I was 51 when I thru-hiked. My motto was to use age and guile to make up for lost youth and strength. Good luck!
i'm 52, retiring this march.... i'm in good shape.... i'm going for it baby!!!!!!!!
52,feel 85 sometimes..... but still going to try!!!!
Have to agree with Winged Monkey. With age we get experience and hopefully common sence. Nothing like a challange as long as it remains fun. Go for it.
Keep in mind that you don't have to "outhike" anyone. You can just go at whatever pace is comfortable. As others have said, there are many AT hikers over 50 out there.
I'm 57 and have been section hiking the AT for over 15 years. It's gotten tougher over the years since I am in the Whites right now but I intend to finish one of these days.
I will be 59 when I start my thru hike this October SOBO and turn 60 on the trail somewhere. I think that I am not stronger than I was in my thirties but definitely wiser. Time has always been the issue to do the entire trail in one outing. I completed the AT NOBO in the early 90's with section hikes , so now the twist is I will be doing the entire AT in the winter and hopefully be in Springer when the 2012 NOBO's are starting out. can't wait to see their faces! Live your dreams and have fun doing it.
I'm 56 and have been section hiking the AT since 1997. This summer I'm doing the Whites in NH. I can't say it gets easier, but with time I have developed more skill. I'm still excited by "getting out there" and I'm determined to finish the AT. I say go for it. If you have a passion for something, never give up your dreams. I too see plenty of people out there older than myself who are doing just fine. I'll never forget meeting Grandaddy Longlegs (age 75 at the time)on the way up Katahdin.
my husband and I are planning on our first hike on the AT just 4 days in the smokey mountain national park, we have only done dayhiking 4-6 miles we are 55 and 71 never carried a pack , I am most concerned about sleeping as I have a very comfy bed, Thinking about getting a hammock
I'm 58! Last year my older sister and I hiked from Springer to Woody Gap. My sister decided that this type hiking was not her thing! She much prefers base camping! So in a week I plan to take up where I left off and cover as many miles as I can in the week I have! I plan to continue in this manner , picking away at the trail a little at a time, until I reach a point where I'm able to retire! Then God willing I will attempt a thru hike!
I'm not in perfect shape, but I'm in better shape at 58 than many of my co-workers who are 20 - 30 years younger!
I say listen to what your body tells you. Use that information wisely and GO FOR IT!
Piling on here, Mary and I are in our mid-50s and planning a thru next year. We're walking or bicycling every day, and backpacking at every opportunity. This winter we'll be out on snow shoes. We're fine tuning gear, and getting our pack weight down to where we can carry 5-7 days worth of food with pack weights of 30 lbs. We can't remember when we felt better. Go for it!
Ldog
The Laughing Dog Blog
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
There is no reason at all you couldn't do a thru hike in your 50's if you are already in great shape. I thru hiked last year and finished 4 days after I turned 59. I'm a runner and actually found the physical demands of the trail to be easier than I anticipated. Not so the mental aspect, though. The general sameness of each day, lack of views, homesickness etc. began to wear on me after a while. If you really want to thru hike and have the mental toughness, then you can do it physically. Good Luck!
Thank you for so much encouragement! Alot of wonderful and wide people on here. Maybe when I get ready to do this, I can find someone on here to start with me. I appreciate all the feedback
Sorry, meant to say "WISE" People in my post,,,not WIDE...
I completed the southern 1,000 mi last fall from Aug 14, to Nov. 14 at 54. I trained for three months to prepare. It might have been the hardest thing I have ever done as an athlete. but extremely worth it. If you train, and I suggest the book "Climbing: Training for Peak Performance" is a great guide to be really prepared for the effort. IMO--hiking when not in shape, especially at our age is certainly no fun....
I am old as dirt too. Although previously an athlete, I am fat, out of shape and have bad knees as of now. I am mostly worried about the knees. I know for a fact that when I am quite thin, my knees do not hurt like they do now. They have hurt bad for 10 years. I went to a sports med ortho and had them x-rayed a month or so ago. He said that I have "bilateral patellar sublimation" (kneecaps not properly in their grooves and facing outwards). I was given instruction to bicycle to improve quad strength and possibly bring kneecaps back in alignment. He prescribed a walking cane. I got the cane but at home I just use a stick to walk with or nothing, depending on pain level. I have been practicing going up and down small flight of front deck steps. Nothing stops me once I get an idea in my head and decide I am going to do some thing (like hike the AT). I am stubborn like that. I have the logistics figured out, it is just getting myself in a little better shape and talking to more doctors. I have been seeing a cardiac specialist as I have high blood pressure. I will be slow slow on the trail. But that simply gives me more time to stop and get out my drawing pad or photograph things along the trail. If I am hiking too fast to do those things, then I am hiking too fast!
Planning Mid-March NOBO Thru-hike 2013.
I'm 55 and hike more now than at any age. No thru trips scheduled but 4 section hikes this year so far. I don't think you will have any problems different from every other hiker (just the normal problems).....
There are so many miles and so many mountains between here and there that it is hardly worth thinking about
I am getting up there in age too. One of the things that help me (especially with aging joints) is yoga. It keeps me strong, especially my core, which prevents back pain and it keeps the quads and hamstrings loose which helps knee issues.
I'm 52 and up til last year was in terrific conditon. Back, knee and liver problems have slowed me down but I'm on the way again! Plan to do some extended hiking this fall! Know your body and limitations, enjoy yourself!
Don't Die Before You've Had A Chance To Live!
Can't remember that long ago. 50's!!! Hell--that's just a bunch of kids!!!
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