I am 40 and 100% solo field and office.
Starting to "feel it".
How much longer do I have, 30 or 40 more years?
Any tricks or suggestions?
A week from next Tuesday will be long enough.
It's all in the mind, not the body.
I'm 48 an still chugging along. I was solo for about the last year and a half. I'm back working with a crew now, when there's work that is.
RRain
Look toward Kent, Radu, Sir Derek, ....
I'm only solo part of the time -- generally when my part-time assistant's other job conflicts with my field schedule -- but at 57 I greatly appreciate having that second pair of hands around. Going back and forth between a 1- and 2-man crew keeps me aware of the many things that I get done while my assistant is moving the gun ahead and getting set up. And how much lighter the pole is without the data collector, and how I'm moving to the next shot while he's entering the description, and how much faster leveling goes, and how I might live longer with him watching traffic while I open manholes.
I don't think I want to go 100% solo, but it's nice to know that I can still do it when necessary.
I'm 40 and have almost 10 years strictly Solo. I'm feeling it more on some days than others. Boundary and stakeout are still fine. But chopping line in Virginia's heat and humidity burned me out this summer. There was a few times when I was out there and would start to yawn and get chills even though I was covered in sweat and panting. You just have to watch for the signs when you're reaching your limitations and head to the Suburban for the AC and call it a day.
I'm figuring about another 15 to 20 years like this. Then I'll semi-retire and spend summers in Southeast Alaska.
48 Here.
Ditto Re: summer sucks, 77 days over 90 here in Charlotte. Should be gravy now until next June/July.
Keep fit and you can rock it out until you decide you've had enough.
Deral isn't married. Does that count?
I think the best place for an old solo would be in the open-skied, 4 wheeler-friendly, treeless part of the American West.
It's hard on an old guy in tree country; hauling all your gear on your back out into the woods, and cutting line.
But it would appeal to me to be old and have 2 coolies to follow my directions while in the field.
After reading those post. Please don't tell me that at 58 I win
I am 52, work about 90 hours a week in the office and field.
That is just about right after a couple of years of slow times.
Right now, its probably 70 hours in the field and 20 in the office.
Feels dang good.
Randy
I guess I'm the oldest at 60. I hump the knobs and hills in Kentucky completely solo...makes a man out of you....
I think Bruce Small is probably the oldest, that I know of....
He used to post to "the old board"
Bruce Small takes cake for age. As for longevity of
true solo surveying at 64 soon I have been truly solo surveying since Leica released their first solo set up rig in 1999.
RADU
Only 53, and have 8 years of solo surveying with my wife helping out on occasion.
I get sore, I get that "beat up' feeling, and it hurts to move, but that's mostly from my hobbies!
65 been completly solo for the last five years. But couldn't do it every day.
Bob
> I am 40 and 100% solo field and office.
>
> Starting to "feel it".
>
> How much longer do I have, 30 or 40 more years?
>
> Any tricks or suggestions?
PUP.
68, wife runs the gun and I do the rest.
jud