That’s the question I have been grappling with. I turned 56 years old a few days ago. Have I slowed down over the years? Have things seemingly gotten harder? Hell ya. Am I happy about that? Hard no.
Menopause has kicked my butt. Why it hit me so hard, who knows.
Am I giving up or giving in?
When I turned 55, I made a private challenge to myself to bag 55 back-country ski days, 55 summer treks, and write 55 trip reports. Some I nailed, and some I missed. The real success was in the doing. The real success was not giving in to menopause, and not slowing to a stop.
This video is meant to inspire anyone struggling to just keep going. I was inspired by Guide Helen Sovdat about 15 years ago, and I am so thankful that I heeded her wisdom and kept going.
Please share your struggles, and how you have persevered. We would all love to know your secrets! I hope you like this video – a year in the life of Alisen just trying to do her best.
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Alisen
I love all things mountains! I live next door to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, however I travel the world to enjoy the many different mountain environments and cultures that I can. I hope you enjoy these trip reports, and that it inspires you to accomplish your own adventure goals.
Alisen Dopf 
I.m not sure I got the intent of the question but I have a simple answer “HELL NO!”. Alisen Dopf is my hero and often think I wish I had her stamina. I’m 79 now and while taking a hike may require an ibuprofen or 2 it’s the adventure that makes it worth going on. My wife had a bad time with menopause some 20 years ago but she came out of it much stronger than when she went in. We both believe that to stop is to surrender. We will continue to look forward to your hiking reports 🙂