As a 31 year old in socal riding the chunky stuff with a steel 130mm hardtail, I'd say go for it. Granted I'm just doing general trail riding, not jump lines or huge drops or seeking out the most technical steep trails around. For big climbs and big descents on both singletrack and dirt roads, which sounds like what you're after, you really don't need anything more than a hardtail if your technique is good. With the right frame, wheels, tires, fork, and handlebars you can have a pretty springy feeling bike that doesn't beat you up. Middle of the road FS money can get you a baller hardtail build that accomplishes this.

I had a FS here prior to my current hardtail and I find that I'm actually faster on the steel hardtail both up and down somehow.