Great tips! As a "senoir" hiker, I'm training and preparing to hike the AT in 2026. There has been a lot of gear tweaking from trial and error. I concur about the shoes and foot care! Glad I found you in RUclips and IG!
2026 must be the year of senior hikers. 👏🏼🥾That’s my plan also. Retiring oct 2025. I hike a few days a week but not with a complete load. A few overnight trips in 2025 to put it all together. Have a great adventure. Any thoughts on the best month? I know March is busy.
Silva it's your ex sister in law a new adventure really good narrative on equipment and trail backpacking very good explanation proud of you for taking this on
I am 69 and section hike AT every year as a test to see how I am aging, going again end of March for 200 miles, could only do 11 miles/day last year. Instead of trekking poles I like a 45" hiking stick, call it my "Dog Stick" because I use it to defend against dog attacks, some dogs think I am the Postman and attack. Also use the hiking stick as a catapult to sling my rock bag over a tree limb to hang my food, gives more power and directional control. #12: I do carry Imodium AD just in case virus attack. This time I will be swapping gear between sections, during 5 day sections I will carry my 32lb 70l backpack with hammock setup. There are some 3 day sections that I bet I can do in 2 days if I swap gear to carrying an old fashion Hobo Roll (a bedroll containing torso groundsheet & pad, down blanket, polyester tarp cover, gloves, jacket), betting I can make better time with 13 pound gear including 1 pound of Walnuts for 2 days food.
11 mile days are fantastic! I hope your upcoming 200 mile section hike goes smoothly for you. Great idea to use your stick as a catapult to help hang your food. I couldn’t do only walnuts for food. Lol
Thank you for the wise tips, particularly the mention of not comparing yourself with your younger self. We all, to a greater or lessor extent, have a strong tendency to lament the loss of our abilities to the onset of age.😞
It is hard sometimes to just enjoy where you are at and not compare. I do pretty good but still fall into it every now and then. We are still getting out there and having a blast and that’s what counts even if it is not as fast as we’d like. 😊
Good advice thanks. Im 71 and do shorter multi day hikes 5 to 21days in Australia and New Zealand. Having a 'zero' makes the experience so much easier and enjoyable.
Thanks Silva for this video. This is the first video of yours I have viewed. I'm a senior and have been contemplating an AT thru hike. I really like how you do not waste any time with long intros or explanations like some content creators. Keep on hiking and best wishes!
Thank you for watching! If you’re considering an AT Thru hike I’d say go for it! Have you done any shorter thru hikes? Best wishes to you as well! Happy hiking! 🥾
Really good tips. I will present a couple a couple of tips from a different perspective. At age 50 (in 1998) I decided to hike the AT with my fiancé. I had a sedentary job and too much body fat. We just took off. Pack was overweight as was I. There was no training. Personally I don’t think it is necessary but if you have the time then go for it. In retrospect my body weight and composition were negatives. Training would have helped but a slower pace overcame the lack of training. Over 9 months I lost 50 lbs and my fiancé lost 15 lbs . When hiker hunger kicked in I could not get eat enough food, so trips into town were great. The last advice is do not rush. Allow as much time as possible.
Thank you! I really appreciate your perspective. I know it definitely can be done without training, but it makes it way easier if you do train ahead of time. Plus I think less prone to injuries. Hiker hunger is amazing! lol I always struggle to eat the first 3-4 weeks so end up losing a lot of weight as well. lol So happy to hear you've hiked that AT! Happy hiking!
Hello Silva, I just re-subscribed. I was with you a while back on your AT run. I accidentally saw your video on youtube and thought it would be a good time to come back. I turn 75 this July so I'm getting more conscious of the need to watch my step. I've been very active getting on trails in my area most days of the week. But last week I was doing a 15 mile road walk and started to get knee pain in my right leg. I should have paid attention to it but instead did a long bush hike a couple of days later and had to hobble back in a lot of pain. So now I am house bound for a while. The lessons of old age are a difficult teaching. I look forward to enjoying your videos again. Best wishes to you.
Thank you for re-subscribing! So sorry to hear about your knee pain! I hope you recover quickly! I have many times tied to push through after an injury and it never turns out good. You’d think we’d learn but for some reason those lessons are difficult to remember. lol Thanks so much for following along. 🥾⛰️🏕️
Get in shape, stay in shape. If you are a human, and you don’t work out (both strength and cardio) you are robbing yourself of not just more life, but more quality life. If you are older, you lose muscle mass at a faster rate. Strength training and ingesting more quality protein every day will keep you able to enjoy physical activities into your later years. 🤘🕓
Completely agree! The older I get the more important I can see being in shape and staying in shape is. I’m determined to get in much better shape so I can keep hiking and backpacking for years to come one. 🥾⛰️🏕️😊
Thank you! I’m hitting the trail again in two days and appreciate your thoughts and ideas! It’s been nine years since my last section hike. Hopefully this will go better!
Im 65 and a month ago, spent two days and a night on the AT in Western Massachusetts. Tryington... It was hard. But i plan on returning. I need alot more preparation. I will be watching you now that i have found you.
While training, work your pack weight up to overload. After working your way up. Take some shorter hikes with extra water weight. You can find stairs to climb with your loades pack also. Many, mnay step on the AT
Subscribed. Thanks for being an older hiker and sharing. I’m struggling with food now, but will prevail. Yes, the onion rings, etc., are not wise for me. Sound good, taste good, but ulimately not worth it.
Amazing isn’t it? Early March and the woods are already bare of snow here in Maine. Great tips, I’m 65 and just started using trekking poles last year and what a difference it made.
I know I can’t believe there is no snow around here. I had someone tell me still lots of snow in Grafton Notch area so I may try to get over there to do a hike soon. Lol. I love my trekking poles. I can’t imagine hiking without them.
Nice presentation and all good tips. However, all but the very fittest of the Social Security crowd will face unfixable challenges to endurance, agility, balance, and recovery from trail injury and fatigue.
Of course sometimes things happen and you have no options and need to make miles. I just don't want to miss everything because I'm so focused on making miles. 🏕⛺
I use a duffle bag and check most of my gear and use my backpack as a carry on but with only what I need on the flight. I did a video on flying with my gear. I’ll look up the link and put it in the comments below. 😊
I’ve heard of some hikers using a portable CPap for hiking but have no idea how well it works. I’ve also seen hikers ship medication to specific locations along the trail and pick them up.
I didn't know that ACV would help heart burn. Thanks for the info! Though I don't know if I could drink it even in water. lol I don't even like salt and vinegar chips. 😂
My two cents. Pack and shoes and socks are my big 3. Don't get flimsy running shoes. Get real hiking shoes or boots that are non waterproof. I swear by injinji sock liners under my darn toughs. Do not buy an ultralight pack unless you are actually going ultralight (15 pounds). Buy an osprey ag. Cheers
I definitely agree with your big three! I do like hiking in trail runners and not boots unless it’s winter. I use wear the injinji liners but didn’t like wearing two pairs of socks. Now I wear the Injinji hiking socks is usually. Happy hiking! 🥾 😊
I didn’t put my 3or 4 times on the AT but this woman is wrong. My personal opinion is just try you never know what will happen. Yes for my last time I need medication but my doctor gave me the health ok. A doctor is a good thing for anyone. And next year I will be 77 years old and do my last through travel number 13 will be a joke. I know I will punish the young folks I just finished with pain the Shanganie. For fun i walked the trail of death. It’s not as long as AP….but try the Bulawayo to Vic Falls run in even winter you learn what kit to carry. I will never make a video of those walkers. Mainly because I don’t want people to see me fun dancing. lol you can make me USA but ya can’t take RSAS from me. Oh got to add this. Never had a crock try to eat my leg on the AT and never had a Buff try to end my life. My worst was hippy’s wanting my food. For a walking stick I fully swear by them. I used a staff all the same and it helped all the time and it was a very heavy black thorn staff. Hands up to my suicidal Republic of Ireland friends. For hiking a walking stick or staff is beyond beneficial. One of my staffs actually has a button compass and a small little place to horde a small amount of matches. Best part of a staff is something you will never use. They make great rests to shoot you firearm. And in a not joke one of my staffs did beat off an annoying Grizzly Bear. I don’t suggest that attitude unless you like death. If you get the chance I would suggest the old sheep farmers staff. The hooked end works well to help you climb up nasty high land terrain
She did not mention the most important piece of equipment: a gun. Most of the AT goes through open-carry states like Virginia and Pennsylvania, so by all means, carry a pistol, especially hiking alone.
I didn’t mention it because I don’t believe it’s necessary. I hike and backpack alone and feel more comfortable in the woods by myself than alone at Walmart.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
At 59, I really appreciate your sharing and videos. Please stay strong and healthy.
Thank you so much!! 🏕️🥾⛰️
Great tips! As a "senoir" hiker, I'm training and preparing to hike the AT in 2026. There has been a lot of gear tweaking from trial and error. I concur about the shoes and foot care! Glad I found you in RUclips and IG!
Thank you! Glad it has helped in your planning! That’s so exciting you’ll be out there in 2026!
See you in 2026-another senior hiker here!
2026 must be the year of senior hikers. 👏🏼🥾That’s my plan also. Retiring oct 2025. I hike a few days a week but not with a complete load. A few overnight trips in 2025 to put it all together. Have a great adventure. Any thoughts on the best month? I know March is busy.
Another senior hiker here. 2026 is the year for us seniors. Hope to see you all out there.
Old, slow runner and cyclist, LMNT is a game changer, especially in heat.
I love LMNT in the heat. Helps keep me from getting muscle cramps.
Silva it's your ex sister in law a new adventure really good narrative on equipment and trail backpacking very good explanation proud of you for taking this on
Thank you! I love the Appalachian Trail! ⛺️⛰️🥾
Very reasonable and excellent suggestions. Thank you. ❤😊
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching! 🥾⛺️⛰️
Nice to meet you here! Great video
So glad you liked it! Thanks for watching! ⛺️⛰️🥾
I am 69 and section hike AT every year as a test to see how I am aging, going again end of March for 200 miles, could only do 11 miles/day last year. Instead of trekking poles I like a 45" hiking stick, call it my "Dog Stick" because I use it to defend against dog attacks, some dogs think I am the Postman and attack. Also use the hiking stick as a catapult to sling my rock bag over a tree limb to hang my food, gives more power and directional control. #12: I do carry Imodium AD just in case virus attack. This time I will be swapping gear between sections, during 5 day sections I will carry my 32lb 70l backpack with hammock setup. There are some 3 day sections that I bet I can do in 2 days if I swap gear to carrying an old fashion Hobo Roll (a bedroll containing torso groundsheet & pad, down blanket, polyester tarp cover, gloves, jacket), betting I can make better time with 13 pound gear including 1 pound of Walnuts for 2 days food.
11 mile days are fantastic! I hope your upcoming 200 mile section hike goes smoothly for you. Great idea to use your stick as a catapult to help hang your food. I couldn’t do only walnuts for food. Lol
As a 76 year old backpacker it’s nice to hear and learn from your experience.
Thank you!! I love hearing about older backpackers getting out there.
Excellent tips for even us day hikers! Thank you😊
Glad they were helpful!! Thanks for watching!! 😊🥾⛰️🏕️
Thank you for the wise tips, particularly the mention of not comparing yourself with your younger self. We all, to a greater or lessor extent, have a strong tendency to lament the loss of our abilities to the onset of age.😞
It is hard sometimes to just enjoy where you are at and not compare. I do pretty good but still fall into it every now and then. We are still getting out there and having a blast and that’s what counts even if it is not as fast as we’d like. 😊
Great tips to live by. I put hiking poles right up there as an absolute necessity. Hike on 🥾🥾~ CrazyQuilt
I agree hiking poles are a necessity. Can’t wait to see your upcoming Utah adventures!
Good advice thanks. Im 71 and do shorter multi day hikes 5 to 21days in Australia and New Zealand. Having a 'zero' makes the experience so much easier and enjoyable.
That’s fantastic that you’re doing multi day hikes! I sometimes have to remind myself how much better I feel after a zero. It’s so much better after.
Thanks Silva for this video. This is the first video of yours I have viewed. I'm a senior and have been contemplating an AT thru hike. I really like how you do not waste any time with long intros or explanations like some content creators. Keep on hiking and best wishes!
Thank you for watching! If you’re considering an AT Thru hike I’d say go for it! Have you done any shorter thru hikes? Best wishes to you as well! Happy hiking! 🥾
All great tips, Silva👍. Thanks so much for making this video.
Thank you! 🥾⛰️🏕️
Hey Silva, As an older hiker carry a small bottler of baby asprin. Just in case for me or anyone else who might need it. I liked this video.
That is a fantastic idea! I’m going to have to do that. Glad you liked the video. How have you been? Hope all is well!
Really liked this, thanks! As an older "adventurer" I can relate, thanks! 👍😊
So glad you liked the video and hopefully it was helpful! Thanks for watching! 🥾⛺️⛰️
All wonderful tips, Silva! Thanks for sharing. Hike~~On~~>
Thanks for watching! 🥾⛰️🏕️
From one mature hiker/outsdoorsman thank you for sharing.
Perfect tips!
Really good tips. I will present a couple a couple of tips from a different perspective. At age 50 (in 1998) I decided to hike the AT with my fiancé. I had a sedentary job and too much body fat. We just took off. Pack was overweight as was I. There was no training. Personally I don’t think it is necessary but if you have the time then go for it.
In retrospect my body weight and composition were negatives. Training would have helped but a slower pace overcame the lack of training.
Over 9 months I lost 50 lbs and my fiancé lost 15 lbs . When hiker hunger kicked in I could not get eat enough food, so trips into town were great.
The last advice is do not rush. Allow as much time as possible.
Thank you! I really appreciate your perspective. I know it definitely can be done without training, but it makes it way easier if you do train ahead of time. Plus I think less prone to injuries.
Hiker hunger is amazing! lol I always struggle to eat the first 3-4 weeks so end up losing a lot of weight as well. lol
So happy to hear you've hiked that AT! Happy hiking!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! 🥾⛰️🏕️
Great tips!
Most of these tips are good for all hikers no matter the age glad I watch this video
Thanks for watching! You’re right they would be helpful for any age. 🥾⛰️
IMHO, the top tip relates to foot wear and care. Your feet are what gets you there!
Agree your feet are so important! 🥾
Hello Silva, I just re-subscribed. I was with you a while back on your AT run. I accidentally saw your video on youtube and thought it would be a good time to come back. I turn 75 this July so I'm getting more conscious of the need to watch my step. I've been very active getting on trails in my area most days of the week. But last week I was doing a 15 mile road walk and started to get knee pain in my right leg. I should have paid attention to it but instead did a long bush hike a couple of days later and had to hobble back in a lot of pain. So now I am house bound for a while. The lessons of old age are a difficult teaching. I look forward to enjoying your videos again. Best wishes to you.
Thank you for re-subscribing! So sorry to hear about your knee pain! I hope you recover quickly! I have many times tied to push through after an injury and it never turns out good. You’d think we’d learn but for some reason those lessons are difficult to remember. lol Thanks so much for following along. 🥾⛰️🏕️
Thank you!
hola Silva. Muy acertados tus trece consejos. son la biblia de las excursiones.
Thank you and thanks for watching! Happy hiking! 🥾
Tip 13 is #1!
Ty for this 💓 great advice
Thanks for watching! 🥾⛰️🏕️
This was really helpful, thanks.
Nice job,great tips. 👍
Get in shape, stay in shape. If you are a human, and you don’t work out (both strength and cardio) you are robbing yourself of not just more life, but more quality life.
If you are older, you lose muscle mass at a faster rate. Strength training and ingesting more quality protein every day will keep you able to enjoy physical activities into your later years. 🤘🕓
Completely agree! The older I get the more important I can see being in shape and staying in shape is. I’m determined to get in much better shape so I can keep hiking and backpacking for years to come one. 🥾⛰️🏕️😊
Great 13 tips.
Thanks for doing the video
Thanks for watching!! 🏕️😊⛰️🥾
Thanks
Lovely upload my friend 👏👏
Thank you! 🥾⛰️🏕️
Great tips thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Very good video with some helpful tips. The most important is not to be intimidated and get out there. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️
Thank you!! Happy trails! 🥾⛰️🏕️
Thanks for the far out app.
It’s a fantastic resource! ⛺️🥾⛰️
Thank you! I’m hitting the trail again in two days and appreciate your thoughts and ideas! It’s been nine years since my last section hike. Hopefully this will go better!
Great to hear you’re hitting the trail again! I hope you have a fantastic time! 🥾⛰️🏕️
Im 65 and a month ago, spent two days and a night on the AT in Western Massachusetts. Tryington... It was hard. But i plan on returning. I need alot more preparation. I will be watching you now that i have found you.
Thanks for watching! Good to hear you plan on returning to the AT! I love section hiking the AT. ⛰️🥾🏕️
Thank You for sharing your insight.
While training, work your pack weight up to overload. After working your way up. Take some shorter hikes with extra water weight. You can find stairs to climb with your loades pack also. Many, mnay step on the AT
Great tips! Agreed there are many steps in the AT! 🥾🏕️⛰️😊
Awesome Tips Amiga! I am an older hiker 62 this month. Moka
I can’t believe you’re 62! You guys are awesome! Can’t wait to catch up with you both!
Thank you
You're welcome ⛰️🥾⛺️
Subscribed. Thanks for being an older hiker and sharing. I’m struggling with food now, but will prevail. Yes, the onion rings, etc., are not wise for me. Sound good, taste good, but ulimately not worth it.
Thanks so much for subscribing! It is so hard to resist certain foods sometimes but definitely pay for it after. Lol
All great comments. Love your accent. Maverick
Thank you! 😊 ⛰️🏕️🥾
Hi there Silva girl.
Hi Carrie!!! Miss you! Hope you are doing well!!
Amazing isn’t it? Early March and the woods are already bare of snow here in Maine. Great tips, I’m 65 and just started using trekking poles last year and what a difference it made.
I started using them in my mid ‘50s - I wish I had started a couple decades earlier!!!
@@justjonoutdoors Me too.
I know I can’t believe there is no snow around here. I had someone tell me still lots of snow in Grafton Notch area so I may try to get over there to do a hike soon. Lol. I love my trekking poles. I can’t imagine hiking without them.
Nice presentation and all good tips. However, all but the very fittest of the Social Security crowd will face unfixable challenges to endurance, agility, balance, and recovery from trail injury and fatigue.
Excellent tips. I already do many of them but I learned a couple of things. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! 🥾⛰️🏕️
it’s true, but sometimes you have no choice. You may be short of food if you cannot make up enough miles in time to get resupplies.
Of course sometimes things happen and you have no options and need to make miles. I just don't want to miss everything because I'm so focused on making miles. 🏕⛺
Listen to this song about the mountain wilderness.
DON'T GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP WITHOUT ME (C)2006
james monahan original songs.
Thank you.
Silvia, such a great list so well communicated. It was more like 24 tips. The term LASH is new to me. Is it an acronym?
G'day from Australia💚💛
Thank you so much glad! LASH stands for Long A*s Section Hike. Lol 😂
🤦♀️ thank you! I feel like a newbie🤦♀️
@@turtlemummatreks9786 no worries!! We learn something new everyday! 😊
Great video! I use trekking poles, but I'm wondering how you would travel with trekking poles on airlines?
I use a duffle bag and check most of my gear and use my backpack as a carry on but with only what I need on the flight. I did a video on flying with my gear. I’ll look up the link and put it in the comments below. 😊
Found the video: Flying Hassle-Free with Backpack Gear
ruclips.net/user/shortsIEesnTsxiPg?feature=share
Bring plenty of Vitamin I.
thank you! how many packs of LMNT do you use per day?
I usually just use one per day. If it’s really hot I may use two.
I would love to hike a thru-hike but I use a CPap and I take a lot of medicine
I’ve heard of some hikers using a portable CPap for hiking but have no idea how well it works. I’ve also seen hikers ship medication to specific locations along the trail and pick them up.
There are miniature cpap devices you can take on the AT. Plenty of pharmacies on the trail!
What is a lash?
It stands for Long A** Section Hike. 😂⛺️
Just a comment on the heart burn the best thing is apple cider vinegar,1 tablespoon ACV in 8 oz water never straight.
I didn't know that ACV would help heart burn. Thanks for the info! Though I don't know if I could drink it even in water. lol I don't even like salt and vinegar chips. 😂
54166 Terry Glen
My two cents. Pack and shoes and socks are my big 3. Don't get flimsy running shoes. Get real hiking shoes or boots that are non waterproof. I swear by injinji sock liners under my darn toughs. Do not buy an ultralight pack unless you are actually going ultralight (15 pounds). Buy an osprey ag.
Cheers
I definitely agree with your big three! I do like hiking in trail runners and not boots unless it’s winter. I use wear the injinji liners but didn’t like wearing two pairs of socks. Now I wear the Injinji hiking socks is usually. Happy hiking! 🥾 😊
I didn’t put my 3or 4 times on the AT but this woman is wrong. My personal opinion is just try you never know what will happen. Yes for my last time I need medication but my doctor gave me the health ok. A doctor is a good thing for anyone. And next year I will be 77 years old and do my last through travel number 13 will be a joke. I know I will punish the young folks I just finished with pain the Shanganie. For fun i walked the trail of death. It’s not as long as AP….but try the Bulawayo to Vic Falls run in even winter you learn what kit to carry. I will never make a video of those walkers. Mainly because I don’t want people to see me fun dancing. lol you can make me USA but ya can’t take RSAS from me. Oh got to add this. Never had a crock try to eat my leg on the AT and never had a Buff try to end my life. My worst was hippy’s wanting my food.
For a walking stick I fully swear by them. I used a staff all the same and it helped all the time and it was a very heavy black thorn staff. Hands up to my suicidal Republic of Ireland friends. For hiking a walking stick or staff is beyond beneficial. One of my staffs actually has a button compass and a small little place to horde a small amount of matches. Best part of a staff is something you will never use. They make great rests to shoot you firearm. And in a not joke one of my staffs did beat off an annoying Grizzly Bear. I don’t suggest that attitude unless you like death. If you get the chance I would suggest the old sheep farmers staff. The hooked end works well to help you climb up nasty high land terrain
Good luck on your next hike!
She did not mention the most important piece of equipment: a gun. Most of the AT goes through open-carry states like Virginia and Pennsylvania, so by all means, carry a pistol, especially hiking alone.
I didn’t mention it because I don’t believe it’s necessary. I hike and backpack alone and feel more comfortable in the woods by myself than alone at Walmart.
Learn how to pronounce it correctly
I’m from Maine and that’s how we pronounce it. That’s how New England pronounces it. 😊🥾⛰️🏕️