Late bloomer wants to know about ladies who started hiking later in life.

[kimbur96]

Hello Ladies, I am 48 and just went through a bunch of major life changes in the last year. But to sum it up in s sentence I am now single and what to start trying some new things. I have car camped, and done day hikes but never any backpacking or overnight hikes, but I want to start. I do a lot of trail running here in Florida and had the chance to do a multi day run through the Colorado Rockies last August. I LOVED it out there. The mountains, the meadows, the being alone in nature it was my happy spot. So I want to start doing some multi day hikes. Looking forward to hearing your experiences and sage advice.

[illabelle]

Sounds like you've wasted 48 years!
It's never too late to get started. I'm jealous of your trip in the Rockies...someday I'll get out that way. It's still about 6 weeks till our next section hike, and another month till the one after that, and then there are more later on. I think about them and dream about them EVERY day! Can't wait!

[Farr Away]

I think I was 40 the first time I backpacked. As far as sage advice-
-Start slow; try an overnight first.
-Keep mileage low at first. You want to enjoy it, not decide you're never doing THAT again.
-If you can, go with someone experienced.
-Have fun!

-FarrAway

[slbirdnerd]

I have always hiked and used to car camp, but just started backpacking 3 years ago--and often go alone (also now single). It's amazing, and I wish I'd have discovered it earlier! Maybe find a local hiking/backpacking club, like one through Meetup.com. Check your local outfitter for classes and outings. (If you can spend, REI has a travel division and you can get out on a trip with them.) Read lots, ask questions, and best of all just start getting out there. Like Farr Away said, start small and you'll be surprised how much you learn on just a few overnights.

Here's some inspiration, maybe, or entertainment anyway: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb4...JgIFjm8kl5Dncw

One thing I did a year ago was take a NOLS Wilderness First Aid certification class. Regardless who you take it through, I recommend WFA to anyone who will be spending time in the backcountry. It's a huge confidence builder and gives you some skills to help others, and yourself.

Happy Trails!

[Cfullerton]

I got the bug last year at 59. Ive done almost 75 mi and loved every minute. I hike slow but Im determined. I haven't been out solo bc Im terrified of going it alone, a fear that I need to overcome.

You just have to get out there and go for it!

[Z Hiker]

I'm not new to backpacking, but I'm doing it a lot more now that I'm empty-nested. At 60, the most important thing has been reducing the weight of my pack. Of course, that can benefit anyone at any age. My advice would be to focus on building a lightweight kit that's within your ability and comfort level. At some point, you might need to look to some of the cottage manufacturers to help shave some pounds off your gear.

[locomotion]

I got the bug last year at 59. Ive done almost 75 mi and loved every minute. I hike slow but Im determined. I haven't been out solo bc Im terrified of going it alone, a fear that I need to overcome.

You just have to get out there and go for it!

Yeah I think that attitude and determination are most important and not age. My sister and I are 60+ and have decided to hike the GA section of the AT in May. We've been hiking daily to get ready and hiking with a local group. I do need to do an overnighter though so let me know if you hike up this way in FL. We're also looking for other women hikers going N on the AT in GA in May.

[Akela]

I have been hiking with the Trail Dames for a couple of years now. Only mature curvy fun ladies. Check them out in Facebook or meetup. They might have a chapter in your area. So much better than hiking along....

[birdygal]

I went on my first hike at 51 and my first backpacking trip I was 56. I only managed to do one overnight by myself so far

[Venchka]

Welcome.
Lucky you! You found the Rockies first. Go back. As often as possible.
You'll never forget your first time out west.
Good luck.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Blissful]

I did my AT hike at age 44 and again at age 48. You are never too old, but time can affect in ways such and in your joints, etc. If this is the time for you to do a hike, do it. Just remember that out west there is elevation, hence altitude which affects your performance dramatically. Take time to acclimate.

[Goldielocs]

Hi Blissful,
I decided to take up backpacking in order to celebrate my 50th birth year by section hiking the AT. I have lots of questions if you would be willing to answer.
1) what are absolute must haves in your backpack while hiking the AT? I know it can be very wet. I have rain pants and jacket, but should I consider a poncho? I am also curious about the amount of clothes and kinds. I saw a video about the 13 essentials, but it was really geared towards men and I am not sure if there is any difference with women.
2) suggestions for 4 day and 7 day hike amounts of food. Again, I have seen advice for men, but do you have any suggestions for women who may have a different caloric requirement.
3) Besides actual hiking and backpacking, do you have any suggestions for strength and endurance training prior to a trip?
4) How much does the weather ie rain.. effect one's ability to get mileage in? I am trying to do an average of 10 miles a day.. some days a little less, some days a little more.. the most is 13.
5) Are there any concerns I should have, as a woman, on the trail? I have already started taking estrogen (ie birth control) to stop my menstrual cycle just for this year.. I can't imagine having my period on the trail.. uggh. I have mace and a knife which I think is sufficient for self defense.
Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

[mtngoat01]

Hi Blissful,
I decided to take up backpacking in order to celebrate my 50th birth year by section hiking the AT. I have lots of questions if you would be willing to answer.
1) what are absolute must haves in your backpack while hiking the AT? I know it can be very wet. I have rain pants and jacket, but should I consider a poncho? I am also curious about the amount of clothes and kinds. I saw a video about the 13 essentials, but it was really geared towards men and I am not sure if there is any difference with women.
2) suggestions for 4 day and 7 day hike amounts of food. Again, I have seen advice for men, but do you have any suggestions for women who may have a different caloric requirement.
3) Besides actual hiking and backpacking, do you have any suggestions for strength and endurance training prior to a trip?
4) How much does the weather ie rain.. effect one's ability to get mileage in? I am trying to do an average of 10 miles a day.. some days a little less, some days a little more.. the most is 13.
5) Are there any concerns I should have, as a woman, on the trail? I have already started taking estrogen (ie birth control) to stop my menstrual cycle just for this year.. I can't imagine having my period on the trail.. uggh. I have mace and a knife which I think is sufficient for self defense.
Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

Long post alert!!!

I can answer many of your questions and it looks like no one has addressed them directly so far.

-Side note: I do hike with my bf (we have hiked together for 20 years now) so the links to my gear list reflect that we share some gear

1. The most important things you can have in your pack are the LIGHTEST gear that fits in your budget and can keep you safe. There are some aspects of going UL that cost more but there are also plenty of options to save too. When purchasing your gear you should expect to spend more money on your quilt/sleeping bag, shelter and backpack (aka the big 3). Those three items are the basis of your safety and trail comfort.

Gear that goes out with you will depend upon the section itself, the time of year and expected weather. I will include a few gear list links that you can use for starters. With all that said don’t let gear bog you down or keep you from going out. As you get more accustomed to Trail life you will find things that work better or stuff you want to trade out. I love thinking about gear..I’m an admitted gram weenie BUT I also know that the lighter the pack in itself is a form of safety, especially on tough climbs, slippery rocks and long mile days.

Here is a link to a post from my Long Trail thru from this year. There are links to our gear lists there.

2017 SOBO Long Trail Trip Report (Sept 12-Oct 4)
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...7&share_type=t

Here is a good 13 lb base weight gear list that you can find at any good outfitter:

https://www.geargrams.com/list?id=43697

You can use these as a reference for what items you need for a section hike. Also while this list is lightweight, it can easily become UL by making a few of your gear purchases from cottage vendors to get lighter.

Another important point for gear is none of it matters if you don’t know how to use it. So practice practice practice...in your back yard, on an overnight trip, multiple night trips...get to know your gear. Sleep in your back yard in 20 degree weather or set up your shelter in the rain and then sleep there. It is the best way to figure out in a safe environment what works and what doesn’t.

2. Food and calories...it’s a broad topic that I can only really comment from my own perspective but I have spent a long time dialing in food amounts and choices. Much will depend on how you intend on getting food during your section hike. I have been making and dehydrating our hike meals since our AT thru hike in 2001. I love everything about preparing our meals. I wrote a lengthy post about some resources I have used here:

Just about at 20lbs!
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...0&share_type=t

There is also info in there about making food choices in town. Don’t sweat the calories and eat more healthful items than junk both on trail and in town. You are likely to always be in a deficit but that is what town is for!

When I thru hiked the AT I was 25 and at that age I could eat both on trail and in town all the bad stuff and still be ok. We had our dehydrated dinners but I’m talking about everything else...yes pop tarts I’m looking right at you. As I continued hiking AND getting older I hit a point where quality was WAY more important than quantity. About 10 years ago I realized hat food did nothing for me on Trail. I was eating and hitting a wall. I went to a good mix of healthy and calories and now I can hike longer and stronger because my body gets what it needs on trail. Now our food is so dialed in I know that I need to carry 1.25 to 1.35 lbs per day of the right food and I will not be hungry (relatively...I mean it is hiking) and I will not carry too much food either.

3. Pre hike fitness - I would recommend walking. Get to where you can easily walk 5 miles a day several days a week. Cross train too, so make sure you are doing strengthening exercises. Focus on glutes, core, ankle and of course the other big leg muscles. Balance is important too. Of course yoga can help here, but spend time on exercises that work on the stability for ankles and the lower leg. There are a lot of ankle biter type rocks and roots on the AT.

4. Weather and rain...they will happen. You will get wet. You will get soaked all the way to your underwear. It’s not all bad though...it’s a free shower! Rain can be hard to deal with I’m not going to lie. If it’s hot then less of a problem but cold and rain is something you have to be mentally and physically prepared for. This goes back to knowing your gear and understanding what circumstances to use that gear. It can affect your miles per day. I my experience rain has caused me to do 5 miles and it has also made me choose to do over 30 miles. Always listen to your body...hypothermia can happen at much higher temps than people expect. But mostly if it is raining I just do the miles I have planned for that day except I’m just wet while doing them. Don’t let it worry you too much.

5. Being a woman on trail. As I stated before I do have a hiking partner so I can’t full comment on solo experience as a woman but don’t let it bog you down too much. I have met SO MANY solo hikers who happen to be women. Especially on the AT there is a community and people look out for one another. You will meet people out there of all types. There may be some that creep you out but that is SUCH the exception on trail. Be vigilant not fearful. You will love your time on the trail and the people you meet can potentially be one of the best parts about hiking the AT.

Periods on trail...they can be a hassle but it’s ok. It’s not that big of a deal. If you are in birth control that suppresses your periods (Yasmin continuously for example = 4 periods a year) that’s great. You will be glad not to deal with it, but if not don’t worry. There is a lot of good info on this very forum (lady specific forum) about all the ways to handle your period on trail.

I hope this helps...I know it is long. If you want more specific advice about a topic post a new thread an you will get answers from all the sides you can imagine.

Above all...just do it! Go hike your dream trail.

MtnGoat


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[kimbur96]

Thank you everyone who replied. I have been scouting out some local trails within a couple hours drive of where i live and hope to do my first solo overnight this weekend or next depending on how soon my new Tarptent arrives. The plan is pick something only a couple miles out from the main campground so if I have to bail I could, and at worst case walk out in the night with a headlamp. I also feel a little safer overall being near but not right next to people. I'd being lying if I said I'm not scared. But part of life is preparing yourself the best you can and then facing your fears head on.

[Water Rat]

Thank you everyone who replied. I have been scouting out some local trails within a couple hours drive of where i live and hope to do my first solo overnight this weekend or next depending on how soon my new Tarptent arrives. The plan is pick something only a couple miles out from the main campground so if I have to bail I could, and at worst case walk out in the night with a headlamp. I also feel a little safer overall being near but not right next to people. I'd being lying if I said I'm not scared. But part of life is preparing yourself the best you can and then facing your fears head on.

Fear is okay as long as you don't let it control your life! You acknowledge it and then work on the things that are scaring you. That's how ya get stronger.

Set small goals in the beginning and just play with your backpacking gear. Get familiar with it. Allow yourself to just get out there and do what feels right. Take notes (mental or physical) on what works for you, what doesn't work for you, what you wish you had, and what you didn't need. Think of each trip out there as a step toward your goal. Every time you get out there, you will find that your confidence is building and your hiking & camp routines will feel more familiar. You can do it!

[Riocielo]

My husband and I didn't begin hiking until three years ago, I was 55. I had never in my life pitched a tent, carried a backpack or spent a night outside.

Fortunately, information is abundant. I scoured WB, I read hundreds of gear reviews and watched tons of videos. We rented gear for our first section hike, which helped a great deal. We are still learning, but one great piece of advice I heard was to write down as soon as a trip is over, what worked, what didn't and why. This helped us to tweak our equipment, and our own performances.

We also started treating time between hikes as "training time." We have no hills where we live, so we use the gym and the streets to strengthen our legs, back and core.

I agree with the previous posts. . .start out easy, have flexible plans and practice, practice, practice with your gear. Mostly, have fun! I think of the trail everyday we are not on it and plan for the "next hike" as soon as we end the last one.


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[~Dynamite~]

I'm 60 now and plan to thruhike in 2017. I have no backpacking experience but have done a lot of camping. Also, I think of myself as very tough. I have a farm and have done really grueling work in all kinds of weather. I am not delicate. Also, I dream big and once I set a goal, I make it happen. Physically, I am not in as good a shape as I was when I was younger. I have had both knees replaced and have had some back issues (which are resolved) but mentally, I am tough as nails. I plan to take it slow and not injure myself by doing more than I am capable of. I have been planning for years and can't wait to step on a plane bound for Atlanta!...~Dynamite~

[Saigirl]

I love your attitude Dynamite! We are kindred spirits! I will turn 60 on my hike this year. To celebrate my fitness and myself, doing a hike thru on the PCT this year. I feel my strongest ever and will address many fears this trip! I love your "I'm tough as nails!" Me too! Ha! Wanna go?

[Miel]

I'm 60 now and plan to thruhike in 2017. I have no backpacking experience but have done a lot of camping. Also, I think of myself as very tough. I have a farm and have done really grueling work in all kinds of weather. I am not delicate. Also, I dream big and once I set a goal, I make it happen. Physically, I am not in as good a shape as I was when I was younger. I have had both knees replaced and have had some back issues (which are resolved) but mentally, I am tough as nails. I plan to take it slow and not injure myself by doing more than I am capable of. I have been planning for years and can't wait to step on a plane bound for Atlanta!...~Dynamite~

I have been hiking for almost 40 years, but will be 61 (if not somewhat older) when I do my first thru-hike. I want child to be finished with college first (in case she needs me), and need to get in more shape for a thru-hike, and to save money, and raise money for NGOs that promote the welfare of a certain animal. As time gets closer to the hike, I'll also need to work things out with physician and pharmacies along the way for diabetes and other meds. Right now, back home, I can only get a three-month subscription, and I guarantee you it will take me more than three months to do the thru-hike. (I don't want to leave the trail, fly home for an appointment, fly back in the middle of the hike).

[xMagnolia]

I decided hanging in a hammock was the best way to make sure I could hike the second day. Sleeping on the ground wasn't going to work for my older, out of shape body. I joined the hammockforums and have been to a group hang & hike and also met up w/ another hanging stranger for an overnight hike. I wanted to try my gear and fortitude in the cold rain, but wasn't ready to do it on my own. If anybody is in Alabama and wants to hike slow, give me a buzz!

charlotte