5 age-defying travellers who tackle the world’s toughest challenges

The Japanese skier summitted Mount Everest at the sprightly age of 80 in 2013 – the oldest to do so. It was his third successful climb: he was 70 on his first ascent.

Most of us wouldn’t attempt surviving below -40°C, but while aboard the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker Yamal, American traveller Dorothy did just that to reach the North Pole at the grand old age of 89 in 2004.

Sailing solo around the planet is impressive, but doing it another seven times? In 2011, this Japanese yachtsman became the oldest person to achieve eight circumnavigations, aged 77.

Completing the USA’s 3,500km Appalachian Trail is no mean feat in itself but Nan did in 2014 and – at 74 years old – is the oldest woman to finish it.

Most people drive or take the Eurostar but, at 73 years old, this South African retiree – a former surgeon – became the oldest person to swim the 34km English Channel in 2014.

(Shutterstock)

Mention the word ‘adventurer’ and the stereotypical image of an excited 20-something usually springs to most people’s minds. But just how accurate is it?

Not very, according to 74-year-old Hilary Bradt, ardent adventure-seeker and founder of Bradt Travel Guides, which has just publishedTo Oldly Go, a collection of stories written by travellers over 60. “Older people have both time and money to travel,” she explains. “They don’t want consumer goods; they want experiences and you get that best through travel.”

The book itself features 41 tales of retirees doing everything from traversing the Atlas Mountains, to a solo cycle around the world. One contributor, Hazel Pennington, who tackled a via ferrata in the Dolomites, says it’s the realisation that life isn’t forever that spurs on older explorers. “It makes us want to get to those places we’ve always meant to. I suspect that in my last days I’ll be glad I took a few risks rather than staying safely at home.”

But are there more risks with leaving these kind of adventures until later in life? “It’s vital to have travel insurance – one that covers pre-exisiting medical conditions, which can be more expensive,” advises Jennie Carr of SilverTravelAdvisor.com. You’ll also need to be aware of age limits on some trips and you may well have physical constraints, such as no longer feeling comfortable being cramped into a crowded train for hours.

But the benefits of silver travel can be huge, from the obvious discounts on public transport and attractions, to feeling more confident. “As a woman alone you are respected rather than hassled,” says Hilary, “and your life experience enables you to judge risk. You are likely to be comfortable inside your skin and less prone to anxiety or depression, and you know what you like doing. And do it.”

So if you’re retired, swap your slippers for walking boots and, if you’re unlucky enough to still be too young to have fun, know that there’s still myriad adventures around the corner.


Main image: Age-defying traveller (Shutterstock)