PCT for older hikers

[Flying Eagle]

At 58, I'm looking to plan for a PCT hike in a couple years to mark the big 60. Anxious to see how it compares to the AT. Any 50+ hikers with experience and bits of advice? Any journals you 50+ers have put together? I don't feel like looking through all those available to see who is what age. Call it lazy in my old age.

Thanks for the input.

Flying Eagle from Michigan

[Sly]

I was in my late forties but knew many older that hiked the trail. As long as you're in decent shape you shouldn't have any problems doing the PCT. Since it's also a horse trail, it's well graded. Other than your typical trail injuries, altitude sickness and/or snow has stopped some from completing as have mosquitoes.

If you're into diverse, mostly open trail with awesome views, you'll love the PCT.

[chris]

58 wouldn't be considered terribly old on the PCT. Start in shape, carry a light load, and have an open schedule and you'll be just fine. By the way, in Oregon I linked up with a late 50s, early 60 year old man (Coach) who, on his second day out, did a 38 mile day with me and Birdie. He beat me in to Crater Lake by almost an hour.

[fiddlehead]

I'm a little shocked that you consider 58 to be old. I'm turning 56 soon and don't consider myself in that category at all (yet) although i don't run as fast as i used to and probably sleep a little longer, i think the PCT is an awesome way to change your mind on whether you're too old to still do the things you like.
Like Sly said, it's graded much easier than the AT and has much better views. Enjoy it!

[Snowleopard]

I'm a little shocked that you consider 58 to be old. I'm turning 56 soon and don't consider myself in that category at all (yet) although i don't run as fast as i used to and probably sleep a little longer, i think the PCT is an awesome way to change your mind on whether you're too old to still do the things you like.
Like Sly said, it's graded much easier than the AT and has much better views. Enjoy it!

Graded easier than the AT!!
Maybe when I get too old to hike the steeps around here I'll do the PCT. I'm 66 now.

[Mags]

Talk to Garlic here on WB. He and his hiking partner Pickle can answer any questions (I realize this an older thread).

Both are triple crowners, put down consistent low 20s or more and (most important) have fun doing so.

Garlic is a whipper snapper in his arly 50s..his hiking partner Pickle is in his early 60s. And I had trouble keeping up Pickle on the last day of our Arizona Trail section!

[Footslogger]

I'm a little shocked that you consider 58 to be old. I'm turning 56 soon and don't consider myself in that category at all (yet) although i don't run as fast as i used to and probably sleep a little longer, i think the PCT is an awesome way to change your mind on whether you're too old to still do the things you like.
Like Sly said, it's graded much easier than the AT and has much better views. Enjoy it!

==============================

I didn't consider myself to be old at 58 ...and then I had a sudden heart attack - - totally out of the blue and no history or symptoms. Back on my feet now at 60 but even with a youthful attitude I can feel the miles on my chassis. My original plan was to hike the PCT this year (2009) and never gave my age a second thought. Since my heart attack though my attitude about long term distance hiking has changed somewhat. I still don't consider 60 to be old but honesly, with all the pills I now have to take daily and the variations in energy the PCT doesn't seem to be a wise undertaking. Kills me to say that because I was the last person I would have ever thought might feel this way. I was the guy who was going to be hiking well into my 90's. Oh well ...stuff happens !

Guess the point of my post is that regardless of age you need to know that you are in good shape, especially your ticker.

'Slogger

[Snowleopard]

==============================

I didn't consider myself to be old at 58 ...and then I had a sudden heart attack - - totally out of the blue and no history or symptoms. Back on my feet now at 60 but even with a youthful attitude I can feel the miles on my chassis. My original plan was to hike the PCT this year (2009) and never gave my age a second thought. Since my heart attack though my attitude about long term distance hiking has changed somewhat. I still don't consider 60 to be old but honesly, with all the pills I now have to take daily and the variations in energy the PCT doesn't seem to be a wise undertaking. Kills me to say that because I was the last person I would have ever thought might feel this way. I was the guy who was going to be hiking well into my 90's. Oh well ...stuff happens !

Guess the point of my post is that regardless of age you need to know that you are in good shape, especially your ticker.

'Slogger

Hey 'Slogger, Mr. D hiked the PCT with blood pressure/heart problems/heart meds at age 68. The meds did cause him some problems and the meds had to be adjusted, but he did finish.
http://www.trailjournals.com/about.cfm?trailname=5737
I'd be careful about it and have a hiking companion for sure. I hope your attack didn't cause too much damage. Good luck!

[Footslogger]

Hey 'Slogger, Mr. D hiked the PCT with blood pressure/heart problems/heart meds at age 68. The meds did cause him some problems and the meds had to be adjusted, but he did finish.
http://www.trailjournals.com/about.cfm?trailname=5737
I'd be careful about it and have a hiking companion for sure. I hope your attack didn't cause too much damage. Good luck!

======================

Actually mine did cause a lot of damage. I was 4 hours in an ambulance and have significant left ventricular heart wall damage. Cardiac output is compromised so exercise tolerance ain't what it used to be. Haven't given up the ship all together quite yet though. My wife (BadAss Turtle - AT 2001) is a hiker too and I'm after her to at least take a shot at the John Muir with me. We'll see.

In my case it's not the age that gets in the way ...it's the reality of significant heart damage, and ironically I am and always have been (prior to the heart attack, that is ...) in excellent physical condition.

'Slogger

[Mountain Mike]

A few years ago I was talking with a friend I met on the PCT. While on the PCT he commented on how his 30 something old daughter was slowing him down. I had the pleasure of camping several nights with him along the trail. He has completed the "Triple Crown"! Last time I talked to him he said his summer hike had left him tired. "No more long distace for me...nothing over 4-500 miles." I hope when I hit my mid 80"s I can say the same thing!!!

[SunnyWalker]

I'll be there in 2013 and I'll be 60. This weekend my wife and I are going out hiking. She is ahead of me. She is already 60. (Don't let her know I told you, but she is really 62).

[StarLyte]

I'll give you one good example of age and hiking: Billy Goat.

Just Google Hiker Billy Goat. One good example of age and hiking.

[Dicentra]

I'll give you one good example of age and hiking: Billy Goat.

Just Google Hiker Billy Goat. One good example of age and hiking.

And when you are done with that, google Nimblewill Nomad.

Age is just a number.

[unclemjm]

Age is just a number.

Since I just crossed the 1/2 century mark I like that statement all the more. I guess I am now at "mid-life".

I have seen "20-somethings" with less stamina and energy than I have and "70-somethings" that could walk me into the ground.

Just go walk. Maybe I'll see you out there sometime.

[sbhikes]

Lots of hikers are in their 60s. It isn't old at all. The PCT is pretty smooth and the hills aren't steep. You'll have a great time.

You might enjoy the book A Thru-Hiker's Heart by No Way Ray Echols. He was in your age group.

[sarbar]

I met The Lone Ranger this summer and had dinner with him and his wife - funny as it turned out they were from the town my mom grew up in. They knew my mom's family and we had a great time talking. My cousin's knew LR's wife even.

Anyways, they are retired and loving life - and he was out there hiking like crazy

[JohnF]

http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=174724

His AT journal was great, too, if you can find it.

He's journaling about his CDT hike currently.

[garlic08]

My friend Pickle is my role model. I hiked the PCT trying to keep up with Pickle when he was 59. (He thrued the AT two years earlier.) He thrued the AT again at age 64 (with a very fun 20 mile per day average pace!), after hiking the CDT and some shorter trails. He's not a journalist, but he appears often in the journals in my profile.

We also hiked 600 miles of the Pacific Northwest Trail together this year, and after some tough days of 7,000' climbs in the Rockies I heard him say he couldn't have done that when he was in his twenties.

[yappy]

I still see folks in their 70s out there...enjoy the hike . They often got more out of it too then the younger counter parts...

[SouthMark]

I will be attending a friend of mine's 60th birthday celebration Sunday night. It is also a celebration of his triple crown that he completed this year on with the PCT.