tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212444187970080061.post3069730441599749178..comments2024-03-08T15:13:55.360-08:00Comments on The Traveling Mandolin: PCT 2014, Day 142: Snoqualmie PassUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212444187970080061.post-71287982720889828242015-10-28T10:07:33.715-07:002015-10-28T10:07:33.715-07:00Anonymous, thanks for taking the time to point thi...Anonymous, thanks for taking the time to point this out. As you may have guessed, it had never occurred to me that these comments could be condescending in any way. I certainly didn't intend for them to be offensive or to discriminate against anyone, although I can understand why you take it that way. <br /><br />There are a couple reasons that hikers of late middle age (60s and 70s) impress me so much, and why I take special note of them. (These reasons will probably confirm your thesis that I'm ignorant, but here goes.)<br /><br />1. In all my years of hiking in Missouri, I have seen people of all shapes and sizes out hiking the trail, and many ages too— but never, as far as I can remember, anyone who appeared to be more than 50 or 60 years old. I'm not sure if it's just the Midwest culture or if I tend to hike at different times than older people would, but it's just not something I've ever seen. Thus, when I was on trail and saw a gray-haired person miles from the nearest road, it really stuck with me.<br /><br />2. Everyone in my family and most people in my group of friends, even those who were very active in their 30s and 40s, have slowed down or become incapable of hiking very far once they reach their 50s and 60s. For instance, my dad can barely walk a couple miles on flat ground because he has very bad joints, and my mom can't walk much farther because of a medical condition she developed in her late 40s. All four of my grandparents (and grandparents-in-law) were hobbled by various ailments by the time they were in their early 60s. <br /><br />So, when I see a woman my grandmother's age hiking a trail that I, with my young limbs and young joints, am struggling to hike, it really impresses me— because it's something outside of my experience. But a woman hiking was outside the firefighters' experience, too, so I guess this is all just confirming what you've said. ;)<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for helping me think about a different perspective. <br /><br />With respect,<br />Lisa<br />Lisa Straderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13356754383484813597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212444187970080061.post-43379662450966906882015-10-26T11:23:27.740-07:002015-10-26T11:23:27.740-07:00I'm sorry if this is taken the wrong way. I j...I'm sorry if this is taken the wrong way. I just want to point out that "middle-aged" or "old" people are not any less able than any other group you might ignorantly (and innocently) discriminate against...I like this blog but every time you mention how amazing it is for middle-aged people to hike, it's like a stab in the eye--probably just as you felt when those firefighters were amazed that a woman could hike the trail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1212444187970080061.post-6581575278730316292015-10-01T14:05:30.492-07:002015-10-01T14:05:30.492-07:00That would've been horrible not to have found ...That would've been horrible not to have found your box, and it truly is always "the last place you look." So glad you had your re-supply. It's like every time you go to the grocery store and you have more good stuff to eat all at once and suddenly, you can't get enough! LOL And, your five-foot ledge on top of jagged ridges sounds pretty scary to me, but now you are old pros at this thru-hiking! I'm terribly afraid of heights! Maryellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11433358160320748083noreply@blogger.com