Lost: Climbing Ability

Maybe I didn't have any to begin with.

Where did you last have it? Retrace your steps.

About 35 lbs and 20 years ago.

JML, by the looks of your beautiful photos, you still got it! Baby step back into it!

GiGi, thanks for the comment about my photos. However, I was talking about CLIMBING ability and I have no idea where THAT is. If anybody finds it, I would appreciate it. I have a feeling it will be in the same place as my mind.

Let's see...

Hey, where did Big Sur go? I saw it for a split second, then "POOF" , it disappeared. I used to hunt for jade in Big Sur. Take me back to that magical place. Uh, oh, hold up, my deer thingy is playing tricks on me again.

Okay, it stopped.

Your father has it?

JML, one more hint please.

JML wrote:About 35 lbs and 20 years ago.

Ah, those are tricky steps to retrace. But not impossible! A lot of gyms, training programs, diets, Beverly Hills surgeons, and Magical Dirty GiGi's offer different ways to get there. If you find it, please look around for mine, too. Should be in the same general vicinity.

JML wrote:About 35 lbs and 20 years ago.

Must be hanging out with mine. I've been working on the pound problem, but if anyone comes across the fountain of youth in there travels send me a PM. I'll keep your secret.

I sense there's something deeper going on with JML. Cheer up Bud, and hang in there.

You can find mine in the Tulip fields.

I just found my climbing ability! It is that shriveled up dead tulip in between the rows!

Here is that picture. It was an ad contest I entered for Mountain Hardwear. It was on a spire just south of Jade Cove.

Yes, my dad definitely has it. I think what is going on here is a bitterness about him never passing the ability down to me. :(

JML wrote:I just found my climbing ability! It is that shriveled up dead tulip in between the rows!

No, it's the strongest one out there, standing tall, and opening up to feel all the warmth of the sun.

JML, tell us about your dad. Who is, or was he? Was he proud of your photography ability?

BTW, the "Your father has it?" was a wild guess on my part, but I'm happy it was a good guess.

His shoulders pain him too much to climb now but at 77 he is still putting on a 40+ lb pack and leaving me in the dust in the High Sierra.

http://www128.pair.com/r3d4k7/JLangford.html

Willi Unsoeld on Nez Perce...and other old Tetons Photos

Whoa!! I'm speechless. Thanks for sharing! I gotta check these photos out some more. Be back soon.

An incredible man! Be proud of him, and be proud of your own accomplishments too. If you ever want to vent to a Dirty Gri Gri, feel free to PM.

Peace, G

Hey Jody! Nice to see you here.

Hey sticher, don't tell anybody or I'll disappear from here too. :)

JML wrote:His shoulders pain him too much to climb now but at 77 he is still putting on a 40+ lb pack and leaving me in the dust in the High Sierra. www128.pair.com/r3d4k7/JLan… Willi Unsoeld on Nez Perce...and other old Tetons Photos

JML, that's awesome about your dad's fitness, and a lovely tribute by John Gill.

What is the problem with his shoulders? Is it attributable to climbing or anything in particular?

I'm asking because I bet I'm not the only person on this site who hopes to climb into the senior years, and finds it worrisome that a fit guy who's always been active in the mountains can't.

Whether it (climbing ability) was lost or never was, whether it was climbing, my career, or the dreaded opposite sex, I found that stepping back and listening intently to MY feelings and MY body was the best answer to this question. "Search Your Feelings Luke" (Star Wars). Whether those thoughts and feelings are good or bad made no difference, for it was the origins of the thoughts and feelings I was searching for. Here, I overcame rationalization, justification, and Ego comforts. Therein, I find true value, and occasional peace, Evasive as it is.

Perhaps a quote will explain this better: "Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." - Charles Lindbergh