An article in usatoday last week listed several things to do that support longevity. If you plan on being around for the long haul you should exercise, learn new things, and eat right, according to the article.
Backpacking certainly keeps you in shape. Unless you want your trip to be a slow torture, it is wise to start preparing several week ahead of time. Walking, with a heavy pack on your back is the best way to get in tone. I throw an old pack on with a dumbbell weight in it for my morning walks. I notice this seems to affect my leg muscles more than my shoulders for the first few days.
Maintaining an active mental state is also a byproduct of backpacking. This is particularly true if you seek out new trails in unfamiliar mountain ranges each summary. The expectation and discovery as you top a pass or go around a bend, then suddenly come upon a gorgeous mountain valley laid out before you, is the ultimate in maintaining an active mental state.
Backpacking teaches you to be sharp and even-witted, and self-reliant, especially if you are inclined to take trips alone, since there will be noone to bail you out if a mishap occurs.
I can say without hestitation, that some of the best days of my life are when I had the physical and mental strength to hike high into a secluded mountain basin, then set up camp and spend several days exploring the gorgeous high paradise that is my adopted home. Life seems to slow down, days seem long and more intense, and the peace that comes when you lie down in the tent and fall asleep to the night sounds of the wilderness is worth all of it.
Now is a good time to start planning some mountain adventures. Don't put if off.
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