Partner Finder
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So Marc801 give me a brake, I'm elderly. (Maybe that's the reason no one wants to climb with me) |
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John Robinson wrote:Marc801 give me some suggestions on how to word my "age thing" I'm actually 71 but know that would scare off everyone. No one likes "Elderly" PeopleSpeaking for myself, dishonesty would be a much bigger red flag for me than age. If someone is really willing to climb with a 51 year old, but 71 would be a dealbreaker all else being equal, is that really a person you'd want to climb with anyway? Wouldn't you rather they weed themselves out before wasting your time? On the other hand, if the first thing I learned about a stranger I was considering roping up with is that they lied, either to trick me into climbing with them or for some other mystery reason, I'd be wondering what else they may have lied about, if they're really trustworthy enough to put my life in their hands, and I'd probably get right back in the car. I hope I am so lucky as to still be climbing 5.11 when I am 71, that should make you proud, not embarrassed - and you should seek out partners who find that inspiring, not a reason to be "scared off". |
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Thanks Em Cos. I suppose you are correct. I would, however, tell them my true age before we met. It's just that a lot of young people actually don't like old people. Recently I have been climbing with Jay who is 26 and we get along great so I know that (in many cases) the age difference doesn't matter that much but when they find out I am 71 they typically won't give me a chance. I probably am in better shape and climb harder than most 31 year olds but many would say, "That's fine, but the deal breaker is, you're old" You can say all the complementary things you want (and I appreciate it) but the truth is the truth. My usual climbing partners tend to be over 40 and that's probably more to do with, I have been climbing so long, my original partners are getting older with me. I have been climbing with some of my partners for over 20 years so we started when they were in their 20's and I was in my 50's |
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I watched a 72 year dude head off into the unknown at Cochise to help a guy that had gotten off route. We were on a 5.8 with a semi hanging belay 100 pct chicken heads. I know these guys have been on the downhill side of things for decades and they STILL climb hard. Oh yeah his partner was in his late 60s. Not to embarrass these guys but Jim Dennis and Jim Loughran are the shit. I was stoked they let me tie in with them that day. I say if you are 71 and are worried about what people think. Show up tie in grab the rack and push off. After the first two pieces go in no one is going to give a shit about how old you are. |
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Bill M: You are missing my point, you said "I say if you are 71 and are worried about what people think" |
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John, |
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thanks ClimbLikeAGirl. Sounds like you live in New York. Wish you lived out here in California. Sounds like you'd be a great partner. |
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I added to my "additional information" on my home page the following: Don't let my age scare you, I am 71 going on 41. |
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Thumbs up! |
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Sounds like you're really concerned about your age. I think if you believe it's a non-issue, others are more likely to agree with you! I say just let your age and how hard you climb show in your stats, and don't worry about it beyond that. If you make it clear you're worried about your age you give others a reason to worry too. |
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John Robinson wrote:thanks ClimbLikeAGirl. Sounds like you live in New York. Wish you lived out here in California. Sounds like you'd be a great partner.On a weekday in the Gunks, someone your age would not be in the slightest bit unusual! Maybe you just need to move? :) I've always thought of the partner finder as a way to contact people, not to be contacted by them... In other words, mainly you do the searching. The right gym I'd say could be a much better way to get to know like minded partners. |
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Em Cos wrote:Sounds like you're really concerned about your age. I think if you believe it's a non-issue, others are more likely to agree with you! I say just let your age and how hard you climb show in your stats, and don't worry about it beyond that. If you make it clear you're worried about your age you give others a reason to worry too. What makes more sense - if I were to simply state the grade, style, and location I climb at and am looking for partners, or if I add a disclaimer like "hey I know I'm (fill in the blank: young, old, female, short, weak, new) but please don't let that worry you, I still climb well!" I don't know, just my perspective but to me the second one gives me pause - if you're not confident in yourself, why should I be confident in you? And yes, I know, you don't lack confidence in your abilities, but making apologies for your age sure makes it sound like you might. Just be you! Any idiot that can't look past the age to see your climbing abilities and experience is not worth your time anyway.+100 Just stop mentioning it and making it an issue. |
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John, |
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Sebastian Christopher: thanks for the good information. I tried to drag a picture from "my pictures" to my profile page but couldn't get it to do it. How do I do it? I will update my tick list. |
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Go to your page and just below your information area there is a photo album area. Click on it or drag mouse cursor over it and should give you option to add photos to the photo album. Once you've updated a photo to that album, drag the mouse cursor over it and it will give you the option to "make your personal photo". |
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Sebastian Christopher: I went to the photo album section you suggested and clicked on it and couldn't see anywhere that would allow me to add a picture. It only let me add text. |
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It's not just because you are a dude. The main reason could be no one in your area really climbs. Here in the Front Range, you can't swing a stick without hitting a climber, so plenty are looking for partners at all times. Most of us who have stayed put for a while have tons of partners and really aren't soliciting more. |
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John Robinson wrote:Sebastian Christopher: thanks for the good information. I tried to drag a picture from "my pictures" to my profile page but couldn't get it to do it. How do I do it?Drag and drop isn't supported for uploading photos. See this thread on how to add a profile picture: mountainproject.com/v/addin… |
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Another problem is, people are using other forum areas for finding partners. Take a look at the "eastern" section... Half the posts are "Who wants to climb at Rumney tomorrow". |
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Shit man, I'm on my second season in the Valley and I love climbing with folks who have some experience under their belt, regardless of age. I'm positive I could learn a thing or two from you, and would love to rope up in the Valley, in Tahoe, or anywhere else in the Sierra! |