Tough Old Guys

I've never been embarrased on the trail by someone younger than myself. It is always some old guy who leaves me in the dust. I remember years ago, I was about 22, girl friend and I were in the Canadian Glacier National Park struggling up this trail, one of steepest I had seen at that point. We're just dying hiking up this thing and thinking, "Here we are, prime of our lives, good physical condition and we're really struggling. Anyone else just isn't going to make it up this. Then here comes this old guy chugging up the trail. Easily catches up to us. Stops and chats for a few minutes, "Well, 'bout 6 years ago when I was 72 and climbed Mt. Ranier, ... blah blah blah. Well, gotta go." Whoosh! And he's off just leaving us completely demoralized in his dust.

This has happened to me not once, but many times. It is always the old guy. Well, recently it was my turn to be the tough old guy. I had just turned 50 and a friend of mine & I were backpacking in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Several days in, full packs. Last day, we're hiking out with full packs. First we passed a young couple backpacking out - Whoosh! Passed 'em like they were standing still. Then we pass a couple who had all their gear horse packed in and out, so they are effectively just day hiking out - Whoosh! Blew past them like they were standing still. Later passed a father & 2 boys who were just day hiking - Zoom! Damn! It felt good to be the tough old guy blowing past the younger, more lightly loaded folks!

I have a theory about this (somewhat tongue in cheek). As you get older, nerve endings die so your pain tolerance increases. Also, carrying kids on your back helps. I've certainly noticed that backpack loads that I would have really struggled with when I was younger, I hardly even notice now.