Meet my friend Jo Anne. She’s 76 and is a backpacking fanatic! She started this journey at age 68 but just last year, (2022) she had to overcome a huge obstacle to continue on her backpacking journey!
Last week Jo Anne and I went on a backpack into the Hoover Wilderness in the high Sierra of California. Check out her incredible INSPIRATIONAL story! Her message.. Get off the Couch!
PS.. this Youtube vid is on my new channel geared to senior hikers. If this is your thing, and/or you’d like to watch other inspirational stories of outdoorsy seniors, SUBSCRIBE to that channel “Old-ish Hiker”
Hello, nature enthusiasts! Today, I’m excited to introduce my new YouTube channel, “Old-ish Hiker,” specially curated for adventurous souls over 60 who are passionate about hiking and exploring the great outdoors. As some of you may know, I’ve been running a channel called “TwylaWorld,” but I’ve decided to shift my focus and dedicate more time to this new venture. In this blog post, I’ll share some details about Old-ish Hiker, its purpose, and why you should be a part of this exciting journey-even if you aren’t a hiker!
A New Adventure Begins: Old-ish Hiker
Old-ish Hiker is the latest addition to my YouTube ventures, catering specifically to the vibrant community of hikers aged 60 and above. As we age, our interests and preferences change, and this channel aims to provide valuable information, tips, and inspiration for senior hikers who want to embrace the beauty of nature in their golden years.
Why the Shift from TwylaWorld?
You might be wondering why I’ve chosen to focus more on Old-ish Hiker and what that means for TwylaWorld. While TwylaWorld will continue to be active, it will now serve as a platform for music and various intriguing content. Old-ish Hiker, on the other hand, will take center stage with its purpose-driven content, showcasing my hiking experiences and the magnificent landscapes I encounter.
What to Expect on Old-ish Hiker
Old-ish Hiker isn’t just about hiking trails; it’s a journey of exploration and education. Through this channel, I’ll be sharing my extensive hiking footage from both past and future trips, highlighting the beauty of Mother Earth. Expect engaging and informative videos that not only inspire but also educate on the best practices for senior hikers.
The Awesome Production Value
I’m committed to delivering high-quality content on Old-ish Hiker, making the most of my experience in creating captivating videos. The production value will be top-notch, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning visuals of nature and feel like you’re right there with me on the trails.
Embracing the Beauty of Our Planet
Old-ish Hiker isn’t just about hiking; it’s also about appreciating and protecting our planet. With every step, I hope to instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the need to preserve it for future generations.
The Call to Action: Join the Journey!
I have set an ambitious goal to reach at least 100 subscribers within the next month on Old-ish Hiker. Even if hiking isn’t your typical interest, I encourage you to check out the channel and subscribe. By being a part of this community, you’ll not only support my passion but also get a chance to witness the splendor of nature through my lens.
Conclusion:
Old-ish Hiker is a channel designed with love and purpose, tailor-made for senior hikers and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the great outdoors. By subscribing to this channel, you’ll join a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for exploration and a deep connection with nature. So, hop on this adventure with me, and together, let’s discover the wonders that our planet has to offer!
Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to see you on Old-ish Hiker! Let’s embrace the joy of hiking in our senior years!
The Sierra saw huge snows in December and the back Country is another world. Huge granite boulders and outcroppings that are impossible to traverse the summer. In the summer, the trail makes switchbacks around this rough terrain. In the winter, the terrain is transformed to rolling hills of snow high above the granite. This is a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that is just south of I-80 near Boreal Ski Resort. We pretty much went way around where the PCT that sits under 15 feet of snow and forged our own path to an awesome overlook of Donner Lake. The hike was hard and very slow going through the thick powder, but it was worth it! Head over to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL and subscribe and don’t forget to hit the notification bell!
I finally got around to tallying my hiking stats for 2021. (scroll to bottom) With the fires it was a challenge so I went to the coast as much as possible. However, it was hard to escape the smoke even at the ocean on some days! In May, Alex and I took a Colorado/Utah road trip with the camper for a couple of weeks and explored lots of roadside trails, in Colorado, Moab, Arches and Canyonlands. Not much real hiking was done, just some meandering with a poodle riding in a backpack. Check out the vids!
Here are my 2021 stats for a total of 149.76 miles
HEAT INTOLERANCE: I’ve always been a wimp when it came to extreme heat. When I was 10 years old, I passed out on the neighbors driveway smack on my face while playing “tag” with the neighborhood kids in 100+ temps. I woke up to find my front teeth broken in half and passed out again! Fast forward to adult life, I seemed to tolerate the heat better as I became acclimated – I was young! The next time I became dangerously over-heated was when I was performing at a rodeo in the California foothills in August in my early 40s. The temps were well over 100 and I was wearing the usual rodeo garb of long sleeve spandex shirt, jeans, boots, thick leather chaps, cowboy hat, etc. I did this for years and rodeo season is always in the summer. It was HOT but I tolerated it.
Jan and Oreo Folsom Pro Rodeo
On this day, I remember going straight back to my horse trailer to strip off all of that garb in my tiny un-air conditioned dressing/tack room… a literal hotbox that was most likely over 120 degrees. I quickly changed into shorts and a tank top and I came out of that trailer staggering, almost puking and about to pass out. Thankfully, we had a couple of ER nurses on our drill team that started pouring cold on me to cool my core down. They gave me the nickname of”code 2″. ER code for “person passing out”. Later, the nurses bought me a little water spritzer fan to carry around with the words “Code 2” taped to it.
Now that I’m 60 and post Menopausal, my thermostat is all jacked up (as my husband calls it) and I go code 2 quickly. One would think that hiking in 85 degrees would be a nice day. But, 85 degrees at 8500 feet or more equates to 95+ in that thin air, especially if you are climbing a steep grade for a few miles in full sun and on granite slabs. I do hike with a light UV hiking sun umbrella which helps some.
On this particular hike, I was almost at a Code 2 just 1/8 mile from my destination. I became nauseous and I knew I was in trouble. When my body talks, I LISTEN! I immediately stopped in the shade, took off my pack and sat… for a really long time. I chugged my electrolyte enhanced water (that I had been drinking throughout the hike), ate a salt tab and munched on some salty snacks. When I felt I had re-set my body temp, I hiked that last short distance to the top.
The rest of my summer will most likely be kayaking and water sports until it cools down about 20 degrees in the high country.
I highly recommend reading the book “Death in the Grand Canyon” It was written by the Park’s doctor and river guide that worked in the Grand Canyon for many years. I learned a lot about heat exhaustion, hypothermia, and all of the other ailments and disasters at the park, etc. The stories are horrific, but a great learning tool for all who venture into the wild.
Here is the video of my HOT hike this week. No Dialogue, just views, an unbelievable array of wildflowers and some soothing music.
Take a minute and enter your email on the right to get alerts when I upload a new blog post! You won’t regret it, and I’m pretty sure Unicorns will appear at your door. I think… Not sure.. but pretty sure… give it a try!
It’s day onehundredeleventysomeningorother of the pandemic so onward I hike. On June 29, 2020, my niece Jenny (trail name Legs) and I head off from Wrights lake and find out way up the granite to Twin Lakes.
The trail goes on for miles deep into Desolation Wilderness, but since we took our time and really savored every moment in this area, we turned around at Lower Twin Lake which made for a 6.5 mile day.
The route up to the lakes is mostly granite so there isn’t much of a trail. We lost the trail many times, but having GPS on my phone, we were able to find the trail easily again. Going up, it was hard to see the cairns and the lines of rock in places that marked the route. Going back down was a piece of cake as you can see the cairns a lot better.
We were treated with many waterfalls, small lakes and exceptional views. I want to go back and explore further in, maybe with my overnight bag!
Because of the Pandemic, the Forest Service has suspended the need to get a day hike permit, but you still need one if you are an overnight backpacker.
I know… that was kind of harsh.. right? Let’s talk about the current state of our Forests, Mountains, Water Falls, Trails and other nature areas during this time of Pandemic. Simply put, they are being mobbed by bored humans! Is it because venues such as movie theaters, concert venues, etc are closed? Maybe. Is it because we had to spend two months in our homes? Maybe. Will this wave of crazed humans that suddenly want to explore the outdoors fade when this pandemic is over? Hopefully!
Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve been encouraging people to get outside and explore our fabulous wonders of the Earth for a long time! This current situation has put me in a quandary! And, I know some of you longtime outdoor people feel the same! What I’ve been seeing on social media, with the mountains of trash that has been left in the wake of all of these humans, sickens me! The mile long line of cars at trail heads where emergency crews can’t get through. Big Foot is getting pissed and I don’t blame him! I just have to tell myself that these people are temporary tourists and they will soon be back going to the movies, bars, concerts and other stuff that typically keeps urban dwellers busy.
If the pandemic got you out for the first time, and you decide that this hiking lifestyle is for you, then WELCOME! But know this… romping around in the woods comes with responsibility for yourself and others. THE WILDERNESS IS NO JOKE AND SHOWS YOU NO MERCY.
Forest Service personnel are working harder than ever to put out illegal campfires, pick up trash, and RESCUE lost and injured hikers.
Do your part and be smart. Like that rhyme? Here’s another one for ya.. Stay safe and leave no trace!
Let’s go hiking! But, let’s go hiking the responsible way! Don’t Piss off Sasquatch!
Here is the link to what I carry in my Day Hiking pack and other useful information to help in your quest for the outdoors.
Every year a group of friends gather their fuzzy and fat horses for a ride on New Years Day in the Spenceville Wildlife area. And we see a bald eagle! Does that mean good luck for 2019?? I sure hope so! Take a ride with us!
So, in the video below is a timelapse video of me drawing Legendary Actor, James Dean and the story of my re-learning something with something special thrown in at the end.
This week we take a hike up to Martis Peak Lookout Tower that looks out over the Tahoe and Truckee Basin. We encounter some very large bear and mountain lion tracks and get to play in the first snow fall of the year!
twylaworld.com 
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