I turn 60 this week, so that has me thinking about my remaining paddle and portage shelf life. In another thread, GraniteCliffs figures he can go unto 75 or so. I reckon about the same for me. Anyone think they can push to 80? Beyond?

First off, happy birthday.

No one likes to think of their own morality. I think genetics play a big roll in one's health. Having said that, I believe that eating right, exercising, keeping your mind active, and seeing your doctor or a regular basis goes a long way to extending ones stay on the big blue marble.

I hope to retire or at least slow down somewhere around 60/65 so I can enjoy life and do the things I want to do, before I can no longer do them.

This very same topic came up on our trip this year. We all have the same concerns except the 14 year-old. To be a kid again....sigh.

To answer your question, I hope to be able to still trip until I'm in my early 70's. I might not be able to portage a mile with a canoe on my back, but there are plenty of places to go that require only minimal portaging.

Paddle yes until 80 or so. Portage no. I am close to paddle only trips now at age 69. See how I am doing this transition in the base camping basics forum.

My dad is still going strong at age 80 - paddling, walking fast (!), and cycling. His last trip was 2 years ago, might go again this year if I have time. He does a much better job maintaining his weight compared to his sons. The problem he's had since his mid 70's is that the joints aren't as strong. He just can't bear any extra weight on his ankles like from a big backpack or a canoe.

My model, from watching my dad and other older members from this forum (and some masters runners), is to aggressively maintain your weight, and start babying your joints with lower inpact activities starting in your mid-40's (even if you can do much more). I'm a bit late on babying the joints :(. Also I'll need a much lighter canoe in my 70's if I plan on portaging safely (~20lbs). I don't worry about big weights and massive cardio anymore - I think the risk of injury outweighs any benefit. If I excercise my main goal is to supress my appetite. I keep my weights light enough now for 20 easy reps. I figure that strategy gets me to mid 70's. After that I'll need someone to portage my stuff.

When I get older I will just take the tow from moose to Splash and camp there. Or maybe just stay on a entry lake. If I can walk, I will trip to the BWCA.

quote NotLight: "
My dad is still going strong at age 80 - paddling, walking fast (!), and cycling. His last trip was 2 years ago, might go again this year if I have time. He does a much better job maintaining his weight compared to his sons. The problem he's had since his mid 70's is that the joints aren't as strong. He just can't bear any extra weight on his ankles like from a big backpack or a canoe.


My model, from watching my dad and other older members from this forum (and some masters runners), is to aggressively maintain your weight, and start babying your joints with lower inpact activities starting in your mid-40's (even if you can do much more). I'm a bit late on babying the joints :(. Also I'll need a much lighter canoe in my 70's if I plan on portaging safely (~20lbs). I don't worry about big weights and massive cardio anymore - I think the risk of injury outweighs any benefit. If I excercise my main goal is to supress my appetite. I keep my weights light enough now for 20 easy reps. I figure that strategy gets me to mid 70's. After that I'll need someone to portage my stuff.




"

I like your approach. Weight is key and it's hard. So many of us thicken as we age, effectively duct taping cinder blocks and cans of beans to our bodies and it's hard enough to carry a canoe without those damn cinder blocks. I also like your limiting high joint impact activities.

I turned 73 this year just a few days after my trip into Lac La Croix (entry # 16) with a friend. I got along OK but I could tell that the longer portages were getting to be a bit much. I did them well enough, but I was happy to have someone else haul the canoe out on that last 180 rod portage back up the hill to the truck. I haven't given up on doing more trips with portages but I can see a time when I will want to just go in on a lake where no portages are required and base camp. And there are plenty of places like that, and others where one or two short, fairly easy portages get you into some nice country.

BTW my dad turned 98 this last summer and although he is way past doing a BW trip, he is still in fairly good health, so perhaps I have a few years left.

Bill

I was talking with a friend about next years trip and my wife said, "Are you planning to go AGAIN!" I told her I plan to go as long as I am able. I'm 62 so and other than Diabetes (which I control with diet, exercise and oral meds at this point) I am in excellent health. But I am also aware that I don't have an infinite number of journeys in my future.

Ones health and abilities as one ages have a thousand variables. Truly what will work for one will not work for another. I took heart reading another thread in which folks reported how many knee, hip & shoulder replacements and back surgeries they have had yet still paddle the BWCA. So there is reason for optimism.

The day may come when portaging will be out of the question. That is why I have no problem with a few lakes being motor lakes. Do I enjoy being passed by a motored boat - no. Will I enjoy being motored out to a site on Seagull, Sag, Newfound, Basswood, etc when I'm in my 80's? Most definitely!

I just finished a 5 day backing trip in the big horn mt's of Wyoming I turned 60 Aug 4th I see myself canoe camping a lot longer then back packing.

My kids can portage me when I hit that age.

quote WHendrix: "I turned 73 this year just a few days after my trip into Lac La Croix (entry # 16) with a friend. I got along OK but I could tell that the longer portages were getting to be a bit much. I did them well enough, but I was happy to have someone else haul the canoe out on that last 180 rod portage back up the hill to the truck. I haven't given up on doing more trips with portages but I can see a time when I will want to just go in on a lake where no portages are required and base camp. And there are plenty of places like that, and others where one or two short, fairly easy portages get you into some nice country.


BTW my dad turned 98 this last summer and although he is way past doing a BW trip, he is still in fairly good health, so perhaps I have a few years left.


Bill"

73 and still on the trail! My hero!!!

I turn 60 early next year. In twenty years many things could change. Medical technology could be at the point where pharmaceuticals, nutrition and equipment may allow 80 year olds a real chance to continue tripping.
Sedan chairs covered with mosquito netting carried over the portages like Cleopatra could be an option provided by Outfitters.

We went with my mom, when she was 85 or so. Wrote an article in the BWJ about it. She did not portage much on our twelve portages but she carried some stuff, slept on the ground, paddled the canoe and wandered up and down the shore from camp.
I got hope!

I'll turn 70 before I do another trip, but this year's trips were very doable. I paddle solo, but generally have a partner along. This year I got in 2 trips to Quetico, each of 14 days (on water) duration. Both trips were, at my partners' request, were designed to be somewhat low-impact (one partner is slightly older and the other is younger, but has had recent back surgery). Trip #1 featured a drop off at the Black Robe portage area (actually went in via Brewer Rapids) and an exit at Bottle Portage. We went north to Minn and up the Darkwater River to Darkwater and into Wicksteed, then back out to Darkwater and out via Argo, the Rolands, Crooked, and Iron. Trip #2 was a "northern tier" traverse, entering at Beaverhouse, thru Cirrus, down to Kasakokwog, and eastward through McAlpine, Batchawaung, Pickerel and French. Trip #1 was a double portage trip; trip #2 was a triple portage trip (to minimize carry weight for my partner because of his back issues). I suspect my future probably has more triple portage trips in it. The good new is ... I'm really in no hurry to make miles since I generally have plenty of time just to meander around.

Unless my situation changes, I think I'll still be able to do similar trips until at least 75.

dd

Hey miss Molly, the last three years have been a bugger. Last year I paddled with magic paddler. At 69 he out did me big time. Later I'd find I had blood clots in my lungs, this may have been going on for a bit. The symptoms were there for a long time I just didn't realize it. Lot's of things we do are unhealthy. Sitting for long periods of time, maybe diets... you name it. My doc pulled me off the road now (new doc). I hope to be in much better shape by next year. Just this neck brace has done more in days than months of physical therapy. Where you live you have some good walking. You haven't moved have you? Walking has done much for me. Being busy too, cutting trees, hauling with wheelbarrow. Building Rock retaining wall... all that stuff doc said not to do haha. Good exercise. My turn to build a house. Nothing big or fancy, just not an old hunting shack no more. Haha. But my point is I'm trying to get motivated... I feel a lot of the physical stuff got me down. So I'm trying to get myself excited about next year. That alone gets me out doing stuff like walking and working outside. My son laughs cause I spend as much time working on my little campsites for my friends as I do my house. I've fought headaches and neck problems since last September. Imagine having a full blown migraine for eleven months straight. I've not always been real kind. My original doctor was trying to tell me I was depressed. I finally switched doctors. The new one is like omg, you need to get this resolved now! It took some doing but doing better. I think being motivated will keep me paddling longer and keep me active too. It all goes hand in hand. For a while I thought 60 was not doing me good. But I'm feeling some new life happening. Happy Birthday MM!

Hey miss Molly, the last three years have been a bugger. Last year I paddled with magic paddler. At 69 he out did me big time. Later I'd find I had blood clots in my lungs, this may have been going on for a bit. The symptoms were there for a long time I just didn't realize it. Lot's of things we do are unhealthy. Sitting for long periods of time, maybe diets... you name it. My doc pulled me off the road now (new doc). I hope to be in much better shape by next year. Just this neck brace has done more in days than months of physical therapy. Where you live you have some good walking. You haven't moved have you? Walking has done much for me. Being busy too, cutting trees, hauling with wheelbarrow. Building Rock retaining wall... all that stuff doc said not to do haha. Good exercise. My turn to build a house. Nothing big or fancy, just not an old hunting shack no more. Haha. But my point is I'm trying to get motivated... I feel a lot of the physical stuff got me down. So I'm trying to get myself excited about next year. That alone gets me out doing stuff like walking and working outside. My son laughs cause I spend as much time working on my little campsites for my friends as I do my house. I've fought headaches and neck problems since last September. Imagine having a full blown migraine for eleven months straight. I've not always been real kind. My original doctor was trying to tell me I was depressed. I finally switched doctors. The new one is like omg, you need to get this resolved now! It took some doing but doing better. I think being motivated will keep me paddling longer and keep me active too. It all goes hand in hand. For a while I thought 60 was not doing me good. But I'm feeling some new life happening. Happy Birthday MM!

Ben, I am so happy to read you're feeling better. You've run a gauntlet, but you're still standing, so you enter the brotherhood of warriors. Happy to read you're finally building your house. I too would like to live in a shack someday. Small is easy and cheap. Big means you're literally burning your money heating the monstrosity!

I'm 56 and soon going on a pretty ruggerd 13 night solo in quetico. I feel good probably because I've been training for a while. I think "how you think" or our self talk matters a whole lot. I try not to see age numbers as a paradigm. Most people these days think your old if your over 80. Literally thinking and believing that will have you severely slowing down when you reach 80 because you then believe you are "old". Paradigm shifting can easily be done. Google the name Bob Proctor, he's a genius on the subject.

I love the quote "If you think you can or you think you can't, you are right." So, my plan is to use 100 as a goal. I won't be old till I reach 100. In the meantime I am extremely active (I climb ladders, stretch, and carry things for a living) and also am a distributor for a very high end health and wellness company which will remain nameless per this website's policy. But I will say that I believe that company's products will keep me paddlin' and portaging for decades more.

I think that given good structural health(as in no back/spine issues) the two things that limit older folks ability to travel in the BWCA is loss of muscle mass with age and ability to afford lighter gear. After about 60 or so it takes real effort to maintain muscle mass. Once you lose it at this age it is real hard to get back. People who are able to continue canoe tripping into their 70s and beyond are usually very active all year around maintaining and using those muscles daily.

Even with good muscles joints and bone are deteriorating so lifting and carrying less weight becomes important. In my mid 60s I sprung for a very light tandem and my 29 pound solo is so easy to carry. Tents have gotten lighter, but the lightest are the most expensive. Most real light gear is expensive.

One thing I think about is not eliminating portage, but embracing them with more trips across. I can see carrying that 40 pound canoe with no pack. Dividing up the outfit into more packs and making more trips across the portage the older I get.

I'll be planning trips on bigger lakes two spend more time paddling than portaging. The old voyageurs highway route looks more and more inviting as I age. Besides its the first trip I did in 1968! Time to revisit.

I will be 60 in January. I will be leaving for a 10-12 day solo trip in about 10 days. I didn't prep as hard this time. I still have lots of packing and things to do yet. I have had a hard time dropping the weight despite being very active most of the summer. However I think for me the physical part might outlast the mental part. I have not been as fired up about this trip as I have about trips in the past. I don't want to keep doing it..."just because". There are lots of other bucket list items left that need prioritization. I hope to do a lot of thinking about this topic on the upcoming trip.

We always said we hoped to be canoe-tripping well into our 70's. That was our dream.

I have chosen to hang it up at 70. Well, I guess actually it was a bit before that, since 2013 was our last BWCA trip and I turned 71 this year. But the decision was finally made last summer.

I have spine issues, and have had both knees replaced, the last one this past February. The knees are good now, but the back is not. In addition there is a great deal of painful arthritis in my feet, and that affects my mobility and balance. For me it is not the paddling, per se. I love to paddle. It is sometimes the sitting in the canoe (numbness in legs or leg cramps due to back issues) and getting in and out of the canoe on rocky landings. Fear of falling on difficult landings. If the landings were all on sandy beaches. . .

. . .if the portages were all smooth trails.

People say things like, "Have someone else carry your packs!" "Do a no-portage trip!" "Base camp on a big lake and take day trips."

These are all good options. But, unfortunately, they do not satisfy my need for a real canoe trip in my silly mind. To me (and I do not want to get into an argument here--it is purely a personal opinion) a canoe trip is the total package. It is traveling from lake to lake, exploring new territory, carrying the pack over the portage, and doing it all. If I cannot do that, I would just as soon stay in a cabin on the edge of the BWCA somewhere like Rockwood or Clearwater and take my day trips from there. Sleep in a bed and cook in a kitchen, and still enjoy the northwoods and the lakes and the loons.

We started canoe-tripping in our 20's. I loved the way it was then, and my memories are still very vivid. We adapted a great deal as the decades flew by, and all of it was good. But I do not regret the decision I made to let it go now. It was a heartbreaking decision, and I wish it were not so. . .but I think it was the correct one.

This year, due to Spartan1's illness, we had to forego our annual Minnesota cabin week. We hope we will be back up there next year, and our saga will continue.

Happy birthday MissMolly. There have been many good threads discussing getting older and how we cope and good comments made here.
I believe appreciating the gift of life itself is celebrated all year long. I have given gifts hoping the recipient would take good care of it and enjoy it for a long time to come and I think the one who gave me the gift of life would wish the same. Through taking good care of and enjoying my gift I do hope to enjoy trips into my 80's where I carry my pack and canoe and celebrate.

quote GraniteCliffs: "We went with my mom, when she was 85 or so. Wrote an article in the BWJ about it. She did not portage much on our twelve portages but she carried some stuff, slept on the ground, paddled the canoe and wandered up and down the shore from camp.
I got hope!"

Yes, but knowing you and your family - Your mom is pretty much Wonder Woman!

quote dentondoc: Trip #2 was a "northern tier" traverse, entering at Beaverhouse, thru Cirrus, down to Kasakokwog, and eastward through McAlpine, Batchawaung, Pickerel and French. Trip #1 was a double portage trip; trip #2 was a triple portage trip (to minimize carry weight for my partner because of his back issues). I suspect my future probably has more triple portage trips in it. The good new is ... I'm really in no hurry to make miles since I generally have plenty of time just to meander around.

dd"

I am 66 and the portages are not an issue for me yet because I triple portage. My strength issue is wind. I generally solo and if the wind kicks up it is difficult to cross big water (even sorta big water) because I know if I stop to rest I go backwards. I do exercise all year, but my shoulders take a beating fighting wind. I know the strategies - leave early or paddle late - but sometimes that just doesn't work for me.

Here's my question to dd: Your trip #2, in theory, went with the wind. I've been contemplating the same trip. What was the wind really like for you from Beaverhouse to French?

While you think about your answer, I'm going to go try and do a push up.

Thanks!

Dave

Happy Birthday!

I'm still doing it and hope to for quite a few more years. It's hard to say just how long. I definitely need to be more consistent about my exercising and hope the joints hold out. If they hold out and I can get back into a little better shape, I think 75 is realistic and maybe even longer. It's getting harder to stay in good shape as I get older - less energy, more aches, pains, minor injuries, etc. that interrupt my training.

Good luck on the quest.

I've thought about it, (62 years old now and 30 trips), but here are my thoughts:

When you can't do the portaging anymore and can't or won't put in the exercise to get into shape, you go on an no- or low-portage trip.

Paddling is much easier, so if you don't portage much, you can can at least do a no-portage trip if you wish.

Lastly, you could always do day trips on a single lake from a place that has a landing on a lake, such as Kawishiwi Lake, Sawbill Lake, or others. I've had a number of great week long trips at a resort on Vermillion with a motor boat. Pretty pricey though.

After that, I've either lost interest or I'm pretty much toast. Or, perhaps I could go a little longer with some help from one of my sons - the non-computer geek one.

At that point it is time to sell, gift to kid(s) or otherwise get rid the gear and canoe, and find something else to do.

Seems pretty simple. You do what you can, as long as you want to. I think the "want to" is pretty important. When you can't, or it is no fun any more, you are done.

Tomster

My main tripping buddy and I are both 60 and in the last few years we have been talking about how long we can continue taking BW trips. I am lucky enough at this point to not have any serious health concerns but i do have a bunch of extra weight that I would love to get rid of. Walking 3-4 miles most nights and watching what I eat and drink has dropped about 15 of those extra pounds in the last couple months and i hope to keep going until I reach my goal of another 30-35 pounds. This can't be a temporary program though, has to be a permanent lifestyle change - i am ok with that.

We went into Gabbro in May and triple portaged the 200 rodder in, meaning 5 trips across, 3 with loads(my buddys idea, never done that before). Had to stop a time or two but no real problems at all. In October we are backpacking in to Crosby Manitou State park for a couple nights, stopping at Savanna Portage for a couple nights with a lot of hiking on the agenda, then heading to Kathio to backpack in to a really cool site there. So I keep active and challenge myself and I don't see that changing. Our trips aren't as aggressive as they used to be, more base camp and relax type trips. but i enjoy them as much as ever.

There may come a day when we have to trip only in areas with one or two very short portages or even canoe to the end of an entry lake and set up camp. Perhaps even a tow or motorboat trip in to Sag or the like. But I would still be up there enjoying the beauty and solitude - the day I can no longer get to the northwoods of minnesota for the trips I so love will be the beginning of my demise. I don't see it happening anytime soon but for all of us we simply just don't know what is down the road a piece for us. I intend to enjoy every trip as if it were my last and continue to hope I never know for sure that i am on my last trip.

quote missmolly: "I turn 60 this week, so that has me thinking about my remaining paddle and portage shelf life. In another thread, GraniteCliffs figures he can go unto 75 or so. I reckon about the same for me. Anyone think they can push to 80? Beyond? "

Happy birthday and your a youngster to some of us. A spring chicken.

I am 67 and still figure many years ahead. Trouble is at that age you don't know how your health will be a year from now.

Biggest thing is keep in shape and at this age a person can lose muscle mass fairly fast. Do some type of weight lifting and biking is excellent for the legs.

I hope to be paddling into my early 70's then it may be time to hang up the paddle.
I am 53 and have been trying to save my knees for 10 years now.
Fighting fires in the mountains with a pack on your back takes a toll.
I avoid steps, whenever possible, and I avoid a down hill decent if I can. I also love backpacking so this is a hard path to follow. (Pun Intended).

I'm 5' 10" 175# but my knees are my worry.
I also am worried when I read that people are doing stairs to get into shape for portaging. Stairs are hard on the knees, especially going down.

My wife injured her knee doing stairs at her hospital so she could get into shape for a backpacking trip we were planning on taking into the BearTooth Wilderness.
We were resigned to car camping, and her knee still bothers her after 5 years.

Do hills if you want to get in shape for portages. Steps will catch up with your knees when you are in the late fall of your life. (IMHO).

quote LindenTree3: "I hope to be paddling into my early 70's then it may be time to hang up the paddle.
I am 53 and have been trying to save my knees for 10 years now.
Fighting fires in the mountains with a pack on your back takes a toll.
I avoid steps, whenever possible, and I avoid a down hill decent if I can. I also love backpacking so this is a hard path to follow. (Pun Intended).

I'm 5' 10" 175# but my knees are my worry.
I also am worried when I read that people are doing stairs to get into shape for portaging. Stairs are hard on the knees, especially going down.

My wife injured her knee doing stairs at her hospital so she could get into shape for a backpacking trip we were planning on taking into the BearTooth Wilderness.
We were resigned to car camping, and her knee still bothers her after 5 years.

Do hills if you want to get in shape for portages. Steps will catch up with your knees when you are in the late fall of your life. (IMHO)."

Like you say the going downhill is the part that is hard on knees,especially with a extra load.

Been a while but the Beartooth mountains are heaven to a backpacker. open spaces ,1000 lakes and snow into July. Love them.
Sorry to hear about the knee problems.

quote RetiredDave: "Here's my question to dd: Your trip #2, in theory, went with the wind. I've been contemplating the same trip. What was the wind really like for you from Beaverhouse to French?"

Dave -

I must admit, that for the most part, I was lucky with wind crossing big water (Minn, Darkwater, Wicksteed, Crooked) on trip #1 was under near glass-like conditions. Certainly one cannot count on such luck, but I was indeed grateful not to have to expend the energy required to padding into a stiff wind (or even quartering wind).

On trip #2, we were again lucky for the most part. Padding nearly the complete length of Cirrus (which has almost a "Z" pattern to traverse the three "tiers" of the lake), we did face some wind challenges early and use the lee of the shoreline and a few islands to take advantage of the wind shadow a bit. But the main eastward paddle down Cirrus had the wind mostly to our backs. Although we had some windy days during our stay on Kasakokwog, on our paddle out of the lake, through McAlpine and into Batch and on to the Pickerel Narrows was under conditions of a pleasant breeze to our backs. And the miracle of miracles ... we paddled from the Narrows to "The Pines" under dead calm until the last half hour.

I do know the challenges of paddling these waters under completely different/challenging conditions (as a solo paddler), so I must say that the wind was our friend on paddling days, but was sometimes a bit of a challenge on the days selected for layovers. So fishing layovers were often set up to paddle west early in the day so we wouldn't be paddling into a stiff wind on our return to camp. This was a very good choice on many of those days.

dd

Missmolly, I've been watching this thread with interest. Great topic.

At 56, I've started to wonder when difficulty will outweigh the reward. It is reassuring to read the posts of those who are in their mid-60s and older, and still portaging.

quote LindenTree3: "
I'm 5' 10" 175# but my knees are my worry.
I also am worried when I read that people are doing stairs to get into shape for portaging. Stairs are hard on the knees, especially going down.

Do hills if you want to get in shape for portages. Steps will catch up with your knees when you are in the late fall of your life. (IMHO)."

I jog stairs with a 25# pack on before trips. I think it's very important to have strong muscles around your knees and in your legs before you do this however. But IMO it's great portage training.

I think the MAIN THING is staying in shape year round all the time. I know if I don't do anything for even one month I lose a lot of muscle and it's hell getting it back. Get in shape and - here's the key - enjoy staying active and working out. All the time on a consistent basis. Combine that with eating right and you're good to go.

We are 75 and 65 and still do at least 4 trips per year. Most are over a week long. I am the 65yr old and am the one who has started looking for easier portages. We really don't have an age in mind to stop and hope to stay healthy enough to keep going. We love it!

I must admit, that for the most part, I was lucky with wind crossing big water (Minn, Darkwater, Wicksteed, Crooked) on trip #1 was under near glass-like conditions. Certainly one cannot count on such luck, but I was indeed grateful not to have to expend the energy required to padding into a stiff wind (or even quartering wind).

On trip #2, we were again lucky for the most part. Padding nearly the complete length of Cirrus (which has almost a "Z" pattern to traverse the three "tiers" of the lake), we did face some wind challenges early and use the lee of the shoreline and a few islands to take advantage of the wind shadow a bit. But the main eastward paddle down Cirrus had the wind mostly to our backs. Although we had some windy days during our stay on Kasakokwog, on our paddle out of the lake, through McAlpine and into Batch and on to the Pickerel Narrows was under conditions of a pleasant breeze to our backs. And the miracle of miracles ... we paddled from the Narrows to "The Pines" under dead calm until the last half hour.

I do know the challenges of paddling these waters under completely different/challenging conditions (as a solo paddler), so I must say that the wind was our friend on paddling days, but was sometimes a bit of a challenge on the days selected for layovers. So fishing layovers were often set up to paddle west early in the day so we wouldn't be paddling into a stiff wind on our return to camp. This was a very good choice on many of those days.

dd"

Thanks, dd, that was helpful info!

Dave

For what it's worth, my mom is 92 and she only gave up her solo canoe a year ago. She decided she shouldn't paddle alone anymore. That being said, she's moved to a new location in MA and has already met up with a new group of folks. So far she's been able to paddle the Ipswich River near where she lives so, in my limited opinion, paddling late in life is all based on your own personal desires & health. As for myself, I'm 63, had a total knee replacement 7 years ago (after 6 previous surgeries to keep it operational) and I paddle whenever I can. Add to that my other outdoor activities and I guess you can just say it's my way of life. Nothing better than being out paddling; unless of course it's winter and then I'll get out my xc skis or snowshoes.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

I'm 70 and have pretty much given up on portages, preferring to stay on the EP lake. I go to Sawbill fairly regularly and do make the portage to Alton occasionally. I will aslo stay at Sawbill campground and do day trips. Paddling does not bother me but portages are tougher now. The last big one I did was from Burntside to Crab. That one pretty much did me in. I noted that paddling doesn't wear me out much, but every time I go to the St. Croix river, the current seems a little faster when going upstream :)

This is a great thread, great read. Like a fishing guide told me once on a good fishing day, getting old is not for the weak. Party on...

quote scat: "This is a great thread, great read. Like a fishing guide told me once on a good fishing day, getting old is not for the weak. Party on..."

Bette Davis said something similar: "Old age isn't for sissies."

keep on pedaling

quote Frenchy19: "My kids can portage me when I hit that age. "

+1 My boys are well aware that I expect them to haul my old butt into the woods after I'm too old to carry my fair share. I did that for them when they were little. The boys are teens now. On our last trip I carried the canoe, but no pack and we single portaged the whole way. It was great.
I'm 46 and still running marathons, but a slippery rock or unseen patch of ice can change things quickly, especially when reflexes are a little slower and ligaments and tendons are not as pliable as they once were.

If I'm not paddling and portaging when I'm 80, I'll be pissed.

I'll give up the BWCA when they pry my cold bloody fingers from my paddle...

I am 50 and really have no plans to stop tripping at this point. Is it legal to strap portage wheels to your ankles so someone can wheel me across?

quote IceColdGold: "I am 50 and really have no plans to stop tripping at this point. Is it legal to strap portage wheels to your ankles so someone can wheel me across? "

Your just a young pup still.

quote IceColdGold: "I am 50 and really have no plans to stop tripping at this point. Is it legal to strap portage wheels to your ankles so someone can wheel me across? "

I've got a pair of off-road rollerblades with 6" wheels and inflatable tires. Maybe you could use those.

As for the actual topic. I'm 57 but have been through so much with my lymphoma that I try not to look too far into the future. It's actually been since 2012 since it worked out for me to take a trip. Most of the summers have been spent in treatment. This year almost worked out but too tired to deal with a trip. Plus, I lost enough muscle over the last few years that a long day with portaging would wear me out. We've been to our cabin once and were hoping to get back there early in September but that's been delayed as one of my doctors wants me close by for a few weeks. Hopefully, we'll get back up there and take some day trips into the BW. I really want to do a long day trip around Lake 1. We sometimes start there but always just blast through enroute to somewhere else.

And there are starting to be some hints that my health will get back on a good path. If so, maybe next year will be the time for another trip. That gives me some time to rebuild that muscle.

How much longer will I paddle and portage? Hopefully, a long time. If not, I'll keep finding ways to enjoy life.

I keep telling myself "Maybe 10 more years." Started that 10 years ago at 55. I exercise a lot just so I can enjoy the trips. Love and hate the " stair machines" but feel they do best at keeping me in portage shape. Spartan 2 mentioned getting out of the canoe and that is what can end your tripping days. I am thankful to have painfree knees and do a lot of knee specific exercises to keep them strong. IMO year round diet and exercise are how I can keep not just going but enjoying the total canoeing package.

I think one of the biggest things you got to do is change your food intake. Your system needs a different blend to get ultimate energy.

That is my biggest fault,I have not done that and have times my energy level isn't what it should be.
I got to put put better octane in my tank. The old saying you are what you eat.

I'm almost 65 and started paddling 15 years ago. I know its a little harder and I'm a little slower on a portage, but hope I can go another 15 years somehow. Plan to try to through hike AT in 3 or 4 years - and that will be much more difficult than canoe country trips I think. Kind of hope I can do another Philmont trek but may be too slow for Scouts.

Kind of an update on my thing. When I wrote that above I was going to a neurosurgeon. He put me in a neck brace for twelve weeks. I have just under eleven to go, but in the short time I've worn it I've got better movement then months of physical therapy. Headaches are there but not as bad. I could be paddling folks... I'm getting pumped!

One of my paddling partners tore his Achilles tendon two years ago and could no longer go. We had been paddling together for 20 years. At the time of his injury he was 87. He was inured while working out on a treadmill.

While I was at the Prairie Portage ranger station about a week ago, I overheard a conversation between one ranger and another customer. The ranger was talking about the average age of Quetico trippers increasing and said that he saw a 90-year-old in one group!

quote Ausable: "While I was at the Prairie Portage ranger station about a week ago, I overheard a conversation between one ranger and another customer. The ranger was talking about the average age of Quetico trippers increasing and said that he saw a 90-year-old in one group!"

Changing times,I wonder how much of it is our fault? Meaning did manny people leave young people behind or point them to other activities instead of the outdoors?

Also will this be temporary? National parks attendance and State parks were declining in visits. This year most parks attendance is booming with double digit growth.

My favorite Ortho surgeon has me on a walking program. It is great - I hope to make it another 10 years. to at least 75.

I'm happy that I was introduced to the BWCA at a young age and since then have truly come to realize that wilderness tripping is my absolute favorite thing to do. I've graduated from short summer trips to extended Provincial Park and winter camping trips. I spend most of my vacation time running around the woods somewhere. I try to stick to a regular exercise routine and maintain an overall balanced diet- I'm young still but know the years will fly by. So, hopefully I'm going strong into my 80s!

Tripping into our 80's is entirely possible according to Jill and Bob from Boulder Colorado whom I spoke with on Saganaga Lake this week. He is 81 and she is in her 70's. They don't do long portages anymore but they are spending over two weeks in the BWCA.

I didn't ask them their secret but they recommended putting a rudder on the canoe to compensate for a weaker bow paddler. Maybe that's it. Verlen Kruger advised them to do this and they bought the rudder from him personally as well as a canoe. They had amazing stories of paddling whitewater in Canada during the summers and hiking the Southwest in the winter, most of which began after retirement. They said they are former canoe racers and helped create whitewater parks in CO. Their gear was vintage and reminded me of the stuff Calvin Rustrum recommended. I like the knife on her PFD, his LL Bean boots and the canvas cover with stick tent poles. Their canoe has faded from the original cinnamon color but their passion and agility sure hasn't. He hopped right out of the canoe onto the slippery rocks and looks forward to more trips.

The next day the temperature dropped into the low 30's, the wind picked up and big snowflakes fell but they had enjoyed blue bird weather prior to that.

I wish I could have chatted with them more but the wind was picking up and they wanted to camp on the west end of the lake. I am going to e-mail them these photos so maybe I can get advice on tripping longevity as I approach 60 next year. I guess I could begin by turning off the TV and getting out of the La-Z-boy chair more often.