7 Tips for Older Hikers and Backpackers

Are you too old to hike? How can you have more fun as an older backpacker? These 7 backpacking tips for older hikers and backpackers will make your next trek safer and more enjoyable.

#joyfulrambler #olderbackpacker #backpacking

00:00 Tips for Older Hiker and Backpackers
00:51 Too Old to Hike?
01:13 #1 - Stretch (a Lot)
02:24 #2 - Pack Light
03:54 #3 - Take Lots of Breaks
05:00 #4 - Eat Well
07:29 #5 - Hike with a Buddy
08:29 #6 - Take Shorter Hikes
10:19 #7 - Prepare for Emergencies
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𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙈𝙚
Hi, I'm Joey, an adventurous spirit who loves exploring the outdoors and sharing my travel adventures. If you enjoy thru-hiking, backpacking, day hikes, and even van life, come along with me!

𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙈𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴊᴏʏғᴜʟ ʀᴀᴍʙʟᴇʀ ʙʟᴏɢ:

ɢᴇᴛ sᴏᴄɪᴀʟ: I’m @JoyfulRabler on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

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[hoozurmama]

60 but in my head in my 20's. Headed to do Newfound Gap to Max Patch on Sunday. Get out there y'all!

[riz]

You're never to old. I'm in my 60s and regularly go hillwalking with a group and several members are in their 80s. If I had a tip it would be make sure you use good quality socks and that you carry a spare pair.

[barbarapaine]

Thank you for this great presentation, and I love to see older hikers. I wish I was 54 again! I’m going to add that trekking poles might be a really good idea, and to watch your steps on the trail if its rocky and uneven. I know a man in his 70’s very mobile, active and healthy, who literally broke his face tripping on a crack in the sidewalk, and another lady in her 50’s who broke a foot and an ankle walking downhill and catching her foot just the right way on a rock. But stop, look up, and admire those views!

[robertdean]

I would also add: exercise, exercise, exercise. If you are not on trail, go to the gym and workout. Interleave cardio with strength exercises, taking one full day off a week for recovery. Also, set a goal of 10, 000 steps a day with 30 flights of stairs minimum, except for your rest day.

[SaveAmerica-]

I'm over 60 and have lost 3 lobes of lung to cancer and have a number of old sports injuries and I still backpack, I just snowshoe hiked today (I had the day off). The more you ask your body to do, it can be done. My luxury items are a warmer pad (I live in Alaska so Exped Downmatt has an R value over 7!) and a Helinox chair Zero. I don't like to sit in snow or wet mud. GREAT channel you have made!

[deborahnaybor]

Thanks. I never liked backpacking when I was in my 20s and tried it again when I was 64. I was doing fine until a bear showed up! We parted ways respectfully but I put in a call and the park offered to come pick me up since I was the only one up at that end of the park. I'll be 67 soon and am willing to give it another try. I definitely need to lighten my load.

[barlow]

I am sixty two and have a collapsed foot, along with the usual arthritis. I keep hiking, just nice days out in the glorious Welsh hills. No big distances, just a few miles punctuated by a brew up occasionally.I also enjoy a spliff once I've summited, but that's probably my age too. My friends think I'm mad 'wearing out' my bad foot and opposing arthritic hip, but I know if you stop, it's game over. I can see my mates turn into bags of jelly as they age in their arm chairs.
I like to take really nice grub with me, everything tastes better with a good appetite and clean air anyway, but it's nice to have something to look forward to. I always take more than I need so I can share, there's nothing nicer than being able to offer someone (not that I see many folk) a freshly cooked bacon roll !

[MtnWanderer-TieDye-]

Yep, almost 52 and feeling the effects of aging. It sucks to think I'm now in that "older" category even though my heart is wanting to act like a 25 year old. I just keep reminding myself that while I can't physically do the things I used to do, I can still laugh, be silly and feel good doing it, which is just as rewarding.

[kristymoore]

I’m 61 and completed the JMT last month. It was HARD, but I saw a lot of older hikers out there. Gave me hope for the future me and all of us. My biggest issue was food. I either didn’t like it or it didn’t like me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to dehydrate much of my own food and the processed and junk stuff didn’t work for me at all. I won’t do a long hike again without my own food. What did work well throughout was jerky, nuts, organic fruit leather, yes, snickers, paydays and also cold cereal or granola (was over oatmeal) with powdered milk for those quickly-need-to-eat mornings. I also cold soaked for the 1st time to be more efficient with my time and hopefully eat more and I’ll definitely be doing more of that going forward.

[Hikingwithfrank]

Just subbed to you. I am 54 and my wife is 56 and we are starting to hike. My wife has been on a few 4 mile local trails with our daughter 26, we all did do a hike 5.5 miles. I made a new channel this month and do photography and hiking shorts and video

[sharonlutz]

80 years old here and looking for some good long distance hiking tips.

[MarySelvidge]

Thank you for helping some people just get up and give it a try 😊

[anitasimmons]

Thank you for this video. I agree. I'm in my late 60s now but still do long section hiking. I grew up camping and as a teen got into backpacking, sailing and canoeing. Years of career and rearing children then upon retirement, I tried out through hiking. I learned real quick thru hiking was not for me, but long section hiking is. I'm only going to get to hike these trails once so I am going to do them in the best season and at a pace that allows me to smell the smells and enjoy the towns along the way.. I now have the inReach Messager after carrying a SPOT gen 3 for over 9 years. The inReach has two way communication abilities were as the SPOT gen 3 did not. My gear is lightweight but not UL, but my backpacks actually fit my verticality challenged older female frame so I will deal with the extra 1, 5 to 3 pounds the backpack cost me. My minimal clothes, shelter and sleep systems are smaller and lighter, just because of size. Stretching and staying in good shape are incredibly important as you age. Thank you again for another informative video. Blessings. ❤😊

[safromnc]

Age is but a number - As long as you use it, you don't lose it. I'm in my 60's but have hiked my entire life & will continue to do so.

[ervinslens]

Absolutely beautiful presentation, you elaborated this so nicely and professionally! Love it!

[jeffprice]

Great advice
Thank you
Enjoyed the advice
Regards Jeff (uk)

[richardross]

Good video. Be Prepared is always a good idea. I recommend a survival kit carried in a neck pouch. Have a SOL Emergency blanket, tealight candles, matches, safety pins, and some string in the kit. Good Luck, Rick

[whitehatproductions]

53 here, and I get out twice a week to kayak and pick up litter. Your not old!!

[marthadoelle]

Your dog looks like my hiking buddy of 14 years. He passed away last October and I am building a cairn in his honor. Best dog ever, Rascal (he earned his name)

[GWwise]

Looks very nice there. Looks like fun.