Started backpacking at 42, now 45. I am having the best time. My background is in healthcare (got first aid down) and Committee Chair for Boy Scouts (and all that training). My son is an Eagle Scout. (proud mom) We camp a lot and hike. My niece came to me (she was starting her senior year of high school) after reading Wild and asked to thru hike the AT. I said to her since she had college starting the next year and I was going to have to start paying for college the year after (for out son), I suggested we section hike. So far we have completed 70 miles (GA) and will be on the trail this Sunday (3/18) thru Tuesday (3/20). We will be going from Dick's Creek (Ga Hwy 78) thru Winding Stair Gap (NC Hwy 64) around 40 miles. My daughter has done most this with us, but she has school since she is a junior in high school. We are having a girls only in June adding my daughter's best friend and my son's girlfriend. We hike at a pace of 2 miles an hour and are very consistent. We don't try and push that and if need be go slow. We hike between 30 - 40 miles in 2-3 days. Good luck.