imaginaryplaces Member

I have no answers, but am curious about this too. I have arthritis and other joint problems that limit just how "heavy" I can lift. So, while increasing strength and muscle mass would be nice, I'd really like to know what's optimal for maintaining bone density.

I've not backpacked Wonderland, but I've hiked sections of it as day hikes and done lots of hiking in general on and around Rainier. Have you seen Tami Asars' new book: "Hiking the Wonderland Trail"? Early September is a great time of year on Rainier. There will be huckleberries and blueberries to snack on. Once you get…

@Earlnabby - I'm so happy it's helping you! @GaleHawkings - we are talking about Voltaren as a topical gel, not taken orally, and thus with fewer potential side effects. @ Flowerbaby2: It is prescription only (in the US anyway - don't know about elsewhere).

I have several issues with my feet, including arthritis. Things that have helped me and may or may not work for you - Cardio - Have you tried upright ellipticals and/or something like the Precor AMT? I've found that, while treadmills cause me foot pain, these do not. And I find it easier to get a real workout on them.…

Joe - amazing photos! I just looked at your website - the antelope slots are beautiful. As are the night skies.

Thanks Joe. The North Cascades are beautiful. And you've been to some spectacular places yourself this summer. Just seems like there are too many great places, too little time.

We camped Sunday night on Baker Lake in the North Cascades and yesterday hiked along the Baker River - a very pretty trail through some really neat old growth forest - moss-draped with ancient cedars. I feel really fortunate to live in this corner of the world. Baker River: Baker River Trail: Sulphide Creek - a tributary…

Nice video! And - Baxter! I did this hike last summer - it seemed like it took forever to come back down.

Yesterday I hiked to Colchuck in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of the Cascades. It's a beautiful glacier-fed lake. [/url] A sign at the trailhead warned that there were mountain goats "habituated to humans". No kidding! Streams are still running high from snow melt - ETA: trying to get the photos to fit - you may need to…

What an epic trip! Nice photos!

Thanks for the article - this part made me LOL: "Hiking is actually just walking, only on dirt or rocks or other uneven surfaces. Or walking where an animal larger than you can kill and eat you." I guess that makes me a hiker! Sivangj: It is not a dumb question! I think that there are probably as many definitions of hiking…

Wow! Joe - those are just beautiful!

+1 Sad and a little embarrassed. (Tip-toeing back out the door)

I had SVT - I totally understand how debilitating it can be. I had an ablation performed about 12 years ago - one of the best decisions I ever made - it totally eliminated my SVT. I have not had a singe episode since. I'm no expert and I don't know if ablation is an option for you, but do be open to your cardiologist's…

Gender: Female Age: 58 Height: 5' 6" Starting weight: 226 (lost a fair amount before joining MFP) Current Weight: 130-132 Goal weight: 132 Activity level: Work = sedentary. Outside of work = moderately active Weight loss goal: At maintenance, but working to reduce BF Calorie Goal (Gross): 1800-1900 (lower M-F; higher on…

I love the AMT. I find ellipticals too constraining. The AMT is easy on my knees and allows for lots of flexibility in terms of the type of workout. I like that I can alternate between long, open strides versus almost stair steps by adjusting the machine. As for calorie burn - based on my HRM and a lot of trial-and-error -…

For me, if I am hiking on a trail with little elevation gain, the intensity is too low for an HRM to be accurate when it comes to calorie burn, so I just record the hike as walking. If, on the other hand, I'm on a hike with decent elevation gain (say 1000' or so) then I use this hiking calculator:…

Hey Joe - That looks and sounds lovely. I grew up in Illinois near the Mississippi and, although I love where I live now, I do miss the great rivers. BTW - Where was your profile photo taken?

It is called your BMR and there is a calculator here on MFP: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

Great shots Hikergirl! It's been crazy cold hasn't it?

@HikerGirl - This was my longest hike yet (and one of my goals for this hiking season). By the time we got to the top of the gap, and after the trauma (to me anyway, lol) of getting over the last stretch of snow, I didn't have a lot left to go any higher. But I could see others heading up that way, and kind of, almost,…

Yesterday, we hiked along the Wonderland Trail to Panhandle Gap in Mt. Rainier National Park. It was truly spectacular. Looking south towards Mt. Adams from Panhandle Gap Log bridge:

Hey FiftySix! I have two(!) day packs. Both are Ospreys. I can't remember the size offhand, but the larger of the two (and the one I use most in summer) has room for a water bladder - a Platypus - which at first I wasn't sure about, but now can't live without - much, much easier than messing with water bottles. Like…

I've found that high intensity interval training twice a week has really helped increase my endurance on trails with major elevation gain. And using a a treadmill at high incline (try to not hold onto the rails) and a stair master have also helped.

@FiftySixFit. I used to live farther south along that section of the AT - near Charlottesville, VA. Pretty country!

LOL. Well done Hiker Girl! Great pics. I hope to do that hike some day.

These weekend we hiked to Goat Lake along Elliot Creek - ten miles round trip - off the Mountain Loop Highway in WA state. Streams and waterfalls were running really high with snowmelt. A beautiful day! Goat Lake: McIntosh Falls: Yellow Violets:

@HikerGirl - Twin Falls is one of my favorite "little" hikes. We were there just last week. Great photos.

Hikergirl - looks like you had a great weekend. I love the sunrise photo. And it's always great to see dog pics! Yours look like sweethearts.

@Hikergirl - Nice photos! Looks like a lot of snow up there! You dog looks like a sweetie.