Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:49 am
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.
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.