I’ll be completing my thousand mile journey by climbing Mt. Whitney, the curved mountain in the background and the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. I’ve climbed it many times. Here I was wrapping up a 360 mile backpack trip to celebrate my 60th birthday. Will I be looking as spunky after a thousand miles at 75?
Expect some changes in my blog. I am gearing up for a thousand-mile backpack trip this summer starting on June 17, 58 days from now. I’ll be travelling from Mt. Ashland, a few miles from our home and following the Pacific Crest Trail south to Mt. Whitney through the Siskiyou, Marble, Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountains. With mountains to climb, rivers to cross, wild animals to confront, swarming insects to avoid, and bad weather to face— not to mention the challenge of backpacking 1,000 miles— there will be plenty of adventures along the way. And there will be lots of photographs. Much of the country I will be backpacking through is drop-dead gorgeous.
My journey will take me through a variety of terrains, including Yosemite National Park.
I estimate the total trip will take about three months, including breaks. It’s my intention to blog about the journey along the way. Peggy will be backpacking part of the trip with me, but mainly she will be doing back-up, meeting me at places where the trail crosses the road. When we have cell phone service, I’ll have Internet. I am excited about sharing the journey with you. Once the adventure gets underway, I’d appreciate your sharing a post or a link with your followers. I figure the more people hiking along with me, the merrier! I’d like a few thousand beside me when I encounter my first bear!
Yosemite is black bear country. I once woke up with one standing on top of me. At 75, I might have a heart attack! 🙂
Not many people go out for a thousand-mile backpacking trip. And the number of 75-year-olds who do it are far fewer, maybe a handful. But I am no stranger to long distance adventures and this year marks my 50th year of backpacking. I think of the journey as a celebration of doing what I love to do, and a statement that age isn’t necessarily a detriment to having grand adventures.
Having said that, I realize I am 75 (grin). I’ll be seeing my doctor before I go. And Peggy and I are doing a 40-mile conditioning backpack trip along the Rogue River in four weeks. That, along with the first 60-mile section of the trail, will give me a hundred miles. The way I think is that if I can do a hundred miles, I can do a thousand! If not… well there are always other adventures.
There is a ton of preparation that needs to be done in getting ready for the trek, in addition to conditioning. I’ve started by putting my gear together. I’ll be traveling ultra-light, using the modern terminology. Peggy turns white and checks the budget each time I head out to REI. My new tent, backpack, sleeping bag, and mattress weigh seven pounds, which is what my old backpack alone weighed. I am hoping to keep all of my gear to under 15. With food for a week, this should keep my total weight to 30 pounds max.
The route, food considerations, resupply points and permits all need to be planned out and reviewed. There will be less time for my blog over the next couple of months. I will be limited in the number of posts I can put up and the number of posts I can read. My apologies in advance. But I will do what I can! And I will put up a few posts on my preparation efforts, including the backpacking trip along the Rogue River.
The beginning of my journey will take me around the edge of the Red Butte Wilderness, which includes the Red Butte Mountains seen here from our deck. Thunderstorms are often a challenge when hiking through the various mountain ranges of California in the summer.
WEDNESDAY’S POST: I wrap up the Alaska Adventure with more photos from Kodiak.
FRIDAY’S POST: It’s ground zero in MisAdventures with Freshmen PE Dance Class!
MONDAY’S POST: A look at today’s ultralight backpacking equipment.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Good luck Curt! We’ll surely share your adventure with our followers.
Thanks, AC. Sharing will be very much appreciated. It means a lot to me. –Curt
What a fantastic adventure. Are you aware of Brad McCartney’s blog BikeHikeSafari. He’s done the Pacific Coast Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail. Lots of good info on his blog.
Knowing how you love adventures, Peggy, thanks! I’ll check out Brad’s blog. –Curt
Wow, Curt. you are amazing. I admire you. Be safe and smart keep us posted as you can, but most of all; live in the moment and enjoy it. What a grand trip. Cheers friend
First, thanks Kelly! It will be an adventure; the type I love. My hopes are to post regularly, hopefully close to once a week. Second, “live in the moment,” probably the best advice I’ll get. 🙂 Each day, each hour will be special. –Curt
Agreed. 🙂
You go, Dude!! May your good times be the best and your bad times be not all that bad. 🙂
Thank you Craig! I know I will have a lot of good times. It’s impossible not to on such a journey. As for my bad times, may they just bad enough to make good stories. 🙂 –Curt
what a awesome adventure. Very impressive and I look forward to seeing the pictures and tales from your journey!
Thanks Tam. I’ve hiked through most of this country at one time or the other. And it is some of the most beautiful in the world. There should be lots of tales— and photos. –Curt
Quite an undertaking but you do have a wonderful sense of adventure.
Adventures have been an important part of my life, Lulu. I am just thankful that I can contemplate such an adventure now, and hopefully pull it off. Thank you. –Curt
Curt, now I admire you even more. You look like a 50-year old and your zest for life and adventure is admirable.
Beautiful pics, as always.
“You look like a 50-year old.” (grin) You sure know how to get to a 75-year-old’s heart Bojana. I am really curious what I will look like after a thousand miles. Skinny I can pretty much guarantee. Thanks a lot. Appreciated. –Curt
Curt, you really are only as old as you feel. You’re the best proof for it. Today’s 20-year-olds don’t have such adventurous spirit. So, no grin. A wide smile instead.
Looking forward to hearing your story after a 1000m.
Wowsa, how exciting. This is really cool. No doubt it will be a challenge, but a beautiful and fascinating one for sure. Document well; maybe you’ll be the next Cheryl Strayed and get a bestselling book out of the journey!
A book, a movie, hey why not! (Laughing) But I do intend to write a book about the experience, Carrie. I’ve been working on my agent letter. And I won’t hesitate to self-public otherwise. With or without, however, the bottom line is the experience. Few things make me happier (Peggy, for example 🙂 ), than hiking down a wilderness trail. I am not hiking out with Cheryl’s, trauma, but I have a world of more experience. I often cringed when I read about her trials on the trail. –Curt
Yes, she wasn’t the most prepared, especially at first. Cringeworthy indeed.
Thanks for the invite Curt, I’ll be there!
Wouldn’t think of leaving without you, Andrew. I’ve even invited a bear or two to stop by and say hi to you. 🙂 –Curt
Wow- what an endeavor! Best wishes on your preparations, and I can’t wait to hear your stories from the trek 🙂
Thanks, Anne Clare. And there should be enough stories to fill a book (grin). They, along with photographs will certainly fill many blogs. –Curt
2 milestones this year for you, and a wonderful way to celebrate them. Wishing you a smooth hike, and great weather!! Looking forward to hear from you! All the best Curt!
Much appreciated, Christie! It’s an ideal opportunity for someone who loves the wilderness. I’ll be hiking through some of my all-time favorite country plus seeing some new places I’ve never wandered. I suspect that there will be numerous photos waiting to be taken and stories waiting to be told. –Curt
I’m out of breath just reading about all that hiking!! But I know you’ll do great, give us a bunch of terrific photos and posts and we’ll be thrilled to know you’re still the most fit 75 year old we’ll ever know!!
Thanks, G. A lot. Color me nervous and excited. I’ve always loved challenges. Certainly as we grow older, our bodies start to tell us about it. But I think I can slip another grand adventure in. 🙂 –Curt
You’ll do great – it’s not in your nature to be otherwise!
WOW! How exciting. We should have a welcome bsck party for you at Whitney portal.
Now you are talking Cindy! What fun that would be. I’ve had a few celebration dinners in Lone Pine over they years as I have come off of the mountain, but this one will be different! –Curt
Wow wow wow! You are unstoppable! I wish you all the best for your trip and look forward to reading about it.
Alison
Thanks, Alison. One step at a time, as they say. 🙂 –Curt
!!!!!! AMAZING! I can’t WAIT to see pictures and hear updates!
Thanks so much, M.B. I’m excited. Now, if my body has as much sense of humor as my mind. 🙂 –Curt
I bow! And I applaud. Age is only a number and yet…
You’re awesome and you can do it. I will definitely cheer you up. This landscape is so gorgeous your pics will be terrific. Good luck as you train, Curt.
You look after yourself, Curt, and stay away from those bears. I am sure you are in for some exiting times. We, of course will share your adventures of overcoming nail-biting dangers, cowering behind the safety of our computer.
A thousand miles! Wow. That will surely be long 3 months’ journey. We will surely be with you (in spirit) throughout.
Great! I will be glad to have you along… Curt
In mind! We’ll be definitely with you in our minds!
Yes, in mind. 🙂 🙂
AMAZING! I’m in awe!! You’re proof that chronological age is just that, a number. And you give us massive impetus to get off our bums!! 😝
It’s just putting one foot ahead of the other, FeyGirl. Admittedly, it will be a bit of work. 🙂 But with lots of rewards as well as challenges. Thanks! –Curt
Wishing you joy and good luck (and no bears using you for a perch!) You’ll be starting out in my neck of the woods (so to speak). I seen quite a few bits of your planned hike and there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s drop-dead gorgeous.
Adding wishes for happy trails!
Thanks, Gunta, much. I’ve hiked most of it over the years as well. Which parts have you hiked? –Curt
Well shoot, you WOULD ask it that way! 😀 I have to admit to being a bit of a chicken to do much hiking by my lonesome. I did hike and explore parts of the El Dorado forest, below Lake Tahoe in the 70s when I had my husky with me. Since then a shattered ankle kept it to shorter day hikes into the Mt Whitney area and Yosemite meadows and other places you didn’t mention. Anxiously waiting to tag along on your adventure!
yes!!! just met a Dutch couple who are 78 & 80 and have started to hike the Canary islands… bonne chance, you’ll make it, young man! 🙂
Thanks, Melanie. Hard to keep us old wanderers down! 🙂 –Curt
You are one amazing hiker! So glad you are doing this, and I hope it’s not your undoing. Peggy, too, is amazing, and I suspect she may wear down more quickly than you do. But here’s hoping you finish strong and take pics to share all along the journey. (Please don’t tell me you’ll miss Burning Man because you’ll be hiking.) Best wishes for much success in planning and preparing.
Doubt it will be my undoing. 🙂 There are always escape options, if need be. Peggy will only be doing sections. Most of the time she will be meeting me at trailheads for resupply and a bit of R&R. I’ve been backpacking for 50 years and led groups for 30. Also, I went out several times this past year. I think I can do it… 🙂 –Curt
Wait a minute. What’s wrong with me. I forgot to invite you to tackle the Appalachian Trail in my neck of the woods. Downright inhospitable of me.
Thanks. 🙂 I’ve done bits of it over the years, Rusha. Way back in 1976 I spent some time hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine. I remember seven days of rain and a ton of biting bugs. 🙂 –Curt
Curtis, This is great – I so look forward to reading your blog on this. The PCT is something I have wanted to challenge myself with ever since our friend Nicole hiked it. It is definitely on my bucket list.
I’ll do a preview for you! 🙂 Thanks, Beth. It will be great having you following along. –Curt
I’m reminded of a dive buddy who kept it going until he hit 80. You guys set the bar for the rest of us. Happy trails.
Thanks, Dave. When I led my first hundred mile backpack trek in 1974, a 70 year old man, Orvis Agee, showed up and wanted to go. My initial reaction was no, but he quickly persuaded me. He climbed Mt. Shasta regularly and had done a 50 mile trip the year before. 17 years later, at the age of 87, he did his last long distance trek with me. Talk about inspiration! I remember thinking in the beginning that I couldn’t imagine going out on one of my trips at his age— and hoped I would be able to. –Curt
Good luck, Curt. You’ve set yourself a remarkable goal and a wonderful adventure. Cheers! Susan
Thanks so much, Susan. it’s going to be here before I know it. Peggy and I will do a short 40 mile conditioning trip in two weeks! –Curt
Yes indeed I will get the word out about your upcoming adventure. Good to hear you are taking some test hikes. You really are living it large with this one Curt. Wishing you and Peggy the best always…isn’t life a hoot!
Thanks, JoHanna! Much appreciated. Our 40 mile conditioning trip is just around the corner. 🙂 Meanwhile, the thousand foot hill right behind our house is calling! –Curt
I am just catching up on my reading Curt. What a fantastic adventure you are planning. You are an inspiration to us youngsters [at 74].
Thanks, Ray. I’ve been wanting to do this one for awhile. Decided I’d better get to it. 🙂 Seems to me at 74 that you manage to work in lots of adventures! –Curt
You’re 75??? I never would have guessed that. I hope I am still as adventurous at 75 as you are. And as brace. Go, Curt!!!
I have a hard time remembering that myself, Juliann. 🙂 Part of the secret about not being 75 is not behaving like it. It doesn’t exactly make me 20 again, but… As for the brace, thank you! –Curt
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YOU are an inspiration to me, Curt! I too am a photographer and my dream is to be doing exactly what you are. Why do you inspire me so much? Because for now my life has so many responsibilities that I must see through first and then when they are over, then me. But! I’ve been waffling about my dream due to “age”. I’m 61 years young with a long history of back problems and I “was” getting discouraged that I will not be able to see my dreams. Now however, I am more determined to keep on working out, to keep on hiking when I can and keep on staying in good health so I CAN see my dream. THANK YOU!!!! 💞🌹💞
What a nice statement, Amy. Thank you. Both Peggy and I believe strongly that growing older doesn’t mean that we stop living, that we cease to follow our dreams, or that we don’t develop new ones. This doesn’t mean that we ignore the reality of the aging process, but there are many, many ways to get out there, to enjoy the great natural beauty of our world, and to take on new challenges. Hang in there. And thanks for following along on my journey. It should be interesting! I’m sure sometimes more than I would wish. 🙂 –Curt
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