Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Setting the Age Standard - We Should Be So Lucky

And I'm picturing Bob R reading this - tsk-tsking, shaking his head and muttering, "kids . . . "

My only problem is that Bee keeps pushing me down the hills when I'm not looking; and my titanium leg freezes up when there's ice on the lake. Moosie,I may need a good PT next year cuz I'll hit that 65 mark and Bee keeps telling me that is when folks say you are officially OLD.

That was an awesome post Lori. Studies show that men in their 90's can still build muscle tissue with resistence weight training.It is never too late to be who you want to be or do what you want to do.

Rod, I think I still have that article somewhere in my papers. I'll have to try to find that!

In all seriousness, most of my patients here in the OV are in that age group. In two years I've met some of the hardiest, most stubborn, and amazing men and women who have spent their lifetimes exploring these mountains. I could sit at their feet and talk story for hours (except I don't think Medicare would call that "skilled services"). All they want, when I am coming to see them, is to somehow, in some way, get back up there. Gotta be honest, that makes my job fairly easy in terms of designing a program!

As for you, Dustrunner, I'll never forget our first meeting, where within 5 minutes we were huddled over my copy of Secor comparing stories. The offer of help on the JMT stands; and if you want company, just ask your wife to give me some time off... Or maybe you can come along when Pop and I try Whitney again this year...

-L

I'm pushing 63 and have a find I can almost remember when I turned 50. So much of what we do is every bit as mental as physical. Keeping that attitude is sooo important. Last year while hiking Kearsearge Pass, a Japanese family, about 10 in all, was going up to the lakes while I was on my way down. Grandma was bringing up the rear, and was 80 years old, wearing a long skirt, long sleeve shirt, large brim hat and her street shoes!! Never missed a beat in keeping up with those youngsters!! I do take a bit more time on my hikes and can't carry much weight in my pack due to an artificial knee. When you young 50 year olds pass me by just be sure to say hello! And don't raise too much trail dust!

Great hiking!

BobD, Modesto, Ca

I really like being considered young at 52! My 40-ish wife rarely allows me think that way, even though I can hike circles around her . . .

About 5 years ago on one of my once or twice yearly hike up Mt. Whitney, after Trail Crest at about 14000', I encountered a dad with his 9 year old daughter. She looked pale and it seemed like she had hit the wall. I started to talk to them and asked the girl, if she liked M&Ms. The biggest smile appeared on her face. I offered her my M&M loaded Trail Mix, wished them good luck and continued on to the peak. Took a long break and as I was headed down, ran into them at the hut. Not to mention she was very proud to have made it to the peak(and dad too) I got a big thank you from them.

It really made my day, wow a 9 year old!!!

I am in the 50s age group a regular on the Mtn. Great thread!!

Best to all, Berne Mettenleiter "The Mountaingoat"

A few weeks ago, there was an elderly woman just concluding her first rim to rim in The Grand Canyon. She was about a half mile from the top of the South Rim and assisted by her son. I must say she didn't look like she needed much assistance. Her son said his mother was 82 years old and her life-long dream was to hike the canyon in one day, from north to south.

What an inspiration. And she was beating many teenagers, who had just gone down to Indian Garden. Amazing.

What an inspirational thread! I turn 53 in a couple of months. Afer many years of being sedentary, I started running when I turned 50, ran my first marathon at 51, made my first ascent of Whitney at 52, and just finished another marathon last month.

I'm happy to see that I still have several decades of this stuff ahead of me!

This is so true.
I didn't start climbing 14'ers until I was 53 and recovered from colon cancer surgery and chemo therapy. I much prefer mountain therapy! I celebrate my 56th B-day on Monday and after reading this thread I look forward to many more years in the mountains!

Okay, Moosie, I'll ask her, but no promises...

Okay, Moosie, I'd like to join you and pop for a shot at Whitney. I've never taken the trail to the top; just helo SAR trips to the summit and the MR, and one winter down-hill from Trail Crest.

I started hiking in the Sierra's at age 15 and haven't stopped yet, 40 plus years later. Next year I'll do a 5 day trip with my son and daughter's boyfriend and then next labor day we plan to do the High Sierra Camps with friends.