Who's the strongest over 50 hiker

[lobster]

you have seen? I mean somebody who can walk big miles day in and day out.

[Footslogger]

Definitely wouldn't have been me during my thru in 2003.

But ...now that I got my kidney stone thing taken care of I might be in the running. Then again, my honest preference is not to do consistently big miles. The return in terms of wear/tear isn't worth the investment in the long haul.

'Slogger

[Kerosene]

There was an old guy I ran into at the GA/NC border two years ago in early April who really impressed me. I didn't record his trail name, but I know that he was a regular starter in Georgia many years, although he didn't always complete a thru. I believe that he was over 70, and while he didn't hike fast I know that he was consistently cranking out 15 mile days. I'm sure that there are strong over-50s, but he was remarkable as an over-70.

[LostInSpace]

Lobster asked, "Who's the strongest over 50 hiker?"

Do you mean over 50 years old or over 50 miles a day?

[Footslogger]

Lobster asked, "Who's the strongest over 50 hiker?"

Do you mean over 50 years old or over 50 miles a day?

==============================
If it's 50 Miles ...I'm out !!

'Slogger

[Squeaky 2]

i meet a guy on my first PCT thru who was hiking a 40mile day in the castle crags..............he was in his 70's. that guy was one of the most inspiring people i have met.

[Tha Wookie]

I vote for the ex-president of the Colorado Trail Foundation, retired AF colonel, family man, and monster hiker Merle McDonald.

at age 72, he averaged 22+ miles on his thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. He leads many work trips and hikes to this day, rarely stopping to eat or rest. He is a real role model.

I beleive he's about 75 now.

[kyhipo]

I thought ice falcon was a stronge hiker in 99 and ofcourse my favorite is paw paw just love his attitude.ky

[Nean]

That's easy, that would be my friend, Baltimore Jack!

[gsingjane]

I met a guy at 10 Mile River shelter in CT last summer named Bob, whom I believe was over 50 and who was doing between 25-30 mpd. He had big thick glasses and was either doing a thru or a really long section hike, I don't remember. He was mostly talking with Roamin' Gnome.

Jane in CT

[Shutterbug]

you have seen? I mean somebody who can walk big miles day in and day out.

In 2004, when I hiked the 100 Mile Wilderness, I was a couple of days behind a grandmother who was was on her third thur-hike. I did not catch up to her, but read her posts in several shelter journals.

I don't remember her name, but when she reached Mt. Katahdin, she was so tired she couldn't make it back down. In looking for her name, I found this notation in a report about 2004 rescues on Mt. Katahdin,

"Another 81-year-old woman who climbed Katahdin was so exhausted by the hike that, like Copeland, couldn’t make it down. She spent the night somewhere on the mountain and walked down by herself."

She probably isn't the "strongest" hiker, but she would get my vote for the hiker with the most grit.

[Jack Tarlin]

The most impressive hiker over 50 that I know is probably Fiddlehead.

He's also more impressive than just about any hiker I've met who is under 50, too.

[mweinstone]

hes old ,diein,and a saint. hes my strongest hikin buddy ever.jaywalker for sure.

[Lion King]

BATCH hands down.--he is 83 I think

That guy and his wife ROCK!

[warren doyle]

I guess the only way to find out who the strongest (as defined by 'hiking big miles day in and day out') over 50 hiker is, would be to have a two week unsupported hike (southbound) in Maine in early August for people over 50 y.o.. Whoever got the farthest over a 14-day period (ie. running clock) would be recognized as the strongest among the participants. There could also be a 'over 60' group and a 'over 70' group.

The event could take place August 2-15 and be in two trail segments:

Segment #1 - 155 miles from Abol Bridge CG to Long Falls Dam Road.

Segment #2 - As many miles as possible with the remaining days from Grafton Notch down into Vermont.

The only physical support one can have is the vehicle shuttle between Long Falls Dam Rd. and Grafton Notch.

If folks are interested in this, I would be willing to coordinate it as well as participate.

[Jack Tarlin]

Am I the only one who is not remotely surprised that Warren is volunteering to organize and oversee something as meaningless as this?

And am I the only one amused at his dictating who is and who isn't entitled to vehicular support while hiking?

This alone is priceless.

[Traction]

hahaha.. did i really just read that? wow.

[mingo]

Am I the only one who is not remotely surprised that Warren is volunteering to organize and oversee something as meaningless as this?

And am I the only one amused at his dictating who is and who isn't entitled to vehicular support while hiking?

This alone is priceless.

there you go again. mr negativity

[warren doyle]

See last word in post #15 - p*********e

[max patch]

Is Mr Doyle going to put together a "How to be a strong hiker after 50" seminar?