Machu Picchu or bust

shershon
shershon Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hi All,in a moment of what must have been temporary insanity I bought a trip to climb Machu Picchu. 9 miles per day to 14k feet. I'm 57 and 165lbs. My husband is 64 and 160lbs. We work our and my legs have gotten much stronger with squats and lunges. But I'm worried abound the excess weight. Anyone done anything crazy like this over 55? Tips?

Replies

  • peggykirkby
    peggykirkby Posts: 27 Member
    Lol! My latest, crazy bucket list addition is to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail...comin' and goin'...and I'm 61,at 160 lbs!

    My inspiration was my mother. At 5' nuthin', and close to 150 lbs, she & my dad took a driving trip through Mexico. Whilest there, along with all the walking tours to sightsee, they climbed several pyramids...she was about 57 at the time.

    She was concerned about her extra weight as well, but by the time they returned home a month later, she was down to 137 lbs and in better shape than the previous 20 yrs, according to her dr!

    So you go on ahead to Macchu Picchu! Use your head, be aware of your body & use caution. By the time you return, there won't BE any extra weight!

    Only, make sure you talk to your dr before you go...just to be on the safe side.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    I did the Inca Trail in my mid-20s. I was pretty unfit at the time (didn't do much regular exercise, just walking and very sporadic running). I also come from a very flat part of the world so I am not used to inclines or altitude!

    Anyway, there were several people in their 50s in the same group. They didn't seem to find it any more challenging than the younger ones, and in some cases were fitter than me. The most important thing I found was to have well broken in walking shoes/boots. The people that struggled the most was because of blister pain.

    The trail has a lot of ups and downs - the downs are very hard going on the knees owing to lots of large stone steps - so keep up with the squats and lunges to help build up knee strength.

    The other main difficulty is the altitude. Progress is very slow and if you're used to life nearer sea-level, you will find yourself out of breath much quicker than usual. This is normal though - just take your time and stop regularlry to catch your breath.

    Also, take plenty of water / electrolytes to sip during the day.

    Enjoy your trip. Prepare well and you will have a wonderful experience!
  • Glinda1971
    Glinda1971 Posts: 2,328 Member
    Good luck!!

    @peleroja Here is the thread I was speaking about.
  • ehamerike
    ehamerike Posts: 2 Member
    peggykirkby wrote: »
    Lol! My latest, crazy bucket list addition is to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail...comin' and goin'...and I'm 61,at 160 lbs!

    My inspiration was my mother. At 5' nuthin', and close to 150 lbs, she & my dad took a driving trip through Mexico. Whilest there, along with all the walking tours to sightsee, they climbed several pyramids...she was about 57 at the time.

    She was concerned about her extra weight as well, but by the time they returned home a month later, she was down to 137 lbs and in better shape than the previous 20 yrs, according to her dr!

    So you go on ahead to Macchu Picchu! Use your head, be aware of your body & use caution. By the time you return, there won't BE any extra weight!

    Only, make sure you talk to your dr before you go...just to be on the safe side.

  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    Glinda1971 wrote: »
    Good luck!!

    @peleroja Here is the thread I was speaking about.

    Thanks!

    I'm in my 20s but we just decided to do the Salkantay Trek in September (it's the same area of Peru and also starts at Mile 82 but a more challenging hike, up to 15,900 ft) and in all the reading I've done on it, I don't think you have anything to worry about. LOTS of people older than you do the classic Inca Trail and they manage just fine. The second day is the toughest but it is well within the bounds of possibility for most healthy people. You can also keep in mind that you will not have to "keep up" if you can't manage it. Here's the little blurb from my info packet:

    "Most groups tend to spread out over the trail, taking photos, stopping to rest, and enjoying the scenery. There is no need to keep up with the leaders of the pack, and no stigma attached to arriving last into camp. If you feel breathless during a long ascent or wobbly during a long descent, by all means stop until you feel restored. There's plenty of time. This is your vacation, so enjoy!"

    You can definitely do this. Arrive a few days early to acclimatize to the altitude in Cuzco, drink lots of coca tea, and bring or rent hiking poles (no metal tips on the trail though!) and knee braces (even the stretchy ones from the drugstore) if you're concerned about them.

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    congrats on the trip. that's wonderful.
    keep working on your endurance now but these are for vacationers so I'm sure you'll be fine. just make sure you have broken in your shoes. I would even suggest not really buying new things but to wear things you know how they fit. no chafing from pants or bra. no wedgie from you undies. no bunching socks.
  • shershon
    shershon Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks all for the info and encouragement! I'll post back on the experience and weight. This is only 4ish days of 8-9 miles per day. No miracle but should budge that blasted needle down on the scale.
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