Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: old folk camping
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KarlBAndersen1 |
GraniteCliffs: "It is all about staying in good physical condition. Nothing more, nothing less. " Yep. Stay active until you can't. I'm 64 - not far behind you. I, too, just did a solo and am glad I stay active. I walk - I ride my bike - I keep my head out of the lard bucket - I do stretches and some sit ups and push ups, etc. - not every day - but often. You have to stay ahead of the monster, or he will catch you. Don't get lazy - think of the benefits. And if you sleep in a tent, get off the ground and switch to hammock camping. The amount of restful sleep you get in canoe country is priceless. I'll NEVER! sleep another night on the ground unless absolutely unavoidable. |
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mjmkjun |
jhb8426: "I'm 72. 6 or 7 years ago I developed an extreme aversion to portaging and limited my trips pretty much to Sawbill with side trips to Alton. Lately, I've been staying at the Sawbill campground with day trips on Sawbill and Alton. I still enjoy the trip. "A man's got to know his limitations."" That's pert-near the tune I'm humming now. I would add Fall Lake Campground to play with trolling motor mounted on kayak for fishing and playing around on the lake(s) wherever I can do so. I enjoy the act of paddling very much but the issue is diminished stamina. |
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SourisMan |
Now that I'm retired, and can trip in the fall, I can go places that are easier to get to, but don't have to battle the summer crowd. I always bring a Hellinox chair, and FINALLY bought a good quality inflatable sleeping mat. The better sleeping mat has made a huge difference. By the way, I was a hammock camper for years. My hammock started bothering my bum shoulder, so I headed back to a tent. I've never brought a Spot or inReach type device, but am shopping for them now. It was probably always a good idea, but more so for the 60 and 70 somethings. |
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BWPaddler |
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DrBobDg |
mastertangler: "Bob, Cliff is right. No frontpacking, very, very bad idea. You might get away with it for a while but the potential for a major crash and burn with severe consequences is greatly enhanced when you can't see where your feet are going. When King Solomon (book of proverbs) mentions watching where you walk you know it's important. Yep you are correct....If the portage is dicey then that isn't a good idea. I also use 5-6 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids to haul stuff to reduce the weight of individual bags. dr bob |
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AtwaterGA |
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GraniteCliffs |
I talked with the four guys on my return trip across the portage. If memory serves they were all from Florida and on their annual adventure trip. They had come from the top of the Quetico and were headed to the border at Prairie Portage. They finally offered up the fact that they were in their late 70's and one guy was into his 80's! They did not seem to think much about their age but I was truly impressed and very inspired. |
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Dave Wennlund (@kickapooviking) |
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Pilgrimpaddler |
riverrunner: "Don't think I would still be sleeping in a tent if it wasn't for my down mat sleeping pad. My Exped Downmat was a revelation. The first time I slept on it I remember waking up after a sound sleep and thinking I was at home on my bed! Expensive at the time but worth every penny. I let my sons use the Thermarests now (and those pads still take up a lot of pack space). |
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nctry |
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nctry |
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nm1 |
A Helinox chair, of course. A hammock keeps my knees off the ground. Tents can be painful. A good snort of cognac with 3-6 baby aspirin puts me right to sleep. YMMV. |
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billconner |
yellowcanoe: "Staying in shape is sometimes hard when you have to choose what joint needs replacing next. " LOL |
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GraniteCliffs |
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analyzer |
===== This was the first time in 25 years that I didn't play on a broomball team and first time in 45 years I didn't play on a hockey team (I'm 53). After the first night of softball this spring, I was a wreck. It's as sore as I've ever been after playing softball. I'm convinced it was because I stopped playing winter sports, and hadn't used, or stretched those muscles in several months. My answer isn't to give up softball too, but rather to go back to playing winter sports. I don't think we should give up our bwca trips, but rather find additional activities to keep us in shape the rest of the year. My friends dad still plays racquet ball at 93!!!... and he still beats his son. Rumor has it Old Man Blankenburg (if you know who that was) was building his new home, off the gunflint trail, and climbing on the roof when he was 93. It CAN be done. |
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merlyn b |
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jhb8426 |
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riverrunner |
Best money I spent as far as a pad goes a very good one makes a huge difference in the morning. |
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BCA |
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johndku |
I've been taking Turmeric Curcurin supplements, (you can get them anywhere, Walmart, Walgreen's, etc. off the shelf) . They're not expensive, natural, and medical studies show they seem to relieve joint stiffness and swelling due to both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You have to take them for a few weeks before they have any effect, as it needs to build up in your system, so you'd need to be taking them prior to your next trip. |
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mastertangler |
Leisure time roll up chair with a back rest is probably as good as it gets for a canoeing chair with a backrest. Camp time carries them, they roll up fairly small and are stable and supportive, nice! I also paddle with a crazy creek canoe seat. It also has a backrest but is flexible and allows for torso rotation while still supporting your lumbar. I am not a fan of weightlifter type belt supports due to what I have read. The argument is they are counterproductive and do not allow for the muscles to strengthen in areas where the belt is used because they are not needed. I have had some lumbar issues and have found that a daily routine of core exercises is key. The other oft neglected routine is stretching. Tight hamstrings can put a lot of pressure on lumbar discs. The other really big deal is hydration. Drink tons of water. I have some joint tightness as well. I have found when I give up on eating an acidic diet, including excess coffee, my joints thank me. It is surprising how much of what we eat has to do with it. |
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billconner |
No idea how long I can keep it up. I hope to mid 70s - 8-10 years. I'll see. |
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mastertangler |
You have a couple of options. One is just do another trip. The other is do what I do and get a couple of Watershed duffels. Transfer some of the weight off your back to your arms. Not so bad then. Carrying two is best and get them equal weight to keep balance. You will also find them very agreeable for managing weight in the canoe as they are easily shifted around. And of course the organizational aspect is superb. One duffel has all my cook gear.......another might contain all my clothing. Well constructed, completely waterproof and they carry superbly ( they don't hang low and bang your knees). |
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nctry |
So conditioning is big, health issues can screw up our plans at anytime. I may never get to go on a my type of trip again... But I plan to get out there somewhere when I can. I'll just have to be more smart and aware of what I can and can't do. |
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boonie |
Last year was my first trip after the heart attack and I did not do as well portaging. In the past I have not avoided that. I plan to try to be in better shape, but not sure what I'll be able to do portaging. |
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DrBobDerrig |
I took way too big a Duluth pack a couple years ago trying to keep up with the youngers in our group. I was seriously hurting for weeks. Even though Cliff J says no I would rather have 2 lighter packs one in front and one in back rather than struggle with one heavy beast. If the portage gets dicey then I can come back for the front pack... Canoe seat with backrest and those chairs are awesome. It isn't supposed to be a death march anyway. dr bob |
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bwcadan |
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MHS67 |
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yogi59weedr |
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Bannock |
My toughest thing is getting upright out of the tent. Having something to help me stand is usefull. This can be a chair or a tree of something else close to the tent door to aid me in standing up. Also, my solo trips go better if someone goes with me. Two people soloing together makes things easier, and puts my wife's mind at ease. ? |
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merlyn |
Hope to hear a lot of good advice. Thanks, Merlyn PS: I thought of a sexy 25 year old to fetch and carry too. Wife said no. |
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bhouse46 |
Conditioning can not be minimized. Picking up some things at REI today their board advised 12 weeks of training before a backpacking trip. And learn some good stretches and loosen up in the evening. A walk down to the shoreline and doing some stretches can be a pleasant break and usually reduces stiffness. |
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mjmkjun |
Always sore as hell few hours after long portage. I am 68 too. I searched for the smallest profile weightlifters belt and wear on portages to avoid pulling a back muscle. No pulled or sprained muscles so far. I think it has merit. When tired, I get clumsy picking up those backpacks. Happy travels. |
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GraniteCliffs |
It is all about staying in good physical condition. Nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes things happen and staying fit is no longer possible. But most of the time simply making the decision to be fit at any age is the best answer. I am 67 and work hard at being ready to go the several trips I take every year. Three days a week of hard cardio workouts, three days of lifting and two yoga classes a week. I follow that schedule pretty much year round but at this time of year I amp things up a bit by pushing harder and longer. I really think the yoga is beneficial. One other thought I have is that when I solo I find myself going slower both paddling and portaging but spending more total time traveling each day. The tortoise and the hare theory I guess. Like Neil says "Its better to burn out than to fade away.!" |
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GraniteCliffs |
The next thread to pop up is "Dead and Down!" Yikes. |
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quark2222 |
GraniteCliffs: "So the heading of this thread is "Old folk camping." Good catch on the "Dead and Down". Pretty funny. Dazed and Confused would have worked as well. Tomster |
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pswith5 |
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butthead |
butthead |
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billconner |
I'm sure it will be a fleeting inconvenience to one or several people but I plan to drop dead in wilderness or literalky and hopefully just nit wake up some morning under cancas. (Canvas sounds so much better in this context than silnylon.) |
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BWPaddler |
Then again, on my last trip (a very quick solo in May), I didn't even bring a stove or a lighter or any of my kitchen gear. Just a small amount of food I could eat by hand, and it was FINE. Maybe I will do more with less, lol. |
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missmolly |
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Zulu |
First I wear a t-shirt from Branson, MO, Dollywood or something that says “Sexy Grandpa” or “I’m spending my kids inheritance”. Then I sit at the portage with my gear unloaded sipping on a bottle of Ensure and wait. When I see young people coming toward me on the portage I spring into action. I begin by holding my breath until my face turns red. Then I pretend to check my pulse and breath hard. If it’s hot I’ve already wet my face and hair with lake water. If the act is good people will stop and offer to take my packs across the portage for me. I always respond with “Thank you for the offer but No thanks. I’m OK. I’m just waiting for my Testosterone Booster to kick in”. When they insist on helping I may say “Are you sure you want to? I’ve got a liter of prune juice plus a CPAP and car battery in those packs”. They almost always agree and I follow them down the trail carringing only the canoe. On the other end I thank them profusely and offer them a fun size Snickers bar and promise to pass on the kindness. I believe they get more out of the good deed than I do. I’ve found I just need to except and adapt to the changes old age brings. |
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ozarkpaddler |
GraniteCliffs: "So the heading of this thread is "Old folk camping." Funny (LOL)! |
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ozarkpaddler |
Zulu: "I’ve been around the sun 61 times and I too find canoe trips and portaging much more difficult. Enthusiasm causes me to overdo it the first day and then I’m exhausted the whole next day. It could be beta-blockers, belly fat or being lazy and out of shape but I just except it and have thought of a remedy that seems to work. I just spit coffee all over laughing (LOL) |
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Spartan2 |
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GraniteCliffs |
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A1t2o |
For in camp, think about what the hardest and most draining activities are for you and try to cut them down. If pumping water is draining then use a gravity filter or a bottle with a built in filter. If cutting wood is difficult then get a better saw. If hanging the bear bag is draining you then use a bear barrel and stash it. Work smarter, not harder. Portages can be tough. Cut down on weight and consider triple portaging it. Portages are probably the hardest part but there isn't much you can do to make the terrain easier, just how you cross it. The biggest thing would be recovery and that means sleeping. Hammock or nice sleeping pad, either way you need a good night's sleep. Get something weight efficient and warm. Whatever it takes to make yourself comfortable, do it. If you don't sleep well you won't feel well on the trip. |
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chessie |
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nctry |
chessie: "I appreciate some of the comments re: staying in shape. However, some conditions persist regardless -- s/as arthritis, back issues, etc. Thus, I/we do what we can to keep pack weight down. On recent trip, 2 people with 3 packs, none over 40 #. The Nemo Cosmo pad has been the best for my bad back. Ibuprofen is essential. Learning what motions are the highest risk -- s/as bending AND twisting, then avoiding. This means I no longer carry the tandem canoe, which I always used to do … bummer, but it is risk management. We did not basecamp on recent trip, but did very short paddle days -- and accepting that we aren't going to cover the ground we did in past. We still saw amazing country. Acceptance of limitations is a big challenge, but with it comes more realistic behaviors. On a backpacking trip this past fall, I bought, and RELIED on lightweight (Black Diamond) trekking poles - they saved me! I moved slow, but still got from point A to point B. Some mornings started in tears, but all in all a great trip (Grand Canyon). As a rheumatologist told me: "do what you can, while you can." It may not be pretty, but still at it! " THIS was a great post! It really put an exclemation mark on how I feel and hear from others these days. Do what you can while you can. Until your in that phase of your life you really don't grasp it. Seeing people go much further in age doing this stuff doesn't mean you will be able to. |
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billconner |
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yellowcanoe |
Slow and steady does still work. We are 75 and going on a ten day canoe trip soon.. Of course we have decided that when car camping we'd rather have an RV. We love portageless big water trips of course. Staying in shape is sometimes hard when you have to choose what joint needs replacing next. I know that I won't be going back to Temagami cause some of the ports are straight up over boulders that require a three foot step up. Keep on canoeing. You don't know when your last trip will be. I just lost three canoe friends in six weeks.. All quite unexpected. |