When I’m 64 – The Journey

“Will you still need me, will you still feed me?”… Four years ago, at age 60, I walked into my first AT hike feeling strong, experienced, and ready for anything. I came away from a great ski season with powerful legs, clear lungs, and a full tank of confidence. That adventure eventually became LASH (Long Ass Section Hike), but I started the trail knowing I had prepared well.

Now, at almost 64 years old, the trail calls me again. The training pace feels different this time. Maybe it’s the low-snow winter in the west, maybe it’s the natural change of a few years, or maybe it’s just the universe reminding me that every hike is its own journey. Have I prepared well again this time? We’ll see how I pass through the arc in a couple of weeks. Lihat juga do8SJ. The arch is the start of the AT approach trail at Amicalola Falls State Park. The AT begins at the top of Springer Mountain, about 8 miles away and 2,000 feet up from the arch.

Physical preparation

In ’22, doing a Flip Flop at Harper’s Ferry meant hitting the road through Maryland. This time, it’s a GAME (a traditional northbound hike from Georgia to Maine). Georgia reads like it’s a different kind of welcome than Maryland. The characteristic OT philosophy of “building the road to the mountain” appears to be alive and well. Just to gauge, my physical training has me walking every other day about eight miles, 1,000 feet up and down with a 35-pound backpack. On the days I didn’t walk, I swam laps.

Mental preparation

Backpacking is spiritual for me. Preparation for the OT at this time has had the advantage of coinciding with Lent. I have tried to abandon any worry, overcome any fear and let the adventure take any direction. I’m looking forward to pacing myself during the 50 days of Easter.

Team: evaluation, review, research, discussion, adjustment, repetition….

Great discussions and customer service have made the kit search a lot of fun. On my many shakedown nights, I discovered some new things and rediscovered some fantastic family backpacking experiences close to home. The weak point in my shakedown cycle has been the experience with gear selection on several rainy days. As is well known, the West has been very dry this winter. I anticipate the AT will more than make up for my lack of soggy hikes.

The danger of the «Add to cart» button

1. The graveyard of failed footwear, I’ll stick with trail runners.
2. Camping shoes, such as flip-flops or foam clogs, are still pending review.
3. Is packing a backup water filter giving in and packing my fears?
4. These little one-way ratcheting strap tensioners that catch a paracord are pretty handy.
5. It’s amazing how many uses a pair of flag-sized Tyvek sheets have.
6. Of course, my new pillow strap now has me debating a new air mattress.
7. Two 10000 mAh power banks should be enough.
8. Team poncho, team rain jacket, team umbrella, I can’t decide.
9. The kilt for rain is a great accessory.
10. The gaiters keep coming off and putting back on my gear during endless pack shakes.
11. I didn’t think I’d like cold soaking, now I need to find the lightest, most reliable oat shaker.
12. Speaking of butane, “don’t carry a halfy”, I added a fuel can transfer valve to my kit.
13. The new air mattress pump makes noise, probably no worse than the previous huffing and puffing.
14. My switch to trekking poles, of course, made me switch to a trekking pole tent.
15. The advantages of a rural bidet are too numerous to list.

Not exactly ultralight

My backpack is heavy. I have three pieces of gear that every shakedown expert would probably tell me to leave behind immediately. One for the wildlife, one for the rain, and one for me. A bear can, a larger Tyvek tarp, and my backpacking guitar. Bring on the half-million-foot elevation change. After about 500 miles. I’ll be used to it.

Fighting fear and worry

I’m almost 64 years old, I shouldn’t be afraid of anything. Did I train enough? Did I pack the right equipment? Is my backpack too heavy? Maybe. Maybe not. But adventure happens in any sense. I think one of the most used commandments in the Bible is «Do not be afraid.» Easy to understand, hard to do, but I’m trying.

Grateful

I am very grateful to have this opportunity to get back on the trail. My plan is to start slow and steady: 8, then 10, then 12, building up to 20 for the first month along the way. I will be open to adventure and where it takes me. I hope to be part of and contribute to a great community of hikers. Knowing that the AT usually throws curveballs into plans, but I also don’t want to be caught off guard, I have a rough outline of a plan for the first part of the trail to Trail Days in Damascus. We’ll figure out the rest after that.

Will the trail still love me when I’m 64?

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