Age is not a paddling stopper! My experience suggests that these are the real stoppers whose I discussed below:
A HEAVY OUTFIT:
Weight is a killer, more so, if you’ve never learned to use a tumpline. A tumpline is a strap attached at both ends to a sack, backpack or other luggage and used to carry the object by placing the strap over the top of the head. This utilizes the spine rather than the shoulders as standard backpack straps. a tumpline. It stabilizes the load, especially on uphill grades. It holds the load tight against your back (no wobbling) so that aging bodies, which have lost some of their flexibility and balance, can succeed. The effect is immediate and reassuring. I can confidently carry a 75-pound pack up a tortuous grade IF I use a tumpline (yes, I have to go slow, but those who’ve tripped with me know I ALWAYS go slow!). But give me a 75-pound canoe on shoulder pads and I’ll be lucky to make 300 yards without setting it down on the nearest boulder. Tumplines are magical; believe it!
LOOSE STUFF:
Carrying a lot of loose stuff that’s hanging and dangling, will play havoc with your balance which, as stated–is one of the first things that go with age. Portages will go much easier if everything is confined to packs.
BE A SKILLED PADDLER:
Most Boundary Waters paddlers have minimal skills, or more accurately, none. They can go straight and turn right and left, that’s about all. Put them on a river with rapids and they’ll crash and burn; run them down a twisting stream and they’ll wear themselves out in the turns. The point is that if you diversify your skills (know whitewater, racing and freestyle procedures) you’ll travel more efficiently (and conserve energy) on all types of water, and you’ll be in control when demanding conditions arise. Muscles deteriorate with age, but polished techniques don’t! A competent young paddler will be a competent old paddler! “Doing it right” dwarfs’ big muscles and bad technique. Skill trumps age, size, sex and gear!
BE A POLISHED CAMPER:
Comfort counts, and “more comfort” counts as one gets older. Eating bad food or suffering from the cold because you can’t build a campfire won’t make you a happy camper. Be a polished Camper.
So, advice for all, who are getting up in years is, Stop looking in the mirror. The wrinkles won’t go away! But your passion for kayaking and camping won’t wane-that is, if you are a skilled paddler and camper and of course, if you don’t have a debilitating condition that precludes the light rigors associated with the wild outdoors.