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Old people climbing

Dara · · Peep's republic · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 21
mediocre wrote: And dude, "old people" is not the proper nomenclature.
Neither is "dude" in this case. Ha ha! Apologies to any seniors I offended by using the term "old." I use it self-referentially a lot, but agree I shouldn't use it to describe others. Mea culpa.
Dara · · Peep's republic · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 21

And as long as we have a nice list going (and nobody else chimed in with his name) I have to mention Robert Kelman, the author of "Rock Climbing at Vedauvoo, Wyoming." At 84, he's still leading trad a couple of times a week in Boulder and the Voo, telling great stories, and teaching by example.

Ball · · Oakridge, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 70
mountainproject.com/u/darre…

Still projecting 12d
beensandbagged · · smallest state · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 0

A tip of the hat to George Hurley in North Conway who I believe is past 70 and still active, along with a number of older folks up there who are still climbing and doing new routes.

mediocre · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 0

The "Beckey still skis" comment made me think of a 98 year old local still skiing at Bachelor.

So being in my thirties, what I'm taking away from this thread is to drink plenty of booze and stay active?

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Mark Meschinelli is 60 and my hero.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

Rob Kelman who posts semi regularly here is in his 80's. Like 80 AD or something. Dude still speaks Latin. He wrote the guidebook to Vedauwoo that fanned my dreams when I was a kid.

Shumin Wu, isn't that guy like 90 or something?

Brenda Leach · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Sep 2004 · Points: 70

And, Rob Kelman is still climbing. He was climbing at Eldo today. Awesome!

Steve Jones · · Fayetteville WV, · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 105

We climbed behind Tom Hornbein on Spearhead a few weeks ago. He's going strong at 84 and as nice a guy as ever. Robin Houston(son of Charles Houston) was climbing with Tom. Made me feel like a kid at age 67.

Chris Bersbach · · Arroyo Grande, CA · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 356
mediocre wrote:And dude, "old people" is not the proper nomenclature.
Donny, you're out of your element.

(Also kind of surprised that no one has mentioned Bridwell.)

Woodson · · Park City, Ut. · Joined May 2009 · Points: 180

80 year olds dude..

Dallas R · · Traveling the USA · Joined May 2013 · Points: 191

I am not old-old, 59, just started climbing.

Lee Green · · Edmonton, Alberta · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 51
Dara wrote:Apologies to any seniors I offended by using the term "old." I use it self-referentially a lot, but agree I shouldn't use it to describe others. Mea culpa.
Lose no sleep over it. I'm an old dude (though not one sending 5.12 - I wish!) and that's how it is. No sense fearing to call a spade a shovel. Getting old is a good thing. As my crusty old farmer granddad always said, consider the alternative.
Hank Caylor · · Livin' in the Junk! · Joined Dec 2003 · Points: 643

I can still huck a lap on the Monkey Traverse, now get off my lawn you damn kids!!!

Damn kids

DaveC · · Louisville, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 65

I agree with Hank, although the good thing with gym popularity is that the Monkey Traverse is less crowded than in decades past. I wish Open Space hadn't moved those boulders on the uphill end though.

On point except for being non-climbing: Old Masters at the Top of their Game, NYT Magazine

jcm537 · · Broomfield, Co. · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 0

I don't belong in a category with beckey & most others, I've only been climbing 2-3 years. I completed my 50th b'day objective by leading an awesome o/w in my grade. I'm curious if any of these old hard men came back from a climbing injury after age 50.

jonathan.lipkin · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 70

I'm going to the Gunks thurs with two climbers, 75 and 82, who have been climbing for 60+ years each. Don't know if they want their names posted, but they have a couple first ascents here and there.

doligo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 264

I have a friend who is over 80 and started climbing in his 70s. He's an absolute crusher both on rock and ice, and it's not your average dad or grandpa who just goes top roping 5.easies, he actually leads pretty hard for someone who started so late in his life (leads ice too, which is pretty crazy). He was one of my mentors and inspirations when I first started climbing (fairly late compared to many) - it is never too late to start climbing and get good at it.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

^^^ Wonderwoman, I have climbing gear older than you! 40 is not old!

rob.calm · · Loveland, CO · Joined May 2002 · Points: 630

This links to an article in the NY Times about aging. What I found interesting was its reference to Tom Hornbein as an exemplar of aging well.

mortality and its discontents

RobertusPunctumPacificus

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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