Carol Corbridge, 61, Boomer, Backpacker
I started my backpacking career as a teenager, exploring Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco.Like many people, I backpacked maybe once a summer throughout my early adult life and then became busy with other things and eventually didn’t go at all.
In my forties, while managing my landscape construction business, I rediscovered the joys of the day hike:a shorter, easier form of wilderness experience.One thing lead to another and after a few years of weekend day hikes, backpacking became possible again.
I found backpacking the perfect retreat from cell phones and freeways.Being older and wanting to extend my years on the trail and improve the quality of those years, I proceeded to find the lightest most comfortable gear available.
Now I spend more than 60 nights in the wilderness under the stars each season.
Contact me at
ccorbridge4 at msn dot com
I love your site. Keep it up !
Carol,
I must be following in your footsteps! Now in my late-40’s I am once again returning to my love of backpacking after many years of inactivity.
Great site. Thanks!
Carol –
Enjoyed the Caldera Inferno video, did the water boil without adding additional wood?
–Glen
Hi Glen,
No, we continued to add wood to the fire through the opening below the pot. We could walk away for several minutes though and it would burn along fine. If the fire died way down, no problem. It would start right up again with the addition of most any sized wood. Easy.
The Caldera Inferno really cranks out the BTU’s that’s for sure.
Carol
Great site! Working on lightening my pack after the last trip left my hip hurting for a week. Almost 50 and I want to start my 2nd wind of back packing. Will try tarp next season.
(Would you have a copy of the Ray-way tarp book for sale or borrow?)
No I don’t have a loaner. It looks like your only option is to order the Tarp Kit here. Scroll down about have way. It comes with sewing instructions. That’s about all the book is anyway. This page also mentions the book (at the far bottom) as “temporarily out of stock”.
Nice to see more of us “older” ladies out there enjoying the trails. Love your blog.
Just discovered your site. I think that it is one of the best for content that I have seen. I too returned to backpacking about six years ago after a 25 year detour and at age 63 with knee problems I am always looking for ways to lighten the load. Keep up the good work.
Carol,
i was searching for a comparison between two stoves i own, the Bushbuddy Ultra (my fave too) and the Bushcooker LT and discovered your wonderful site. seems like a lot of us older gals have rediscovered their dearest wish – to be outside and really enjoy our lives.
thanks so much, and very best,
Donna
Aloha from Hawaii…..great site… keep it up.
Brian
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. A. h.f.t.3 o f you.
Do you hike alone? I like to hike and explore but I am frequently instructed that it is not safe to hike alone.
Hiking alone is certainly riskier than hiking with another person. especially if you hike in a remote little used area. I always thought my biggest risk is a minor injury that would effect my mobility. Like a twisted ankle. If you hike with a partner you have someone to go for help. Or, if you’re likely to encounter other hikers, they’re usually willing to offer assistance. I do still occasionally hiked alone in remote areas, but I’m extra careful and aware that a missed step could mean an unplanned overnight in the wilderness or worse.
Thank you for your reply and recommendation to choose thoughtful risks when hiking alone.