Survival and age.

jackknife said:
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.
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GREAT post !!!

Sadly, you kinda gotta be there to realize you're THERE. :)






Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
As George Bernard Shaw once said "youth is wasted on the young"

I'm 45 years young and have a degenerative disc condition but find that a core
strengthening routine and daily stretching work wonders and fortunately I'm still
able to partake in and enjoy outdoor activities.
 
KuRUpTD said:
As George Bernard Shaw once said "youth is wasted on the young"

I'm 45 years young and have a degenerative disc condition but find that a core
strengthening routine and daily stretching work wonders and fortunately I'm still
able to partake in and enjoy outdoor activities.
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Our workout routine is probably the only think keeping us going like we have been. We have a Body Solid machine down the basement, as well as an eleiptical for cardio in bad weather when we can't get out to walk. We have a 3 mile trail we do in the woods every morning that takes about an hour. Lots of up and down terrain, through the woods. On odd days we use use the weight machine, carefully. My better half has two degenerated discs, and my Frankenstien pined together shoulder won't take alot of weight, so I do ligther weights at more reps, as does she.

The biggest difference I saw was between 50 and 60. It seemed that no matter how we worked out, by 60 years old there was a noticable decrease in things. Old age ain't for the faint of heart.

We seem to be holding at a point where a 5 to 10 mile hike is doable, but the 15 milers are out for us, unless its a one way, with a pick up at the other end. And the terrain ain't too tough, like the C&O Canal Trail National Park. Then our Trek mountain bikes make it easier on us.

After age 60, we found we had to allow half again as much time for the return trip for fatigue factor. It takes us a bit longer on the return trip.

And Fraser, you're right about the 2 legged varmits. The wolves take a closer look at the old ones near the back of the herd.
 
By the time camping weather returns I will be 65. I have no plans to stop doing the camping thing or the hunting and fishing but It does take longer to do the same things than it used to and some types of arthritis just don't gain a thing by trying to exercise. Moving around will loosen things up but if the cartilage is gone, you are going to have a lot of pain. Bone against bone just don't work.:eek: I hope to get a new shoulder by spring.:thumbup:

Good subject though, we are all going to get old, or die young.:thumbdn:
 
This is a good post. I'm 56. The knees and back are no way near what they used to be and it's real hard to keep my weight down. But I'll be damned if I'm going to sprout on a couch. It's nice to have company.
 
well, 20 years ago, I was but a thought. At 18, I share your thoughts, and your pain. I suffer from Chronic Fatigue and arthritis that I currently take medication for. I have to find ways to cut back on gear all the time, I feel I usually need nothing more than a good fixed and a survival kit, first aid is nice, but nothing a hankerchief and tape cant fix. I find folding saws to be a blessing, when Ive done tests on knives and tools, Im out for a few days, my hands swell and im more less usless.

So yes, I agree with everything and have to admit, new technology and lighter tools make the world of a diffrence.
 
Great post. I'm an avid hunter and outdoorsman who is 45 years old. A lifetime of ranch work has taken a bit of a toll on me even at this age. Primarily my back is prone to getting real sore. I also find that while I can do almost everything I could ever do, it takes me much longer to recover from a strenuous outdoor expedition. I find that taking it slow, packing light, and taking an ibuprophen really helps.
 
Damn good advice. I'm definitely going to remember these. Thanks for posting, and don't hesitate to add to the list.
 
YOU'RE GETTING OLDER WHEN... :D

- Your doctor doesn't give you x-rays anymore but just holds you up to the light.
- Your wife says, "Let's go upstairs and make love" and you answer, "Honey, I can't do both!"
- When you don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.
- It takes two tries to get up from the couch.
- Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.
- It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.
- Adult diapers are actually kind of convenient.
- Conversations with people your own age often turn into "dueling ailments."
- You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..."
- You're asleep, but others worry that you're dead.
- Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
- You light the candles on your birthday cake, and a group of campers form a circle and start singing "Kumbaya."
 
I just turned 41 and I am hurting bad. My shoulders hurt so damn bad right I can barely move. I am gong to re-read this and then show it to my kids.
 
Boy does this thread resonate with me. I'm almost 50 now, and can really tell it.

About 4 years ago, I volunteered for demolition duty at my church for a remodeling project. I swung a sledgehammer for several hours, and now understand what tennis elbow is. That, coupled with some arthritis in my hip has taught me some hard lessons, but still able to hike, just have to take a lot more care and slow down.

Still better than being at room temperature, though! :D
 
I use to think you were a pansy if you had tennis elbow. After building a tree stand five years ago, the elbow hurt for a year. Hurt just to pick up a coffee cup.
 
This post has brought a smile to my face as I realize how much good company I have. I can only echo the comments that "recovery" from our activities is a sure sign that "you have arrived". What used to heal in days now can take weeks or months. I recently found that trying to play amateur lumberjack is OK for one good day's work, but doing the chainsaw, spliting maul routine on back to back days really takes a toll (at 66). The day after, I don't want to even look at an axe. Back, shoulder, elbow, hands...it's easier to list what doesn't feel beat-up. I wish I could have somehow appreciated the freedom of youth while I was still there...but I doubt that I would have listened or understood during those years. Now we who have "arrived" have to adjust our expectations and accept compromise to enjoy our outdoor activities...anyway, it beats giving up.
 
I am a firm believer in going on conditioning walks twice a week, 6 miles or so in the woodlands. Some nice big hills are good as you are cursing in between winded breaths. A few years ago I started walked with a Sierra Club conditioning outing led by a man in his seventies, it was tough keeping up and he leave you in his dust if he wanted. He loved the woods and inspires me to this day though he is now gone. I am 45 and contemplating "The Rachel Carson Challenge" a 34 mile one day endurance hike held on the beggining of the summer solstice. Sunrise to sunset. People think I am crazy, my farthest distance was about 20 miles over rough terrian many years ago.....if I could pull it off.
 
akula83 said:
I am a firm believer in going on conditioning walks twice a week, 6 miles or so in the woodlands. Some nice big hills are good as you are cursing in between winded breaths. A few years ago I started walked with a Sierra Club conditioning outing led by a man in his seventies, it was tough keeping up and he leave you in his dust if he wanted. He loved the woods and inspires me to this day though he is now gone. I am 45 and contemplating "The Rachel Carson Challenge" a 34 mile one day endurance hike held on the beggining of the summer solstice. Sunrise to sunset. People think I am crazy, my farthest distance was about 20 miles over rough terrian many years ago.....if I could pull it off.
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A 34 mile one day hike. :eek: You must be in incredible shape.
 
akula83 said:
I am a firm believer in going on conditioning walks twice a week, 6 miles or so in the woodlands. Some nice big hills are good as you are cursing in between winded breaths. A few years ago I started walked with a Sierra Club conditioning outing led by a man in his seventies, it was tough keeping up and he leave you in his dust if he wanted. He loved the woods and inspires me to this day though he is now gone. I am 45 and contemplating "The Rachel Carson Challenge" a 34 mile one day endurance hike held on the beggining of the summer solstice. Sunrise to sunset. People think I am crazy, my farthest distance was about 20 miles over rough terrian many years ago.....if I could pull it off.
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Go for it! Not as bad it sounds, did a 50k like that once. You do have to keep moving though, and train for it at our age. Had a blast.
 
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