[pct-l] Old age and backpacking

[Reinhold Metzger]

Naaahhh Switchback,
At age 68 I am  getting to old for this  extreme stuff.
After left shoulder operation in 2006, right shoulder in 2007, and knee 
surgery in 2008, I am no longer the hiker I was in 2004.
Seems like things break down easier as one gets older.
Old age (the golden years) is not what it is cracked up to be....avoid 
it at all cost, if possible.
But you, Switchback, are still young and robust and with the hiker cart 
you could shatter Michael's unsupported JMT record
and bring it back to the backpacker family, where it belongs.

I, on the other hand, am considering going for a Senior Citizens in 
wheelchairs record of the JMT.
I have been looking at a battery powered wheelchair with 4 wheel drive, 
differential slip, equipped with snow tires to get me over the passes.
It also comes with a sun canopy, cruise control, satellited phone, TV, 
fold out bed and refrigerator.
I really like the refrigerator part to keep my beer cold.
I am considering attaching a sidewinder so I can take hiker babes along.
I wonder if  Donna or Yogi would like to come along?
You have a good rapport with Donna, why don't you put in some good words 
for me.
You know, tell her how good looking and romantic I am and how she would 
remember this joy ride for the rest of her life.
In the mean time I will work my charm on Yogi.

Boy oh boy,....I can hardly wait,....I will be the envy of all the 
hikers, zooming down the trail with Donna or Yogi at my side, a beer in 
one hand, rock music blaring from the boom boxes and the Marine Corps 
flag fluttering overhead.

JMT Reinhold
Your motorized Sr.trail companion

-------------------------------------------------------

Hiker97 at aol.com wrote:
> Unsupported Snow Bunny Reinhold writes:   Switchback my hero,.....what 
> a brilliant idea.
> A hiker cart.....now why did I not think of that. I will be your 
> hiking buddy from this day forward.  One hiker cart can carry the gear 
> of several hikers.  And since we don't have to carry the gear, we 
> don't have to be concerned about weight and take along
> all kind of goodies like chips and beer and even hiker babes. Since 
> you are bigger and stronger than I am, I figure that you will be 
> pulling the hiker cart. Of course, I will be assisting you by making 
> the cart lighter by drinking beer and eating chips as we go along. The 
> hiker babes will enjoy riding on the hiker cart.  Boy oh boy, I can 
> hardly wait, hiker babes and beer and we don't have to carry any of it.
> ------------------------------------------
> Brilliant Switchback replies:I was thinking along the lines that you 
> would want to pull the cart for a new JMT record --- to go along with 
> your others.  This would be truly a new UNSUPPORTED record for you.  I 
> would go along as a chaperon and guide.  Of course, I would not be 
> carrying anything, since it would be on your cart. Anytime I needed 
> to, I would sleep on the cart as it moved forward to Mt. Whitney and a 
> new world JMT record.
>
>
>
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