Easy going, Charlie. Andy has said nothing callow but has only tried to advise according to his experience, which is excellent. Thus far you have had excellent advise from the good folks here at Guillemot. There are others here who are even older than you are so there is no point to playing up the old man sensibilities. We are all getting older here. I will be hitting 50 soon enough myself. Many of us here have spent many years splitting white water down to its basics. Andy has often given good advice and I don't see that he has made any errors yet. Give the man and inch and he'll share all of his experiences you need. Take what you want, leave the rest. I for one, ache all over the place and I, for one, will keep doing the crazy things I do till my body wears out. I gather you aren't done yet so heed the advice you read and take the best that suits you.

Welcome to the gang, Charlie, I think you must be new here since I don't recall you in the 9 years I have been with this group at this site.

Robert N Pruden
Edmonton, Canada