View Full Version : Cimarron, The 86 Year Old Hiker
Bear Bag 2000
03-29-2009, 13:55
Cimarron, The 86 Year Old Hiker, is back on the trail this year. He is currently at Unicoi Gap (50 miles). He has a two year section hike under his belt which he finished a few years ago. He is a few months older than EZ One who did a one year thru-hike that same year. Not satisfied with a "section hike" Cimarron wants a one year end to end hike. When he finishes this year he'll be 87 years old. He has a site on www.trailjournals.com (http://www.trailjournals.com/) search Cimarron.
Bear Bag 2000
Kerosene
03-29-2009, 14:23
Ah, a new record to shoot for! Go Cimarron!
I saw the journal and thought it was a joke (or a figment of imagination) since it was written in third person by someone supposedly hiking with him. Wow, if he's really doing a thru at 86/87 that is amazing! And I thought I was old...
superman
03-29-2009, 18:37
I saw the journal and thought it was a joke (or a figment of imagination) since it was written in third person by someone supposedly hiking with him. Wow, if he's really doing a thru at 86/87 that is amazing! And I thought I was old...
You are old but he's older.:D:welcome
Blissful
03-29-2009, 23:26
That's great, hope he does it.
the goat
03-30-2009, 09:57
Cimarron, The 86 Year Old Hiker, is back on the trail this year. He is currently at Unicoi Gap (50 miles). He has a two year section hike under his belt which he finished a few years ago. He is a few months older than EZ One who did a one year thru-hike that same year. Not satisfied with a "section hike" Cimarron wants a one year end to end hike. When he finishes this year he'll be 87 years old. He has a site on www.trailjournals.com (http://www.trailjournals.com/) search Cimarron.
Bear Bag 2000
i hiked with cimarron for a stretch in '03. he is an amazing guy with a unique perspective on life. definitely a fun guy to hike with. i'm not surprised he's still at it, he's in great shape.
Cookerhiker
03-16-2011, 20:09
He's out again this year:
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=11863
bigcranky
03-16-2011, 21:16
Met him at the Hiker Hostel last weekend. Great guy, seemed to be doing well on the trail.
vamelungeon
03-16-2011, 21:34
My parents are about the same age, I wish they were in condition to do something like this. They can barely walk, both have to use walkers now. I wish him all the luck in the world.
Gladiator
03-16-2011, 21:46
I have a new hero ...
Freedom Walker
03-16-2011, 22:11
Hope Cimarron does well. i have concluded that I would have to be retired to ever attempt a thru. I will be in mid sixties then. Reading about Cimarron and others like him is an inspiration all us older hikers hoping to do the whole trail someday.
the goat
03-17-2011, 07:40
He's out again this year:
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=11863
cimarron hiking at 88 does my heart good, he's a hell of a good guy & a load of fun to hike with.
thanks for posting cookerhiker!
Freedom Walker
04-04-2011, 15:56
Anyone heard from Cimarron lately?
Freedom WalKer, he was injured in a fall when he went to get water at Plumorchard Shelter. He was assisted out (north, at his request) and taken to the hospital in Hiawassee. I understand that he was back on the trail within a day. He should be in NC now, but I haven't heard definitely.
Cimarron was at Carter Gap Shelter on Wednesday night March 30. He was, I was told, averagin about 8 miles a day. I met him there and he seemed quite determined.
Buffalo Skipper
04-04-2011, 16:44
I have met Cimarron a couple of times. He lives locally, and our paths corss on rare occasion (via Scouting). He is an inspiration to us all. Thanks for the updates and reminders that he is out there living the life.
Frogdown
04-04-2011, 18:14
Actually he is 88 and will be 89 when he finishes.
We met two years ago in the Smokies. He's the real deal.
Go Cimarron!
Bear Bag 2000
04-04-2011, 18:52
www.TrailJournals.com (http://www.TrailJournals.com)
Search both Cimarron and Catching Dreams for updates. He is doing great but the arm is sore and oozing at the elbow. But it doesn't stop this old goat.
Bear Bag 2000
04-04-2011, 18:54
For Cimarron, the 88 year old hiker news check www.TrailJournals.com (http://www.TrailJournals.com) and search for either Cimarron or Catching Dreams and be sure to check the 2011 journals as they have multi years. He is moving on northword after his fall, stitches, and wound dressings.
Cimarron is a baller. Seen him a couple of times
What an inspiration. It's great to hear about people like him.
Gives me something to shoot for (and another reason not to complain about my aches and pains). Go Cimarron! :)
ChinMusic
04-04-2011, 23:17
He was in Franklin today getting some treatment for his recent fall. He plans on heading out tomorrow.
Go, man, go.
lutefisk
04-08-2011, 13:37
Any updates on how Cimarron is doing? Was he able to get back on the trail as planned or does he need more time to recover from his fall?
hikemikehike
04-08-2011, 19:38
Go go go go
hikingmama
04-08-2011, 23:12
My family and I have the pleasure of hosting Cimarron and Catching Dreams in our home tonight in Bryson City after meeting them on the trail at NOC. He is doing great and seems to be recovering quite well from his fall. We will be taking him back to the trail early tomorrow morning, and it is my understanding that he plans to overnight at Sassafras Gap.
An amazing man....unbelievably inspiring.
ChinMusic
04-08-2011, 23:20
SWEET. Thanks hikingmama for the update.
.....and welcome to WB
ChinMusic
04-25-2011, 10:17
Cimarron should be close to, if not, leaving the Smokies today.
WingedMonkey
04-25-2011, 11:21
For Cimarron, the 88 year old hiker news check www.TrailJournals.com (http://www.TrailJournals.com) and search for either Cimarron or Catching Dreams and be sure to check the 2011 journals as they have multi years. He is moving on northword after his fall, stitches, and wound dressings.
A more direct link to his TJ is http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=11863
Second Half
04-25-2011, 14:37
Whether he makes it to Katahdin or he doesn't walk another step on the trail, this dude is my hero.
Kerosene
04-25-2011, 15:42
When I was 26 I was playing competitive soccer with a 45-year old who controlled the midfield with his skill and vision. That drove me to want to play until I was that old, and I was able to do so at a competitive level until age 48 (although never quite as skilled as the other guy).
As a 54-year old, it's great to see someone more than 30 years older than me out there. My personal goal is to be backpacking, somewhere, in my 80's, although I think my wife hopes that I'll get sick of it once I retire and can go hiking when I want.
ChinMusic
04-25-2011, 16:04
As a 54-year old, it's great to see someone more than 30 years older than me out there. My personal goal is to be backpacking, somewhere, in my 80's, although I think my wife hopes that I'll get sick of it once I retire and can go hiking when I want.
I had an 83-yr-old patient this morning that most anyone would look at and consider in great shape for his age. I told him about Cimarron (88) and it kinda blew him away. This guy knows about the rigors of the AT and said those years had long passed him by.
hikerhobs
04-25-2011, 16:44
Cimarron. what an inspiration. You are the real deal , Good luck on your hike!
Desert Reprobate
04-25-2011, 17:17
When he took a spill and had to come out for medical attention, he insisted on going north. He didn't want to backtrack to the trailhead.
ChinMusic
04-27-2011, 14:12
I read Cimarron is having some hip problems. Hopefully a cortisone shot will get him back on the trail. Tarlin spoke with him at Standing Bear.
One tough nut this Cimarron.
curtisvowen
04-27-2011, 14:58
Today, Maria took him over to Sevierville for the cortisone shot.
Will leave tomorrow.
Found out he was a Naval Aviator during WWII.
Daydream Believer
04-27-2011, 20:10
Wow! What an impressive guy! I am inspired also! Go Cimmaron!
I am another who will probably have to wait until I'm much older to thru hike...I'm 48 now. He is an inspiration to me!
Jack Tarlin
04-27-2011, 20:13
He's a very nice guy and a fine gentleman. Everyone who meets and talks with him is happy for the opportunity to have done so, and I hope he has a wonderful hike.
WingedMonkey
05-02-2011, 22:38
Cimarron was at Hot Springs Sunday.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=11863
trailangelbronco
05-03-2011, 00:21
Quote from his journal today:
..Then I told him: "Obama got Osama." He had not heard that news, and then he said, "I am not a fan of either of them!" He was very glad to hear his Navy boys did the job. He is a retired Naval Aviator claiming to have NOT flown with the Wright Brothers although he did learn to fly a Stearman Biplane with open cockpit......................
LOL!!
Bear Bag 2000
05-03-2011, 10:29
Cimarron starts the 68 mile section out of Hot Springs to Irwin today. This is one of the longest sections without resupply on the whole trail. If anyone can help him with supplies in this section go for it. Bear Bag
Bear Bag 2000
05-03-2011, 12:37
Cimarron the 88 year old leaves Hot Springs today. He has 68 miles without resupply to Irwin. It will take him 6-7 days and a heavy food load. If anyone can help supply along the way, go for it. Bear Bag
WILLIAM HAYES
05-03-2011, 20:45
age is just a number-I hope I meet him on the trail
Not to diminish what anyone is currently trying to do, but is it just me or is this more impressive than a younger person trying to hike the trail in record time?
ChinMusic
05-03-2011, 22:15
Not to diminish what anyone is currently trying to do, but is it just me or is this more impressive than a younger person trying to hike the trail in record time?
Yes
Think of all the folks/family that you know anywhere near that age.....
Kerosene
05-03-2011, 22:24
Not to diminish what anyone is currently trying to do, but is it just me or is this more impressive than a younger person trying to hike the trail in record time?I'm not sure it's necessarily more impressive, but it is just as fun to root for him and hope he does well.