I feel your pain--both literally and figuratively! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> When I read accounts of people older than I doing through hikes of the AT & the PCT, I feel like a complete wuss. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But there is also a certain amount of freedom in knowing my limitations and I am more apt to indulge in shorter, solo hikes where I can go at my own pace and more day hikes. Last challenging hike I did, my left knee [I had the right one replaced almost two years ago] started hurting so badly on the descents that I didn't think I'd make it back. Sheer grit and a conscious effort to block out the searing pain helped me to reach my destination. Thinking my hiking days were done, I nevertheless wrapped my knee and headed out again the following week with minimal discomfort.

Kayak camping has given me a new--and far less demanding--way of exploring the backcountry and I am blessed to live where this is very possible. But I still want to backpack, too, and plan to continue on my own terms. Maybe we just need to get a bunch of us 'old folks' together for some milder excursions. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Good luck, keep us posted.