For 35 years I have gathered annually with a group of six women to backpack. We are now all in our 70’s and still get together every year to hike. It is a relationship like no other. I’ve just finished a manuscript about our adventures. We call ourselves Six Women Alone after an early encounter with a man, by himself, who remarked to us after we had hiked by him “Six women, alone?” When we started there weren’t many women hiking, but today it seems there are more women than men.
The ability to maintain friendships for that long is as magical as climbing and hiking the vast landscapes. And the perspective David offers is so valuable. I sense a deeper story will emerge over the next decade and I can’t wait to read it. These are some lucky men. I do hope their wives/partners are encouraging and appreciative of the relationships these men have created. It’s rare. It took me a few years but I’m finally at the place of supporting my husband on his annual spring hiking trip with his buddy. We are both richer for it.
I'm no hiker--but I love this story and how you express how much you mean to each other through these annual adventures. Keep at it, fellas. What beautiful, deep, and meaningful relationships you have. The stuff of life!
Write but no one uses the word “love”. Men can love each other whether gay or straight or in between. It has nothing to do with sex. Read my book. “Men as Friends”. I wrote it for men but women like it too.
From a long time member of the Ali Bali fan club, this is a fantastic read. An ode to friendship, life and the awe of being alive and present on this planet. Loved being there with the gang. Cheers to many more steps climbed and shots of scotch
Awesome story. Love the thought of college friends with inside jokes and stories tramping about in nature, through all the ups and downs of life. Sláinte!
This! Thank you ! We (our college cohort of five in ’69) sat around a fire with added warmth of barn hay and coonhounds and “talked about” doing this and what it would be like for us in 50!years.
We didn’t! But you did and you gave me a taste, an aroma, a tilted shot glass of what might have been.
Beautiful story, and so like my group of friends I’ve known for 50 years. We may not be able to repeat some of our travel traditions ( late nights, for one!) but we keep some as sacred. Coming together though we live far apart is the amazing bond that just gets stronger.
This is great. At first i thought OMG I’d find my pulmonologist <delungdoc> in the crowd. He has a similar annual event. But he’s in his 70’s. Still, it strikes me on two readings with only one good eye that the word “love” doesn’t appear in this wonderfully descriptive account. I wish these guys would pack paper-back versions of my book “Men as Friends” in their back packs next year but not start to read it until after they have a little scotch and say Ali Babi.
I have a group of five women friends who have been backpacking (now mostly just hiking) together for 35 years. We call ourselves Six Women Alone. It is a friendship like no other. I’ve just finished a manuscript about our experiences and relationships. We are all in our 70’s now.
I'm always admiring + a little envious of people who have friend groups that continue to gather year after year. Every such group I've been a part of fell apart. It's a really special thing to find people who will commit to such a tradition long-term.
Also, LOL: "Such was our discord that a climbing guide we once hired to lead us up a technical peak in Colorado suggested we no longer climb as a group. We ignored him."
Go all out, every time. You do not know which trip is the last one even when you are planning ahead for another trip. The best memories are the ones with buddies on an adventure.
For 35 years I have gathered annually with a group of six women to backpack. We are now all in our 70’s and still get together every year to hike. It is a relationship like no other. I’ve just finished a manuscript about our adventures. We call ourselves Six Women Alone after an early encounter with a man, by himself, who remarked to us after we had hiked by him “Six women, alone?” When we started there weren’t many women hiking, but today it seems there are more women than men.
And bravo to you too .. I'm nearly 80 ... Don't do the hiking, but still do the walking, in nature, hills are fine!!!
The ability to maintain friendships for that long is as magical as climbing and hiking the vast landscapes. And the perspective David offers is so valuable. I sense a deeper story will emerge over the next decade and I can’t wait to read it. These are some lucky men. I do hope their wives/partners are encouraging and appreciative of the relationships these men have created. It’s rare. It took me a few years but I’m finally at the place of supporting my husband on his annual spring hiking trip with his buddy. We are both richer for it.
Beautiful Susan. I too, can't wait to read more!
Read my book. “Men as Friends”. Women like it too. Then give it to your husband.
Thank you Irwin!
I'm no hiker--but I love this story and how you express how much you mean to each other through these annual adventures. Keep at it, fellas. What beautiful, deep, and meaningful relationships you have. The stuff of life!
yes, the stuff of life!
Write but no one uses the word “love”. Men can love each other whether gay or straight or in between. It has nothing to do with sex. Read my book. “Men as Friends”. I wrote it for men but women like it too.
From a long time member of the Ali Bali fan club, this is a fantastic read. An ode to friendship, life and the awe of being alive and present on this planet. Loved being there with the gang. Cheers to many more steps climbed and shots of scotch
Sign me up for that club, too! 💕
Awesome story. Love the thought of college friends with inside jokes and stories tramping about in nature, through all the ups and downs of life. Sláinte!
What a great story — here’s to you and all your friends! 🍻
This! Thank you ! We (our college cohort of five in ’69) sat around a fire with added warmth of barn hay and coonhounds and “talked about” doing this and what it would be like for us in 50!years.
We didn’t! But you did and you gave me a taste, an aroma, a tilted shot glass of what might have been.
Nice.
Beautiful story, and so like my group of friends I’ve known for 50 years. We may not be able to repeat some of our travel traditions ( late nights, for one!) but we keep some as sacred. Coming together though we live far apart is the amazing bond that just gets stronger.
This is great. At first i thought OMG I’d find my pulmonologist <delungdoc> in the crowd. He has a similar annual event. But he’s in his 70’s. Still, it strikes me on two readings with only one good eye that the word “love” doesn’t appear in this wonderfully descriptive account. I wish these guys would pack paper-back versions of my book “Men as Friends” in their back packs next year but not start to read it until after they have a little scotch and say Ali Babi.
I'll recommend it to them...
I have a group of five women friends who have been backpacking (now mostly just hiking) together for 35 years. We call ourselves Six Women Alone. It is a friendship like no other. I’ve just finished a manuscript about our experiences and relationships. We are all in our 70’s now.
How wonderful. Good luck with the book!
This is a great story! Wishing Ali Bali many more years together!!! 💚
Lovely. Thanks for sharing
I'm always admiring + a little envious of people who have friend groups that continue to gather year after year. Every such group I've been a part of fell apart. It's a really special thing to find people who will commit to such a tradition long-term.
Also, LOL: "Such was our discord that a climbing guide we once hired to lead us up a technical peak in Colorado suggested we no longer climb as a group. We ignored him."
Amazing….
Here is to my friend....I really am lucky!
https://michaeldorf.substack.com
"friends". :)
💕
Go all out, every time. You do not know which trip is the last one even when you are planning ahead for another trip. The best memories are the ones with buddies on an adventure.