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Old guy, fairly new to sport needs partners...

Original Post
Orphaned · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 11,560

Ok, maybe not that old (39). I grew up in Colorado but started climbing at the Gunks in NY only two years ago, what a sinner I am. Looking for climbers that can help me get better and enjoy climbing as much as I do regardless of difficulty. Currently I lead up to 5.5 fairly comfortably and can follow up to 5.7, haven't had the chance to test myself above 5.7 yet. Age and gender are not issues, I've climbed with older and younger males and females and it's all been fun. I have tons of gear, am very safe and am available evenings and weekends.
Thank you,
John
303-210-5111

joe rankin · · glenwood springs, co · Joined May 2008 · Points: 0

hey, john.
i live in laramie wy, and love climbing with old guys. i'm fairly new to climbing as well, and am needing a partner and some gear. i live very close to vedauwoo, which is a great climbing area. if you'd be willing to drive about 2hrs, i'd love to climb with you.
although i'm fairly new to climbing, i've had some excellent teachers/friends, so i feel like i know what i'm doing - as far as keeping myself and others safe - and have been climbing up to 5.8 pretty solid.

hope to hear from you...
joe

John McNamee · · Littleton, CO · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 1,690

Wow, you really know how to make me feel really old ... I'm 45 years young and figure I have at least 40 more years of climbing left in me!

Greg Speer · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 55

John,

I'm older than all of you. Climbing for a year but just this spring seriously getting outside. I've led sport 5.6 and followed 5.8. As for trad, I have yet to lead but followed 5.7. I have some good, experienced, partners and hope to progress steadily this summer. I'd be happy to meet you somewhere between Arvada and Fort Collins for some climbing. I've got a good array of gear but have not purchased my rope yet. I am free to climb during the week as well as weekends.

Greg

percious · · Bear Creek, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 1,190

John,

Howdy! We live in the same town. On wednesdays a couple of friends of mine and I get out for climbing in boulder/golden. You are welcome to join us. Abilities range, as do ages. I believe there is at least 1 other 39 y/o with the group. I'm the youngster at 29, but I have climbed with guys as old as 82! Not sure when 39 became old...

cheers.
-chris

Tom Hanson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 950

Oh you kids these days. I'm older than any of you and I'm looking for someone much older and mature than myself to go do some on-sight, trad, 5.12 FA's with this summer.

Lee Smith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 1,545

Tom Handsome,

I forget (old age) am I a few days older than you or the other way 'round? Doesn't matter, we all have many, many good years of pulling down left in us.

I was inspired by Fritz Wiessner climbing Wind Ridge at 82. Stim Bullitt was pulling down 5.12s at 82...and don't forget Donini, Becky, etc.....

Lee Smith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 1,545

Hey Chris,

What's on for this Weds.? Gonna be hot.

Lee

Tom Hanson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 950

Lee Sheftel sent 5.14 in Maple Canyon
Gene Larson put up 5.12 FA's in The Black Hills
The Herminator sends hard as a Rifle regular.
These guys are older than dirt.
Climbing is not a speed/reaction sport.
As long as you maintain a certain amount of flexibility, keep your finger strength high and weight low, there is no reason you can't crank hard well into old age.
Usually, the deterrent factor comes from a limited amount of time that one can devote to the sport.
If you have the time, you can do the climb.
Sure, there are some diminishing returns associated with getting on in age and recovery time is lengthened, but many of the limiting factors are mainly psychological, as long as you just get out there and do it.

Lee Smith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 1,545

I gotta say, Wiessner was a Badass. I climbed one of his routes in the Adirondacks that was rated 5.4, and it was HARD. I almost crapped my pants, and I was on TR. I think Wiessner soloed it.

Mike Pharris · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 125

Hey John, Chris,,,, others...

I'm in Arvada as well - work up in North Boulder. I can follow to 5.9, leading sport at 5.7, trad 5.5 - I need to work on the gear placement, selection. Always happy to hook up with some new folks on weekends and after work. I've had a couple of fairly regular partners, but one can never have too many climber buds.

my cell is 720-621-3456 or email me at mpharris at msn dot com

Bill Hutchins · · Bethesda, MD · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 0

Lee, Was that Wiessner "5.4" an off-width? He put up a bunch of 'em.

I am 60 and resumed rock climbing, at my daughter's urging, two summers ago after a 35 year layoff. [What do you mean I can't use my pitons?] I am thinking of spending the second half of July in the Tetons. If anyone is interested in joining me for some easy/moderate routes I would love to hear from you. I currently lead 5.7 at the Gunks. I did the Grand via the Petzoldt ridge in 1971 and would love to get back out into those beautiful mountains.

Bill Hutchins

Greg Speer · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 55

John,

I sent you a PM. By the way, another inspiring old climbing dude is Fred Beckey who is now in his 80's I think. His picture on the cover of Patagonia's catalog last summer was too cool.

Greg

Lee Smith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 1,545

Hey Bill, How ya doin'?

No, the Wiessner 5.4 was a slab climb with tiny little crimpers, easily rated 5.9 today.

Bill Hutchins · · Bethesda, MD · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 0

Lee, I am doing great. This retirement thing is wonderful! Since getting back from the wonderful trip to Red Rock, I have been climbing a lot, mostly in the Gunks. In a few minutes I leave to drive to NH to climb with my daughter for a couple of days. And I am trying to put together a Teton trip for July.

How about you?

My favorite Wiessner story comes from Ed Webster's guidebook to rock climbing in NH. Wiessner and Robert Underhill (legendary pioneer of climbing in the East and the Tetons) went out one day to try to establish a direct start to the Standard Route which Underhill had recently put in on Cathedral Ledge in North Conway. Wiessner found an off-width crack which he led up into Underhill's Standard Route. Underhill looked at the crack and, according to Webster, "declined to follow" it. Wiessner then asked if the rest of the route went up the long (400 foot) crack above. Underhill shouted up that "yes, it did." Whereupon, Wiessner untied the rope, dropped it down and soloed the rest of the crack.

When my daughter and I did that route last summer, I struggled with parts of the crack Wiessner soloed in 1930 something.

Bill

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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