I had to learn the hard way a few times, that things change as you age.
With the passing of years, one will see the accumulation of old injuries acting up, arthritis, as well as other medical issues that will in time limit what you do. Hand strength will decrease due to arthritic issues or nerve damage from life's trials. You will have to learn different ways of doing things.
Of course this will have a direct effect on your outdoor skills. If one does not want to end up sitting on the porch, you have to develope a whole new way of dealing with the outdoors in general, and the subject of survival in particular.
As a senior citizen, I love to get out in the woods, ans I'm blessed with a better half that shares my passion. We have explored products that let us do more, while carrying less weight. I doubt either of our daypacks are more than 5 pounds, yet if we had to, we could ride out a few days with what we have with us.
What we've learned;
1. Plastic is your best friend. One of those 10 foot square disposable plastic sheet drop cloths are all of a couple bucks at Lowes, but makes a way better shelter than you can make with an ax, in just a few moments. Water proof, wind proof, and about as big as a paper back novel. They come in 10X10, 12 X 12, 9 X 10. Heck, have the 'ol lady carry one in her pack and between the two of you you'll have a plastic palace to ride out a storm.
2. Cotton jute twine. Cheap, holds knots great under wind buffeting, biodegradable, and makes passable tinder.
3. Rubber maid containers. Comes in many small sizes, waterproof, pretty crush proof, can see thru, cheap.
4. Hiking staff. Makes a great third leg, can probe under logs for dry tinder without risking hands to "varmits", wards off dogs that people say are friendly but is growling and has hair on back up, is already in hand if you meet somebody on the trail that may be another Gary Hilton.
5. Don't chop. By the time you get to the mid 60's and have a rotator cuff held together with screw and a couple of pins, arthritis in youhands from cranking on a mill, and the better half has some disk problems, rumitid arthtitis in her hands, and between the two of you, you learn other ways. Saws are good. Not as macho as heaqving an ax, but a medium Sven saw breaks down and with a extra blade still wiegths less than a hatchet. Still not as easy as using a forked tree to break up the dry stuff.
6. If theres a place to splurge, its on clothing. Your clothes are your first line of defense in the cold. A Filson double cape cruiser coat looks expensive on paper, but after one winter you'll think you got a bargin. Stay away from bargin clothing and cheap boots.
7. Never carry anything you don't absolutly need. Weight is your motral enemy.
Just keep in mind, that now may be the best time to start developing outdoor techniques that you can use if you get injured, disabled, or just get old and can't do what you did 20 years ago. That last bit gets us all eventually.
Things change.
With the passing of years, one will see the accumulation of old injuries acting up, arthritis, as well as other medical issues that will in time limit what you do. Hand strength will decrease due to arthritic issues or nerve damage from life's trials. You will have to learn different ways of doing things.
Of course this will have a direct effect on your outdoor skills. If one does not want to end up sitting on the porch, you have to develope a whole new way of dealing with the outdoors in general, and the subject of survival in particular.
As a senior citizen, I love to get out in the woods, ans I'm blessed with a better half that shares my passion. We have explored products that let us do more, while carrying less weight. I doubt either of our daypacks are more than 5 pounds, yet if we had to, we could ride out a few days with what we have with us.
What we've learned;
1. Plastic is your best friend. One of those 10 foot square disposable plastic sheet drop cloths are all of a couple bucks at Lowes, but makes a way better shelter than you can make with an ax, in just a few moments. Water proof, wind proof, and about as big as a paper back novel. They come in 10X10, 12 X 12, 9 X 10. Heck, have the 'ol lady carry one in her pack and between the two of you you'll have a plastic palace to ride out a storm.
2. Cotton jute twine. Cheap, holds knots great under wind buffeting, biodegradable, and makes passable tinder.
3. Rubber maid containers. Comes in many small sizes, waterproof, pretty crush proof, can see thru, cheap.
4. Hiking staff. Makes a great third leg, can probe under logs for dry tinder without risking hands to "varmits", wards off dogs that people say are friendly but is growling and has hair on back up, is already in hand if you meet somebody on the trail that may be another Gary Hilton.
5. Don't chop. By the time you get to the mid 60's and have a rotator cuff held together with screw and a couple of pins, arthritis in youhands from cranking on a mill, and the better half has some disk problems, rumitid arthtitis in her hands, and between the two of you, you learn other ways. Saws are good. Not as macho as heaqving an ax, but a medium Sven saw breaks down and with a extra blade still wiegths less than a hatchet. Still not as easy as using a forked tree to break up the dry stuff.
6. If theres a place to splurge, its on clothing. Your clothes are your first line of defense in the cold. A Filson double cape cruiser coat looks expensive on paper, but after one winter you'll think you got a bargin. Stay away from bargin clothing and cheap boots.
7. Never carry anything you don't absolutly need. Weight is your motral enemy.
Just keep in mind, that now may be the best time to start developing outdoor techniques that you can use if you get injured, disabled, or just get old and can't do what you did 20 years ago. That last bit gets us all eventually.
Things change.
I found out this year that my arthritic hands have got to the point that I could'nt hardly skin the two deer I took. I beat my hands up pretty bad when I was young and now I'm paying for it. I had to end up using a pair of Vise-grips to grab the skin and pull. I guess it goes to the processor skin on next year--KV
Doc
