The Over 50 Gang

**PappyAmos** · 05-08-2021, 15:37

Originally Posted by old4hats

I will turn 80 in mid June. I hammock every night, make several hangs each year, and have a great time. I’m not able to lug that pack very well, but I never rule out a hike every now and then. The woods is my happy place.

Feel the same but have 6 years to catch up to you.

**Heavyhiker** · 05-08-2021, 20:48

I turn 59 next month and it’s thanks to hammocking that I can still get out there because it’s just so hard nowadays to get up off the ground even with a good pad. I am dreading our Boy Scout trip to Philmont in July because we have to sleep in tents lol

**inspectorguy** · 05-09-2021, 08:30

66 years old next month. Couple of surgeries have slowed me down, but I am finally on the mend. Hoping to get back ion the woods soon. Ground sleeping is NOT an option...

**DutchConch** · 05-09-2021, 09:06

I turn 60 this year and hammocking has allowed me to continue with longer hikes. Tenting had just gotten too painful. Sleeping in a hammock is better than sleeping in my bed at home. Doing the Wonderland trail this July and would not be able to do that many nights in a tent. I may have to go to ground once or twice, and I'll be ready, but the hammock is what will allow be to finally do a hike I've been wanting to do for over 20 years.

**Rolloff** · 05-09-2021, 12:12

63. Hammocks gave me back the trail. Crawling around on the ground just doesn't have that much attraction to me anymore.

Shug and another HF member, Carver, have been my inspiration.

Shug tries to teach us all to smile, and something about HYOH
Carver teaches us something about the Long Run

Thank you and thank the hammocks that bring us all together

**Tpatter** · 05-09-2021, 13:30

Originally Posted by Rolloff

63. Hammocks gave me back the trail. Crawling around on the ground just doesn't have that much attraction to me anymore.

AMEN to that!

I spent most of my life (so far) thinking that I didn’t like camping, turns out I just didn’t like tents!

**TreeBeard13** · 05-14-2021, 20:22

was all but eady to give up on camping at 50, until a friend got me hammocking... 57 and going strong!

**MountainFeist** · 05-15-2021, 09:32

I'm 52 and one of my daughters got me into hammocking in the park. Since I was ready to give camping a try anyway, I just went with the hammock and skipped the tent altogether. Now I'm getting her into camping. All 5 kids hammock now, and my husband is giving it a try as well.

**Smokey Mtn Hiker** · 05-16-2021, 07:24

Since I started hanging instead of sleeping on the ground, my lower back does not hurt and I can hike longer each day. The fact that I have cut the weight in my backpack may have helped.