Advancing Age:
- When an activity, task, or event is harder, takes longer, and/or is perhaps less fun than it was when I was younger.
- When a memory of an activity, task, or event is not the same as the actual experience when it is done at an older age.
- When people younger than me perform or experience an activity, task, or event with greater ease than me, just because they are younger.
Do you see the theme here? Do my words leave the impression that my advancing age showed up big-time yesterday? That I was humbled by the vast difference in capacity between my advancing age and that of the younger people with whom we shared the trail?!
We have hiked to the top of Nevada Falls in Yosemite many times over the years; in fact, we have gone further than that—to the top of Half Dome via the cables route — four times in the past. I remember scampering up that trail, passing other (apparently older) hikers. Yes, the trail is arduous: a long, steep, rocky, and dusty 2300 feet of elevation gain over 8.3 miles. This may not sound like much, but the continuous stair-steps of the ascent and descent are indeed a challenge. Yes, I remember being foot-weary in years past as we returned to hike’s base at Happy Isles, more so if we added on the push to Half Dome, but I used to be able to do that hike at a robust pace, passing (apparently older) people on the way up and down, and generally feeling strong all the while.
Fast forward these fifteen years since we last were in Yosemite. I have stayed strong-or so I tell myself-I regularly ride my bike, work out with hand weights, and I have a nightly pilates routine for my core. None of that was evident yesterday! Sure, I started the hike feeling perky. Yes, I had put new felt foot pads in the soles of my hiking shoes then day before, for extra padding. Of course I carried plenty of water and nourishing snacks.
On this auspicious day of our wedding anniversary (28 years!), this hike was a fabulous way to celebrate ourselves. And it was! Yet … my advancing age was a factor (note: John experienced the hike just as I did, but I do not want to speak for him, hence the I versus We). SO many young people passed me! Some were carrying larger packs, and some were wearing sneakers or sandals! One fellow was drinking a Coors at 9 in the morning, on the trail! (Coors is bad enough, but at 9 AM?!). I was not disheartened when I was passed, I was curious — what do they have that I do not, besides youth and more strength?! Back at the trailhead, were they feeling tired? Did their feet ache like mine did? Was their neck a bit sore from carrying a pack and from looking down at the loose rocks with each step—as mine was? Were they looking forward to getting back to camp, or their cars, so they could take Tylenol, like I was?!
A cute young couple with whom I had chatted at the top of Vernal Falls, joyously greeted me at the top of Nevada Falls. They seemed impressed that I had made it up there, and asked me if I had hiked this route previously, as it was their first time. I shared that indeed I have been up here numerous times; they went on to say that they had commented to each other that we had looked strong on the trail, so they thought we were indeed experienced hikers. When I told them we had been to the top of Half Dome as well, they were duly impressed, asking more questions about it.
Because the Mist Trail section to the top of Vernal Falls had been insanely crowded, even early in the morning, and because we were feeling sore (yes, John also!), we opted to hike down via the John Muir Trail to avoid the human traffic jam as well as to minimize our exposure to the stair-steps. Nonetheless, the 4+ mile descent hurt my toes and feet and I also felt achy in my hips and right knee.
I am writing now from the comfort of our campsite, sitting in the shade of the awning, rehydrating and waiting for the Tylenol to kick in.
One last blurb regarding what I call Advancing Age Annoyances:
- People who play music from their phones, LOUDLY, while hiking on a narrow and crowded trail.
- When a large group stops for a drink of water, a snack, or just to rest, but they stop IN THE TRAIL, forcing others to go around them.
- People who feed the wild animals — squirrels and birds mostly — ignoring the multitudes of signage stating DO NOT feed the wild animals.
- The guy with an unruly dog on the trail who responded to my admonition that dogs were not allowed on the trail with a bullshitty reply, “it is a service dog”. There was no indication of service training, no special vest, and the dog was not obedient, so NOPE, that was not a service dog.
Geez, look at these sentiments of a person who is of advancing age!
