I may see you on the trail! I am just a year younger than you, live in MN and will be doing a few trips to the SHT this summer also. I did a couple of sections last year and had a great time. Do you know what sections you plan to do?

I journal all of my trip reports online with notes, pics and GPS coords. PM me if interested and I'll send a link.(not sure what the rules are here about links to external sites...)

Like many have said, getting my pack weight down had allowed me to start backpacking again. I also thought my trail days were over. I remember carrying a 70 lb pack when I was a kid. That would kill me now. My base weight is down to 13 pounds!!

Take care.