Hubert Noethen
83
Scottsdale, Arizona
Family: Married 61 years to Susan, 3 children, 3 grand children, 1 great grandchild
Sport: Hiking

If you have hiked Camelback Mountain in the last 40-plus years, you have likely seen or met Hubert Noethen, In 1960 Hubert (as he is commonly referred to) left the frosty winter weather of Worcester, Mass. and set his roots down with wife Susan in sunny Scottsdale.

“I was looking for things to do on an everyday basis between our weekend and summer hikes,” said Hubert. “I rode bicycles, did some running. I did not like gyms. I was not an inside person.”

With some trepidation, it was love at first hike on his inaugural ascent up Echo Canyon in Phoenix in the mid-to-late 60’s.

“At first I did not know if I should event try it. I got to the top in an hour and I was screaming [with excitement],” said Hubert.

After three months he was addicted. An artist and craftsman by profession, he could not wait for Saturday mornings. He wanted to climb.

“It kept my muscle memory,” said Hubert. “By climbing that mountain twice a week or more I could go on a hiking trip anytime. When friends called to go on a three day hiking trip in the Superstitions I was ready.”

He loves the physical activity and describes the mountain as a real chore. He says you can feel what it does for you. He would go on back packing trips for two or three months and he was always prepared.

He backpacked and hiked many places traversing trails  trails in  Arizona, Canada, Colorado, Utah, Sun Valley, Idaho, Glacier National Park and more. When asked about his favorite extended excursion, he said it was an easy question to answer.

His favorite is a 250 mile hike in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. From Yosemite National Park, they would approach and climb to the top of Mount Whitney, 14,505 feet (the tallest peak in the lower 48). It would take 26 days on the trail. He did that trip four times over a period of years.

When asked why he continues to frequent the Valley landmark; his response was straight forward.

“It makes me feel good,” said Hubert. “I wanted to see the peak, the rocks. I wanted to maintain a certain amount of capability to put on a 50-pound pack and go hike. It maintained my total physical ability to do anything. It has kept me healthy and still does.”

Hubert recently and reluctantly retired due to shifts in his industry not his age. He will be 84 in July. He is smart and does not want to take chances. He can still make it to the top of the mountain but chooses not to on his Saturday and Sunday morning hikes these days.

“I am slower whether I like it or not,” said Hubert.

He climbs for an hour to an hour and a half up with the intention of getting in two hours. He does not want to put in the four hours to get to the top.

“My muscles do not know if I get to the top, they know I have put in the two hours. It is the best kind of exercise there is to me.”

by Sue Berliner

Copyright SWEAT Magazine, All rights reserved.

Originally published 3/30/2010. Updated 6/5/11