At 30, am I too old for adventure/backpacking?
May 31st, 2015, 01:27 PM
#1
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At 30, am I too old for adventure/backpacking?
I missed out on a lot of adventures and backpacking experiences I could've had in my twenties due to mental illness and chronic illness. Now that they're in 'remission', I'm ready to pack my bags and go but I keep having this nagging doubt at the back of my head that I'm too old for this- especially as a first timer. Can anyone over 30 chime in with some advice?
May 31st, 2015, 03:48 PM
#2
Do you mean vacationing or more long term backpacking/trekking?
The reason most long term backpackers (2 months to year+ trips) are young is because they don't have careers/responsibilities back home -- often during their university gap years. But other than those sorts of issues, no - one doesn't have to be young.
If you are just talking about normal vacations but using backpacks, staying in hostels, overnight trains and buses -- that sort of thing . . . people of all ages do that. Mostly depends on what level of comfort/luxury you want.
So age really isn't a factor (most hostels take guests of any age) -- it is more what travel style fits you best.
The reason most long term backpackers (2 months to year+ trips) are young is because they don't have careers/responsibilities back home -- often during their university gap years. But other than those sorts of issues, no - one doesn't have to be young.
If you are just talking about normal vacations but using backpacks, staying in hostels, overnight trains and buses -- that sort of thing . . . people of all ages do that. Mostly depends on what level of comfort/luxury you want.
So age really isn't a factor (most hostels take guests of any age) -- it is more what travel style fits you best.
May 31st, 2015, 07:36 PM
#3
Please define adventure/backpacking.
If you mean multi-month trips with limited luggage, that describes my trips and I'm in my mid-late sixties. It's true I switched from an actual backpack to a wheeled bag a couple of years back, but I may switch back if I finally make it to Central Asia next year.
If you mean bungie jumping, sky diving, rapelling etc. etc., that's more a matter of how fit you are, and how much of an adrenaline junkie. I wouldn't have signed up for that in my twenties.
If you mean multi-month trips with limited luggage, that describes my trips and I'm in my mid-late sixties. It's true I switched from an actual backpack to a wheeled bag a couple of years back, but I may switch back if I finally make it to Central Asia next year.
If you mean bungie jumping, sky diving, rapelling etc. etc., that's more a matter of how fit you are, and how much of an adrenaline junkie. I wouldn't have signed up for that in my twenties.
May 31st, 2015, 07:48 PM
#4
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No, you are not too old. Circumstances other than your age may present obstacles--your financial situation, family responsibilities, career, health--but age in and of itself really is just a number.
Besides, you won't get any younger. Take it from me, one day you will look back at your thirty year old self and think, I was so young! Compared to an awful lot of people, you ARE young.
If you are ready to pack your bags and go, do it!
Besides, you won't get any younger. Take it from me, one day you will look back at your thirty year old self and think, I was so young! Compared to an awful lot of people, you ARE young.
If you are ready to pack your bags and go, do it!
May 31st, 2015, 08:22 PM
#5
Ditto: define backpacking. I'm guessing that you man spending a longish time traveling around someplace with a backpack, staying in hostels, dormitories, eating cheap in one of the well established backpacker routes in Europe, Latin America or Southeast Asia. By no means are you too old for that. Though mostly a younger crowd (maybe 20's), you'll find people from all age categories in that group.
If you mean wilderness backpacking, then as noted above it depends pretty much on your fitness level, and what you want to tackle. I'm 65 but have done quite a few tough wilderness trips in the last five years, carrying a full backpack with tent, food, sleeping gear, etc. for 6-9 days in rugged country.
That may say something about my intelligence, but knock-on-wood, I'm still physically fit enough. (The door is closing, though). So once again, 30 is nowhere near too old.
Good luck with your illness issues, and have fun hitting your road.
If you mean wilderness backpacking, then as noted above it depends pretty much on your fitness level, and what you want to tackle. I'm 65 but have done quite a few tough wilderness trips in the last five years, carrying a full backpack with tent, food, sleeping gear, etc. for 6-9 days in rugged country.
That may say something about my intelligence, but knock-on-wood, I'm still physically fit enough. (The door is closing, though). So once again, 30 is nowhere near too old.
Good luck with your illness issues, and have fun hitting your road.
Jun 1st, 2015, 06:52 PM
#6
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No need to miss out. We all do things when it is right for us. I am in my 70s and went snorkling and on a helicopter for the first time last year. Always wanted to, but timing and opportunity had not come together before.
If an open ended, long trip gives you nagging doubts, plan something shorter, say a month, and do a bit of research so you have transportation and hostels lined up for the beginning of the trip. That will give you some security and build up your confidence. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing experience.
Look at some other websites like Lonely Planet and Thorntree.
If an open ended, long trip gives you nagging doubts, plan something shorter, say a month, and do a bit of research so you have transportation and hostels lined up for the beginning of the trip. That will give you some security and build up your confidence. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing experience.
Look at some other websites like Lonely Planet and Thorntree.
Jun 2nd, 2015, 06:05 AM
#7
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Do It! You obviously regret not being able to do it in your 20s. Something tells me if you're 40 and still haven't done it, you would regret it.
Don't let your age dictate what you "should" or "shouldn't" do. Passions don't have an age limit.
Do some research, plan ahead, budget accordingly and have the time of your life.
Then post a trip report.
Don't let your age dictate what you "should" or "shouldn't" do. Passions don't have an age limit.
Do some research, plan ahead, budget accordingly and have the time of your life.
Then post a trip report.
Jun 3rd, 2015, 08:20 AM
#11
There are people who are retired (60+) who do backpacking trips. You might want to check out the forum over at Lonely Planet called The Thorn Tree. More backpackers there, than here on Fodor's.
