Being outdoors is different for a 68-year-old woman than it is for someone younger. My joints and muscles need special attention. My heart beats faster at higher elevations. My stamina limits are reached much quicker. But the wisdom of age and experience tells me that if I persevere, I will achieve a reward much more appreciated too. So I slow my pace and truck on…
Humans need nature to sustain and heal our bodies, mind, heart and spirit. Our minds may not comprehend what this means, but the rest of our parts recognize this as a fundamental truth.
As we grow older, it is harder for our physical bodies to comfortably connect to the nature we need. However, with a little more preparation and the right gear, we can change this. For example, as an older backpacker, I need a bit more padding and warmth in my sleeping pad, but a lot less weight overall. I prioritize a comfortable chair I can sit in at camp and tasty food to lift my spirits and recover after a hard day of hiking.
We also need more physical preparation than younger folks might need. If I have a hike coming up in two weeks, I need to prepare daily with squats, lunges and short hikes. My sabotaging mind begs me, “Do I really need to? We’ve done this hike many times and didn’t need all this preparation.” However, I have learned not to listen to the saboteur and just get out of the chair and do it anyway.
Lastly, adjust expectations. Yes, you might have easily hiked 15 miles a day in your earlier years, but now 8 miles might be the comfortable limit.
The most important thing is that you take your body out in nature. Move it. Fill it with fresh air, bird song, see with an artist’s eye and work up a good sweat. Be kind to your good old friend and appreciate all the parts beautifully working together to get you out there. It is okay to push her a little bit. She’s a lot stronger than her mind gives her credit for!
Here you will find tips, stories, exercise plans, planning and gear suggestions and other resources to help older people enjoy the outdoors. Come play!
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Planning your outdoor adventure is part of the fun! Preparing your body with exercise specific to your trip, planning the food and gear you will need, and scoping out permits and reservations needed are easy if you know where to look and have the right tools.
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The Wonderland Trail is a 90-mile, strenuous backpacking trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier in Washington state’s Mount Rainier National Park. It is known for its breathtaking views, diverse scenery including wildflower filled meadows, glaciers and significant elevation changes, with over 24,000’ of overall gain. Permits to hike the entire circuit can be obtained through a lottery…
1983 First Backpacking Trip – lots of lessons learned!
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