, which I respect.

[Dave_Ayers]

IIRC, my Dad was 80 during his last successful overnight trip.

[cgundersen]

Steve T and everyone else: 84 over Junction Pass is definitely incredible. I still cringe at the thought of what I felt like on my only time on that route, so yes, these and similar reports are definitely inspiring. Maybe HST can sponsor an octogenarians bragging zone? Cameron

[oleander]

My uncle did his last backpacking trip at age 87, and his last rappelling in the Canyonlands area of Utah (annual trip for him) at age 88. He used to climb Mount Hoffman (Yosemite) every year in July, for his birthday. I think his last Hoffman ascent was at age 86 or 87.

Now at 90, he is still doing 6-8 mile hikes in the Bay Area. He headed up to Kaiser Pass area for some day hikes this past summer.

[mckee80]

I met a 79 year old guy staying at Garnet Lake with his two kids and grandson. He had an artificial hip and an artificial shoulder. I sure hope I can get around like that in 30 years!

[bobby49]

Back around 1985, I met Hulda Crooks, a.k.a. Grandma Whitney. She and her family were going up the Mount Whitney Trail to the summit. She was 89 years old at the time, and that was her 22nd time to bag the summit. Her family was carrying all of the heavy stuff, naturally. She passed away when she was in her nineties, and Crooks Peak was named for her (very near Whitney).

Geez, when I get to be 89, I will be happy if I am just breathing, much less going up Whitney.