Over age 50 Hikers: Why are you hiking the AT in 2016?

[CedarKeyHiker]

I am interested in hearing from others who are in the over 50 age group who are committed to thru-hiking or doing a long section hike on the AT in 2016. What's your motivation for taking all the time, money, and effort required for such an undertaking? I'll start it off.

I chose to hike at this time because it is a good time for it. The kids are grown and doing well. My wife supports me in this and encourages me daily. I do feel like the window of opportunity begins to narrow as time goes by and there is no good excuse not to seize the moment. I just turned 58, I'm retired, and my health is good. I want to see and experience sights and challenges that I otherwise would miss living at sea level. I want to hear the stories of all sorts of extraordinary people that I would never had met. I want to push myself to achieve a lofty goal. That's my motivation. How about you?

[canoe]

Good for you. Have a great hike.

[Tahoeturner]

CedarKey, I share many of the same motivations that you have listed. In my youth, growing up in northern NH, I day-hiked many (most) of the New England peaks. If I had had a bucket list when I was 12, it would have included a thru hike of the AT. I’ll be fulfilling a childhood fantasy. At age 66, my body is not in tiptop shape, but I’ve convinced myself that I can make it to Maine. I hit the trail in less than a month.

[CedarKeyHiker]

CedarKey, I share many of the same motivations that you have listed. In my youth, growing up in northern NH, I day-hiked many (most) of the New England peaks. If I had had a bucket list when I was 12, it would have included a thru hike of the AT. I’ll be fulfilling a childhood fantasy. At age 66, my body is not in tiptop shape, but I’ve convinced myself that I can make it to Maine. I hit the trail in less than a month.

I have no doubt you will fulfill your dream. Your story inspires me. I look forward to meeting you somewhere on the Trail. I'll be that chubby, white haired guy struggling along. Vaya con Dios!!! Bobby Bombero

[rjwilliams]

Nothing but respect for you brother.

[colorado_rob]

I am interested in hearing from others who are in the over 50 age group who are committed to thru-hiking or doing a long section hike on the AT in 2016. What's your motivation for taking all the time, money, and effort required for such an undertaking? I'll start it off.

I chose to hike at this time because it is a good time for it. The kids are grown and doing well. My wife supports me in this and encourages me daily. I do feel like the window of opportunity begins to narrow as time goes by and there is no good excuse not to seize the moment. I just turned 58, I'm retired, and my health is good.

All these things (I was 57 when I did the trail), pretty much exactly. But most of all, long distance backpacking is just plain good old FUN.

[Recalc]

All these things (I was 57 when I did the trail), pretty much exactly. But most of all, long distance backpacking is just plain good old FUN.

I undertook the trail last year because I thought it would be “fun”. Had to exit at Pinkham Notch (X-rays showed 3 broken toes). My plan is to finish this year. So far, this has been a really great experience. Met impressive people, learned new skills, and appreciated a sense of accomplishment. At age 64 however, it was not “fun”.

[Sandy of PA]

I like to go for a nice long walk (400miles or so) each spring. It seems to recharge my batteries. I call it sleeping with my Earth Mother while walking with my Spirit Father. Retirement has its perks.

[Puddlefish]

Therapeutic reasons, mental and physical.

[greensleep]

Therapeutic reasons, mental and physical.

ditto Puddlefish

[Conductor]

I did my first thru hike of the AT when I was 51. Just left my job and did it. Mainly because it had been a dream for many many years and I just wanted that experience of a long distance hike.

I love to hike and I love a challenge. Since I am now 10 years older and since I left the trail last year in Damascus, the challenge is even greater. So I'm starting again at Springer. I intend to pass every white blaze and enjoy every moment that's possible to enjoy.

[Trailweaver]

I hike because I like the peace it gives me to be out there. It also helps me stay fit, and if I find I'm not "fit enough," I go home and work on it to get better for the next trip out. It also helps me mentally know that I can be tough enough to get through daily challenges. I recently had some serious health challenges, and while I was recovering (and feeling very put upon and sorry for myself), realized that I'd had tough challenges on the trail (times when I thought I'd die before I reached the top of the climb, or an injury on the trail made it difficult to hike out), that I could make it through that, because I'd done something equally tough on the trail. I did recover, and give credit to the AT for the memories that helped me do it.

[Seatbelt]

I hike because I like the peace it gives me to be out there. It also helps me stay fit, and if I find I'm not "fit enough," I go home and work on it to get better for the next trip out. It also helps me mentally know that I can be tough enough to get through daily challenges. I recently had some serious health challenges, and while I was recovering (and feeling very put upon and sorry for myself), realized that I'd had tough challenges on the trail (times when I thought I'd die before I reached the top of the climb, or an injury on the trail made it difficult to hike out), that I could make it through that, because I'd done something equally tough on the trail. I did recover, and give credit to the AT for the memories that helped me do it.

I am a ditto of this post. I have found that I no longer fear or worry about what might or could happen to me on my hikes.

[Slo-go'en]

I go for a long hike every year because I can and don't have anything better to do.

[Odd Man Out]

I am 56 but not really that close to retirement so the potential for a long distance hike is a bit in the future. But if I were to do that (now or later), I always though I would like to do a "through hike" rather than a "thru hike", with the difference being the objective. On a thru hike, the goal is to hike the whole trail. On a through hike, I arrange my schedule so I am free to hike as long and as far as I want (i.e until I'm through), recognizing that I don't really know what that will be at the beginning. If I hike the whole trial, great. If not, also great. (win-win). Most thru hikes fail. It's hard to fail on a through hike (unless you maybe hike more than you really want to?)

[poopsy]

Hmm,

Two members of my family have recently died. Living in hospitals and taking care of their affairs have worn me down over the past year. What's more, my mother and my brother are in their final days and will likely not see next Christmas. Mom hasn't recognized me in three years and my brother is determined smoke himself to death. I stand torn facing the continuing tragedy of death in my family. I could stay at home waiting for another phone call or I can be out on the trail. My wife says to get going. I dunno. I seem to change my mind about it around once a week.

poopsy

[Tintype]

Man I know where you are coming from. 2015 sucked. I turned fifty and saw both parents die within 9 months of each other. Looking after them has taken a real toll mentally and physically over the last few years. This is a trip that I have been planning for 20 years now and I think 2017 might be my year.

[wornoutboots]

Because even though I'm 50 but I feel much younger like say 35 & I love to challenge my physical & mental abilities & no better place to do it than on a long distance hike!

[Grizhicks]

CedarKeyHiker -- I think one of the key words from you post is "retired"; as we get further along in out careers is harder to find the time to do the hike. I would say that most (not all, but most) have to wait until retirement, and hope that their health is good enough. I plan on retiring in Feb of '18, and starting the trail in April (will be 65).

Best of luck in your adventure, and keep us posted. -- Greg/Grizhicks

[RangerZ]

CedarKeyHiker -- I think one of the key words from you post is "retired"; as we get further along in out careers is harder to find the time to do the hike. I would say that most (not all, but most) have to wait until retirement, and hope that their health is good enough. I plan on retiring in Feb of '18, and starting the trail in April (will be 65).

Best of luck in your adventure, and keep us posted. -- Greg/Grizhicks

Griz - You've got it about careers. I've been offered opportunities that I really didn't want at this point in my career. Some weeks on Monday I'm already thinking of the weekend hike. I plan on retiring Jan18 and starting Apr18. Until then I'm knocking off short and long hikes here in PA and, WV in April. Tomorrow is to a small detached tract of a state forest, just to recon it for future longer hikes, and to get another night under nylon.

I could get philosophical about communing with nature, but like others have said it's a return to some former challenges ... mostly it's just not the office.