Seeing threads about folks tripping into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s is really inspiring.

For those of you that are 60+ and have those trips under your belt, what have you changed about your tripping style?

How have you changed your approach or your thinking about canoeing in BWCA or Quetico and beyond compared to your younger self on trips?

What's the key to making decades of trips into 60+ happen?

I started focusing on light weight equipment, bringing less, and started single portaging on solo trips.

Instead of cutting down on weight, I actually added more . As I got older, I decided I want to be comfortable. I take everything but the kitchen sink, including a screen house. I usually triple portage nowadays. I still desire to get away from the crowds, so I still go pretty far back in the bush. I never get in a hurry,so it takes me a lot longer to reach my destinations, but that’s ok!

walllee: "Instead of cutting down on weight, I actually added more . As I got older, I decided I want to be comfortable. I take everything but the kitchen sink, including a screen house. I usually triple portage nowadays. I still desire to get away from the crowds, so I still go pretty far back in the bush. I never get in a hurry,so it takes me a lot longer to reach my destinations, but that’s ok!"

We switched from single portaging to double and now we base camp. We do day trips to other lakes that we want to fish but it's always nice to come back to camp already set and waiting for us. We have added a few more creature comforts to our base camp but don't have a screen house yet.

Our canoes have transitioned from aluminum to fiberglass to Kevlar. Our paddles transitioned from wood to carbon. Our tent transformed from Eureka! Timberline four-person to Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3. Sleeping bags are now down, pads are now insulated inflatables. We're comfortable, but not overloaded. We don't fish. Evolutions in gear and food (we now home-dehydrate most of our meals) have resulted in a total portage load that's less than 125 pounds for a 10-day trip, allowing us to continue to single-walk portages as 75-year-olds. Our trips focus on new lakes and loops, typically in the 100+ mile range.

TZ

I finally went with a 24# skin on frame solo canoe and soft yoke pads. I still double portage however.

Base camping only and no portages anymore but I enjoy it as much as I ever did. I am also very careful trying to avoid falling.

I've gone to using ultralight gear and canoe. Still single portage except this summer. With my wife along I'll have to double portage. Our tandem is heavier than my Blackwater solo.

Mostly solos with some long trips until at 72 I pushed too hard on a solo to Kawnippi resulting in stress injuries with major loss of strength in shoulders and arms. Short trips with one or two portages and camping at Sawbill with mixed day trips and hiking and some years lost to heart issues, etc. I am 79 now and have been training for a loop from Birch, Knife, Kekekabic, Ima and exit from Ensign. I really crave a BWCA blueberry pancake. It looks very likely at this point. I have more strength than the past few years and it feels great!
Mostly I carry better gear and go slower and have found I enjoy tripping more when I slowed down.

In the early days, light packing was priority. Now, comfort is the focus. In early days, we sat on logs around the firepit.....now, camp chairs and a camp table. Still only have to double portage.....but creature comforts rule the day. Used to sleep on tent floor/ground....now, air mattresses....used to pump water a few times a day....now, gravity bag with flushable filters.....used to have rain ponchos and ride out rain events under a tree....now, 10x14' rain fly.....Funny how things change!

For me, it's mainly about keeping reasonably fit and active. I also am a bit more careful to avoid injuries. I've never packed heavier than what was required for the length of trip, and still generally single-portage when possible. I'll be 65 soon, but greatly admire the folks canoe tripping into their seventies and beyond...

arctic: "For me, it's mainly about keeping reasonably fit and active. I also am a bit more careful to avoid injuries. I've never packed heavier than what was required for the length of trip, and still generally single-portage when possible. I'll be 65 soon, but greatly admire the folks canoe tripping into their seventies and beyond..."

Forgot about our efforts at keeping fit. We joined a gym after our 2023 trip with a focus on upper body strength. Even took a video of shouldering the canoe and asked a trainer for help with strength training for that specific task. We hike weekly, too.

TZ

I try to stay in shape. At 63 it's definitely harder. My son is 28 and his friends carry the heavy stuff.

We actually go on longer trips now, and move more rather than base camp. Mostly because we are more experienced than we used to be.

More freeze dried meals makes for lighter packing. We eat more fish, so less food in general.

Try to savor more now that I'm closer to the end than the beginning--that goes for just about everything.

I have a year-old grandchild now. What would it be like to trip with him? I hope to find out.

When she was in her upper 60's, my wife said she didn't feel safe on the portage from Hudson to Insula so we shortened our trip and base camped on Hudson. This year as she turns 74, we plan to only go to Lake Three or Four with our nephew and his buddy. Then just the two of us will explore Isabella lake for a few days.

The major changes for me are base camping with day trips rather then loops, using a trekking pole while portaging my main pack and picking routes with fewer portages. My gear is like 10 years ago "light weight" not up to current standards so I continue to double carry.
Camp chair, gas stove, 2 person tent for just me, Much Much better sleeping bag and mats (may go to light weight cot) Meals are to be enjoyed not just fuel, so I put more time and effort into them.
I don't have a set plan anymore, I don't feel pressured to accomplish something, just live in the moment.

At 71 years old and having CLL I am going trips with easy portages. At the most I might go in to Knife Lake .
I use a Kayak helmet on the portages and trekking poles. A chair is a necessity and use a Nemo’s air mattress.
My pack weight can’t be more than 35# and I double or triple portage, I am the slow guy on the portage. My solo canoes need to be under 40# and my tandems less than 50#.
But with cancer I am still going, maybe closer and closer to the entry.
Carl

Just going at it not as hard as I used to. No more than 10 miles/day paddling (used to be 15-20) avoid portages over 100 rods. Bring more stuff to stay more comfortable such as chairs--both for in camp and in the canoe. Perhaps the biggest game changeer was a compact cot to sleep on in the tent. Getting up off of the ground even just 6 inches was a big game-changer for me.

This is my approach too. I’m enjoying every minute. Muscle soreness at my age is directly proportional to pack weight. Triple portaging allows me to spread the weight out into 3 packs, which also makes for matter trimming on the water. I do not skimp on wine or spirits which is heavy.

Rigging a stabilizer line for portages has done wonders for trapezius muscles that tire easily.

In my tent, a usb powered UL fan gives me a better night’s sleep on hot nights. A quick midnight swim also helps.

I’ve just up leveled my summer water shoes from Astral Brewers to Rasslers for better grip, stability and coverage. My skin is thinner now and scrapes are more painful. Best to avoid them when I can.

As for recovery, the added weight of a hammock for napping is well worth it. And yes, I tried hammock camping in BWCA and abandoned it because of splatter during high intensity rainstorms. No manner of tarping solved the problem. Whereas, I stay bone dry in my tent.

I carry fewer clothes now. I know exactly what I need, u’. Good at doing laundry in camp now, and there isn’t anything I don’t wear or use every day.

I'm not as dedicated to canoe trips inside the BWCA. I've explored more of the BWCA-adjacent lakes, Voyageur's, and always squeeze in a Nancy Lakes paddle when I'm in Alaska. It's all beautiful.

If possible, I use a tent that does not make me crawl into it. Nemo Switch is my current solo tent, lol. And YES to full size camp chair - ahhhhhhh!

I plan for longer trips since I have the time (68, retired). Most of my paddling is in northern Canada, and I start grumbling if the trip is only 30 days. My last 6 week trip was too short. I still try to get to Quetico for a fall solo trip of a couple of weeks. I worry a bit more, mostly "how long can I keep doing this", but that hasn't changed anything except keep going till you can't.

How heavy is your food bag for 6 weeks out?

MReid: "I plan for longer trips since I have the time (68, retired). Most of my paddling is in northern Canada, and I start grumbling if the trip is only 30 days. My last 6 week trip was too short. I still try to get to Quetico for a fall solo trip of a couple of weeks. I worry a bit more, mostly "how long can I keep doing this", but that hasn't changed anything except keep going till you can't."

If you don’t mind the weight, maybe try to get your hands on one of my favorite tents, the Optic 2.5 by Mountain Hardware. Sadly, no longer made. It has a tall entry door, a 180 view, two very decent vestibules, and it is bomber. Too heavy for my summer trips but I have taken it on shorter fall trips.

BWPaddler: "I'm not as dedicated to canoe trips inside the BWCA. I've explored more of the BWCA-adjacent lakes, Voyageur's, and always squeeze in a Nancy Lakes paddle when I'm in Alaska. It's all beautiful.


If possible, I use a tent that does not make me crawl into it. Nemo Switch is my current solo tent, lol. And YES to full size camp chair - ahhhhhhh!"

LaVirginienne: "How heavy is your food bag for 6 weeks out? "

72-82 pounds. We do three trips per portage. I probably carry a bit less food than everybody else (no extra stuff like bannock fixings).

LaVirginienne: "If you don’t mind the weight, maybe try to get your hands on one of my favorite tents, the Optic 2.5 by Mountain Hardware. Sadly, no longer made. It has a tall entry door, a 180 view, two very decent vestibules, and it is bomber. Too heavy for my summer trips but I have taken it on shorter fall trips.

BWPaddler: "I'm not as dedicated to canoe trips inside the BWCA. I've explored more of the BWCA-adjacent lakes, Voyageur's, and always squeeze in a Nancy Lakes paddle when I'm in Alaska. It's all beautiful.



If possible, I use a tent that does not make me crawl into it. Nemo Switch is my current solo tent, lol. And YES to full size camp chair - ahhhhhhh!"

"

Thanks for the idea - I will check it out.