I have been doing a lot of hiking in the past 12 years. Now in my mid 60's my wife is worried I am going to wear out my knees. But a study I read showed that every step pushes toxins out of your cartilage, then when you lift your leg fresh blood gets sucked in with nutrients. This pumping action is healing for the cartilage and makes it last longer. So it actually helps your knees. Since one of the biggest problems as we grow old is degradation of the cartilage I think this is very important.

Hiking is my number one favorite physical activity. I’m 60 now and have lost 20 pds, hike five miles a day, or almost everyday. And you know what, it has improved my balance, which makes sense navigating rocks and boulders, etc. Great job guys. Hang in there too Elise, we are all pulling for you!

Another reason for us hikers to live longer…anticipation of watching your excellent weekly hiking/adventure videos…for another 50 years!

I left the military in 2014 and ballooned from 220 to 275 pounds in 2021. I started walking in July 2021 and a couple months later started rucking with 30-45 pounds. Since then, I’ve lost 70 pounds and carry loads up to 100 pounds for 5-10 miles, 5-6 days/week. No real strength loss either. I’m 39 now and haven’t been in this kind of shape since my early 20’s. The benefits from hiking/rucking and hill walking/sprinting are unmatched. I’m not a runner, but can now run a sub 6 minute mile if needed. I can run a sub 8 minute mile with 30 pounds. The worst of my injuries in 18 months of rucking have only been stress fractures in my foot. I have really flat feet. I wear an ankle and foot compression garment and keep my calcium intake high and have no issues. You’d be hard pressed to find a better outdoor activity than hiking.

For me, hiking is so great for me. I love the nature, I love the quiet. I also love the ability to achieve something that is hard. As a nurse I see people that have disabilities. I think of them on trail. At the end of a day hiking, I feel so great and fully appreciate that I am still able to. I love you guys ❤️👨‍🦼

Great Vid:, I'm 81 and hike to Skull rock (Temescal) at least monthly. You keep me inspired.

This is why I wish I didn’t live in a state where there’s hardly any sun and it’s winter 6 months out of the year. I love hiking so much but I despise the cold. In the summer/fall I’m always hiking. I hope you guys live to 100 ❤️

Walking is great! Its underrated. I think its superior to running as it is low impact. Long life is great but even more important is to have a happy and long life!

Walking is good for your back. Soon you’ll be back running the trails, climbing and enjoying sufferfests! So glad you are back and with great advise. I am almost 75 and will be hiking, biking, swimming and using the rebounder until I am no longer on this planet. All makes you feel great, physically, mentally and spiritually. Thank you guys! You rock!!

The videos edited in were amazing shots. 👏

I've had an incredible summer ☀️, finally catching up with your videos. Congratulations 👏 on your wedding vows. I'll miss you two when you leave from America 🇺🇸.

Good to see you again after a break and great to hear about real research on benefits of hiking

Cool Episode, Loved the Content and material. Long Live Hiking ! Cheers to you both 🌲🌲🌠

Thank you so much for your videos, they inspire me to do more.

Glad to see your health improving. Keep your spirits up on the journey back! 👍💪

best way to maintain peace of mind...cardio ...if u r always active u will stay active ,,great video...

I 100% believe this.. I track my BP because it was elevated (rough patch in life, stopped exercising and hiking, gained weight is some of what caused it), it is now normal.. however, life got busy and I couldn’t make my weekly hike for 3 weeks and my BP went up by 5 points 🤷🏻‍♂️… I’m getting back on the trail! Thank you Adam and Elise for bringing awareness to health, mental, and spiritual benefits of hiking.. I will also be adding Shinrin-yoku to my hikes!

You guys are great. Thanks! Happy Healthy Hiking New Year!

Thanks for all that you do! We are so happy to hear that you, Elise, are slowly healing and feeling a little better. My 5 year old has fallen in love with hiking, and your videos have inspired some future trails! We went to Bryce Canyon this spring due to your visit there . . . Anyway, she has hiked 465 miles in the past 18 months, and loves watching your channel! ❤

Oh totally true, all of it. I was fired at 59 from a job I started at 29 (insubordination, very proud of that actually 😂-long story), and while at first devastated, quickly found it to be a massive gift. Ten years and 1000s of miles later, I’m thinner, stronger, happier, plus my hair loss has abated and it hasn’t gotten any grayer! No man in my family has ever lived past 50, so at 69 I feel I’m way out there. Why? Dog and I hike at least 5 days a week. Peace. Tranquility. Fitness. Lower blood pressure-all of that. ANd bonus on days like today: 10# edible mushrooms and a soak in a hot spring afterward! Figure out a way to quit working, get rid of a bunch of stuff, dump your baggage (of all kinds!), and get on to LIVING! Life is great. Love your channel.

What an amazing hike! Matlock Lake is gorgeous. Aren't we blessed to live relatively close to the Sierra, which I think is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Can't wait to see your next adventure.

Adam - one more thing - my mom died several years ago at 88 and my dad just turned 99 and it is all about the genes - but believe me you want to be fit at 100 and not creeping around a health care facility so keep up the hiking

Oo ray your back. Miss you two.👍

GREAT TO SEE YOU OUT THERE AGAIN! I was worried about you,

So glad you're back. Missed you while you were gone!

With the amount of conditioning, hiking, diet & the tremendous amount of love & respect you have for each other, you’ll both live way past 100. Happy Holidays🎃 🍁🎄🎊

Wow, stunning upload folks. Scenery is outstanding 🔥🔥🔥

Thanks for the video Guys. I just came back from vacation, when I did a lot of hiking in my hometown Venezuela (Cordillera de los Andes), more like a walk/run style, but I considered a hike activity lol. Definitely, the contact with the Mother Nature gives you a sense of live!

Forrest bathing, yes, I do that, There's a little spot up in the hills where there's a slight trickle, it's cool and plenty of Forrest, it's a good place to sit for a couple of hours,in the shade of an old gumtree and watch the koalas to while the scrub wrens hop over your shoes, and the fairy wrens play in the black berries, and the marsupial mice ruffle among the leaves, I went there several times over lockdown, and came out better for it

Hi, you two! So glad you resurfaced! You absolutely nailed it! I try to go hiking once a week with my buddy and whether it's really hot or really cold (which is hardly ever here in Southern Cal), it does so much to our overall health as you mentioned: physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. I'm 75 and my buddy is 79 and I can hardly keep up with him! But when we're on the trails every week we are just so appreciative of the fact that we are still able to be OUTSIDE walking up steep hills while sucking wind! And you're right, every outdoor adventure doesn't have to be an overnighter carrying a loaded backpack. And see, even with a back problem you can still go outside. That's a lesson for all of us . . . Know your limits and do what you can to have an enjoyable outdoor experience! Take care!

Glad to see you back, bad pun. I enjoy all your videos even though jumping on rocks and ledges makes me nervous. I no longer worry that I can't do what I once did, I just keep doing something. Take care and have fun.

Amazing, my dear friends ! 🙂

Adam, if I were married to Elise, I'd want to live to 100 too... I went 8.5 miles last Saturday on a beautiful hike in MN. Have a great day! MN Dave

It is quite easy, you go for a hike, walk or bicycle ride and you feel better.

Jip, VO2 max maximisation& slowing down the rate of sarcopenia is vital to longevity. I like it that you combine it with the spiritual aspect: most people understand what your soul dimension entails. But,very few have a clue what is meant by "spirit"... if that dimension is "dormant" you still lack a lot. Coincidentally I see you mention "145" case studies. I've been writing a book for many years, and the title is a number:145. The main focus of the book is what it entails to live out your redemptive purpose. Part of the puzzle is the answer to the question "What is the answer to life, the universe and everything"? (Originally asked by Douglas Adams).

I completely agree with everything you said. And I hope many people watch this important video. I have a friend who loves hiking, and he's 90 years old. We walked around Convict Lake earlier this summer. He's on track to live to 100 and longer! I wish Adam and Elise a long healthy life!

ELISE and ADAM, a good morning from France. What a pleasure to see you again on the Web, you are a source of inspiration, and it helps to become aware of the benefits of hiking. I am 66 years old, and thanks to you I will resume a progressive activity. I couldn't make up my mind, but your advice and good mood push me to try. Many thanks to both of you. I hope ELISE recovers quickly, I look forward to seeing you on the paths again, and I will not fail to follow your new adventures. Good recovery to ELISE, many apologies for the translation, kisses to both of you. DAN. ELISE et ADAM, un bonjour de France. Quel plaisir de vous revoir sur le Web, vous êtes une source d’inspiration, et ça aide à prendre conscience des bienfaits de la randonnée. J’ai 66 ans, et grâce à vous je vais reprendre une activité progressive. Je n’arrivais pas à me décider, mais vos conseilles et votre bonne humeur me poussent à essayer. Grand merci à vous deux. J’espère que ELISE va se remettre rapidement, j’ai hâte de vous revoir sur les chemins, et je ne manquerai pas de suivre vos nouvelles aventures. Bon rétablissement à ELISE, milles excuses pour la traduction, bises à vous deux. DAN.

It's good to see you walking a trail again, Elise! Hoping your back troubles are subsiding - or, better, cured! Good on both of you for getting out there - and thanks for all the encouragement!

Love this! I've thought about longevity a lot as I've watch some of the videos online about the so-called Blue Zones where some people live a much longer life. It certainly is a mix of mental health, diet, and exercise. The two things that seem to be important are (beside diet): have a purpose, whatever that means to you. And, it seems like if the exercise is walking or hiking, hills are involved. Hills provide both the cardio workout plus lower-body strength training. Oh, and red wine probably helps too. 🍷🍷

You guys are 100% correct! We admire your extreme ability to push your limits and not give up! We moved to a tiny town in Idaho from Colorado a year ago and nobody hikes here. They sit on the riverbanks and fish all day or float down it on inner tubes with huge coolers full of beer or roast a whole pig at their barbecue. We are not ready to live in a van down by the river. 😃We need a flagger in the grocery store aisles here because sometimes you just have to wait for the wide load to pass if you know what I mean. It rains a lot in the winter, so we are creating our on gym. You two are lucky in sunny LA! Every time it rains, we are jealous sitting inside watching Mr. & Mrs. Terminator happily hiking 20+ miles while smiling the whole way! Anyway, thanks for being such an inspiration to a retired couple who love the wilderness adventures!

I love this video! 🫶🏻

missed you guys

Thanks for the Video, Your faces in the end also made me smile. And i noticed myself, that my mood got better after successfully climbing some Via Ferrate Level C in the Dolomites with better technique. Unfortunately here at Bremen there are no mountains, the highest "peak" is the local landfill ;-) Anyway, thanks for the inspiration, i will do a bicycle trip to my mum tomorrow.

I love hiking! It is so good for my mind body and soul! Did Cuyamaca Mt and Volcan Mt here in San Diego last weekend and this morning I’m hiking Mt Baldy! I also just bought a sweatshirt that says “another weekend another mountain” I don’t really need another swaetshirt but I needed this one lol 😂. Hoping for a quick recovery for you Elise!

Some good advice heer I'm 63 been a taxi driver for 30+years walk about 4 miles most Days and hike in Bonnie Scotland one day a week at my age you have to keep Active I wish you both well for your journey ahead aw the best noo

Congrats on hitting 30K subscribers!! Totally agree that I feel much better and for a longer period when exercising outside. I know from research pop tarts do extend longevity😊

love, I bumped into a 70 + year old on a mountain the other day and had a chat with him, he said he was seeing what him and his wife were still capable of, I told him how inspiring and motivating it was, it was a lovely moment

Excellent Points Guys!!! I hope to be hiking well into my Golden Years. (knock wood). Elise...great to so you on the trail again!!! Feeling stronger I hope

Very good article with scientific data. I live in a city in Brasil 80 km from Rio de Janeiro called Teresópolis (do a search). Here we have many trails (3 different parks) for all levels and tastes. Lots of climbing too for those who like it. I agree 100% with what you say. Keep hiking and bringing good content. Hugs from Brasil !

Totally agreed! My husband and I LOVE hiking. And the best thing to do is be outside in nature seeing all that God created. There's nothing like it! I think it's as close to Heaven as we'll get here on Earth. Especially at the top of a mountain peak! ⛰ Blessings to you both! Thanks for being such an inspiration. 💕

I really liked this video! Curious if you wouldn't mind linking the studies you showed. I recently finished a Grand Canyon R2R dayhike (inspired by yours last year) and the endorphin rush cresting Bright Angel trailhead at the end of the hike... I couldn't stop grinning for hours. I feel physically and mentally alive and awake after a hard hike; it's addictive. And I don't have to go to the Grand Canyon; I can walk out my front door in San Diego and access a dozen miles of urban trails within half a mile of my doorstep. Ten early morning miles on those feels great too! Worth mentioning that it will not only help you live longer, but weight bearing exercise keeps you active, helps stave off arthritis and other conditions that reduce mobility. (Contrary to popular myth, hiking, walking, and jogging *improve* joint health and longevity.) I recently attended a Scout backpacking training for my son's troop and the guys conducting the training were all in their mid-high 70s; all accomplished thru-hikers still putting hundreds of miles of wear on their shoes every year. That's the retirement I'm shooting for.

Every point you made in this video is true and accurate. I am in my late 60's and have used many types of exercise to stay in shape. Over the past 10 years or so I have been either walking locally or hiking in nature, not because I'm getting older but because I have arrived at the same realizations and conclusions you make in this video. Hiking is overall the best form of exercise! In addition it's probably the easiest form of exercise to motivate yourself to do consistently. That's because it's flat out fun to be out interacting with nature and getting a great whole body workout and all associated benefits at the same time! It's almost a self perpetuating activity. Thank you for the video!

Totally agree with this video. And it's good to know that Adam is not the only person obsessed with getting to 100. Hiking is great for the mindset, I have depression and the amount of times I have cleared my head in the bush is plenty. But buggered if I'll ever jump in water colder than 15 degrees celsius (not sure what that is in your scale haha)

Hiking and music go great together, mentally,physically,and emotionally and spiritually (I say my prayers when I walk)

We're moving from Pacific Palisades to Bavaria this week! Getting nostalgic already seeing you guys in the sm mountains. Love your videos, always felt close to y'all due to similar life goals with my wife and I.

After a mostly 20+ year absence from really hiking, raising 3 children, I got started again in late July 2021. What started out as a few easy day hikes turned into an addiction. I'm 57 my hubby 52. We live an hour away from RMNP and we hike every week, often two or three times. Also hike in the wilderness areas surrounding RMNP. For me, over 350 miles and over 70,000 ft of elevation gain in 34 hikes including 5 BP trips just this year 2022. I can't believe the health benefits and most importantly the mental benefits. Thank you both so much for sharing this most important information and for sharing the beauty of exploring. I've lost 20lbs in two seasons of hiking.🥳🥾💙

i enjoy the energy that u create in your videos I try to hike 6 miles a day and i'm 70 years old 😊😊😊

Great topic! Adam and Elise you are both so inspiring and motivating! Couple years ago my fiancee and I were hiking our most fave trail in Plumas Nat Forest (Jameson Lake trail) and passed an elderly couple, had to be in their 80s.. slow and dependent on trekking poles but doing it! I think of them often, life goals!!

Great topic. I always feel both mental and health benefits from hiking and climbing. Especially when my pre-retirement life starts to fill up with too many stressors. Can't wait to make this lifestyle my full time passion.

I got to hike with Adam to the beach and back on 8/7. You guys rock!!!

Truth…….over doing it, especially as we age can be very stressful and counter productive. LSD long Slow Distance, with healthy self awareness and boundaries. Not into sufferfesting.

Great to see you all again! 😊. Great video, I’m a believer, been hiking for 45+ years, doing great. One change for me is because I’ve had Melanoma, I’ve adapted to long sleeve UPF 50+ clothing, and constant sunscreen (and vitamin D supplements). Hope to run into you both one day on the trails. Take care, 🤗 Paul

Absolutely love this video! Makes so much sense to me and feels so aligned with the module we see in in my holistic medicine and modalities course - nature based medicine! All things ecotherapy, herbalism, naturopathy, homeopathy, etc. I will definitely report back after our forest bathing in two weeks! Maybe we can all do it together at some point 😍

Daily movement.

Excellent topic! Take-aways: Use it or lose it......dipping your spouse in icy water is actually a thing........pop tarts have now been linked to scientific studies showing longevity. In all seriousness; couldn't agree with you more on all aspects of this. I think it's important to get after it, stay after it, and disregard age.

Definitely a plus to one's healthy state of mind ... We crossed rivers and streams, and forests kissed by fire. We trekked steadily upwards, climbing higher and higher. And just when we thought that gravity prevailed, We reached a lofty summit; breathed in and exhaled. And then … oh, then … we gazed out toward a view Indescribably grand, but captured by few. Snowcapped peaks extending to horizons afar, Dancing slowly in shadows and rays from a star. And in that simple moment, precious and fleeting, We looked into infinity, our hearts deeply beating. No words would be spoken. There was simply no need. Our minds were at peace. Our souls lifted and freed.

I've been more of a dreamer than a doer but I'm going to do the first 700 miles of the PCT next year! Love to try and do the whole thing but family stuff just won't allow it. Can't wait!

I loved this! My wife has said some of the same things with regards to the health effects of being outside. She cannot hike anymore, but the benefit of getting her a mobility scooter so we could do rail trails was AMAZING.

The best view comes from hardest hike ! Thanks for video guys ,,☺️☺️☺️

I'm glad to hear that we are "stuck with you" for a long time! Though be careful, Adam: I hear that one box of pop tarts can reduce your life expectancy by as much as 6 months! 😂😉

You 2 are awesome! Interesting video. I've been in an intense grad school program for about the last 3 years so haven't been able to hike as much as I was beforehand. I have noticed negative impacts on my physical health due to it. It really seems that hiking is basically just in my DNA and my lifestyle over the last 3 years has been lacking in hiking. I graduate at the end of the year and look forward to dropping the text books and getting back out on the trails lol.

Loaded with good information. Nothing surprising in what you discussed. Moving is important and I say that as a 76 year old tennis player, table tennis and hiker since an early age. I agree being social is an important part of healthy living.

Thanks for sharing all those wonderful facts about hiking! I'd like to suggest you guys take a look into the extraordinary health benefits of a plant-based diet. I'm able to hike now because I stopped eating animal products and the health benefits are endless. It's also best for our environment and of course best for our animal friends. ✌💚

I Couldn't agree more with those findings! I do a daily hike after work thats 1100 vertical feet gain and 2.2 miles round trip. I tell people that hiking regularly certainly helps you physically, emotionally, mentally, along with sleeping better. In short it helps free your mind so your arse will follow. ;-) 🏃‍♂️💨

The Adam photos laying in Sun were awesome, hikers who nap live longer than those who don't.

I love this! I’m personally going for 108 years old❤🎉 Hey have you done rim to rim in the Grand Canyon? That’s my next big one!

Inspirational

Skiing, both cross country and alpine, probably provides many of the same benefits, getting outside in the sun and fresh air, cardio, balance and weight bearing exercise, a chance to socialize with friends. As the days get shorter and we start spending more and more time indoors during the winter months I think SAD can become a real problem. But I can’t imagine anyone feeling sad while whooshing down a mountain at 40 mph on a cold crisp sunny winters day. And I agree with Adam, the vitamin D production while being outside during winter can be invaluable to your health and well being.

Hi there guys! So glad to see you. This one you hit right square on the nail head. I’ve been hiking all my life from a very young age and I’m now 74 and it’s still a daily routine for me to hike my walking trail each morning on my acreage where I live. It’s about a half mile loop and I shoot for 3 to 5 miles each morning depending on what else I have planned for the day. I aim for 10000 steps a day which seems to be about right for my physical well being. Highly recommend it for all the reasons you guys so eloquently presented. Praying Elise for your complete recovery! Love you guys and thanks for sharing! ❤️

Hey Elise! Back problems are awful. Hope your PT knows Mackenzie Manual Therapy. My wife was a PT for 23 years and became very good with this technique. Bulging disk responds well to this. Little hard if the disk is lateral. Hope you feel better soon! And agree about the hiking benefits. Too bad I live in Illinois.

mountain biking hits all the arguments you made, so hiking being the best activity.....

I think u live longer if u have a life that is full. I was able to semi-retire at 48 and now hiking, photography and Crossfit are my life (and my 1 yr old grandson). Now lets look at the extreme opposite of that. I have a friend of a friend that drank himself to death, he literally passed away yesterday. He was the same age as me but when he was dying in the hospital, I was in Yosemite. Choose your life! Here we have an example of two men the same age, one who waisted his life and the other who chose to live it. His life was empty, without value and purpose. Now trust me, I have my demons. There is no reason in the world I shouldnt be in prison for the rest of my life. I just made it out of my addiction one step at a time. Some of us fall down a mountain and never get up, others like me climb mountains

Woohoooo.. long live hikers!

Reminds us we need to move closer to the mountains! Not much down here in south Florida 😮‍💨

Having just returned from 6 weeks of hiking in and around the Las Vegas area...I truly believe that hiking and climbing is the fountain of youth. The spiritual aspect cannot be stated enough. There's just a feeling I get went out in nature. Sending healing vibes to Elise for a quicker recovery! I hope to see you both on the trails soon! :-)

Boom! 💯💯🔥🔥

Very cool to jump in freezing water! 🥶

M.J. Eberhart (Nimblewill Nomad) took up hiking/backpacking (I think in his 60’s) to improve his health…. And went on to hike to be the oldest man to hike the Appalachian trail at 83 years old. (I think, I’m not sure where I heard that he took up hiking to improve his health)

I believe you both.. It's just show.. 🤞😘

Good morning

How is your back disc rehab going? It's taken me almost 2 years to fix my back, I don't have a slipped disc I have the world's tightest psoas, hip flexors, quads, IT band etc. I was doing 43 stretches, it fixed the problem... removed about 20 of those then the problem came back... added 1... added another etc until I found what fixed mine completely... just a week ago. You should do the same on top of any doctor recommendations or treatments. I feel it is a blessing to deal with this now vs at 80 years old it would be very challenging maybe unachievable.

I just keep staring at the painting between you.

Go easy on the uber dicey snack spots Adam and you'll DEFO reach 100 sir!😀

30K woo hoo!

Question. We live in one of those areas that has 4 seasons. Is there any research that indicates the effect of colder or warmer weather on the benefits you mentioned?

Vitamin D.I hear you can get it from turning the brightness up on your monitor-but only if its 4k or better 😉

Don't overlook the affects of less technology while hiking, and as a side affect, less stress. ;-) Being in the gym doesn't equal less technology.

Can you compare this to running? I love hiking, but getting more serious about running, jump-started my fitness and climbing ability.

And while you were gone I started following DrDisrespect and Ninja. I hold you two personally responsible.

Hi Guys, how much hiking makes you a hiker. 1 per Week? But how many miles? ... Also, you forgot another benefit. Hiking makes you look good. Sun tanned and a full body workout.