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| Early Geezer shot |
I don't recall who first called our backpacking trips “geezer trips,” but I do know it was Susan Sanford who made the Sierra Geezer t-shirts some years ago. Since it was a while ago, owning one of these shirts is now a mark of prestige. Over the years I think this term geezer has come to represent to us, not an age, but a philosophy of walking in the woods where we try to slow down a little and “being there,” not “getting there” is our goal. Michael Stanfield and I really epitomized this on a short trip to Chilnualna Falls one June. We were so involved taking pictures and gazing at the country that it must have taken us four or five hours to go four miles. Michael referred to our pace as a “geezer gait” and it stuck in my mind as a good name for this annual letter. Just a personal note, I have been wondering, since I will reach one of those seminal ages this summer, if there is an age when “official geezerdom” sets in?
As usual, the trips we have put together for each summer and fall are quite varied and are a compilation of ideas from a number of people. I am always excited about the possibilities for these trips, especially if they approach the success of previous trips. Spending time planning and putting these together is such a pleasure when you get to look forward to sharing time in the back country with a great group of people.
I think we all need to step away from the artificial frenzy of urban life occasionally and move at a more leisurely “geezer pace.” Nature has a way of clearing the mind and refreshing, or testing, the body that is to be treasured.
Rolland Carlson
Rolland Carlson
