Fred Beckey, 90 years old, climbing in JTree

Just after the New Year, and less than 10 days before his 90th birthday - the man, the legend, Fred Beckey, attains yet another fine summit. The Moosedog Tower in Indian Cove, Joshua Tree, via the 3-pitch 5.6 route "Tranquility". My buddies Erik Harz and Felix Parham roped up with Fred while I soloed alongside taking photos and providing some additional assistance. Getting a 90 year-old up a 300' route is no easy task! His body may have been weakened by age, but he can still move fluidly and thoughtlessly, like he's been doing it for 70+ years! Enjoy the photos! I can only hope to still be alive and walking at his age, let alone climbing.

Fred starting up the first pitch

Fred on P1

Fred maximizing a crucial no-hands, no-feet rest mid-pitch
Fred - "I'm climbing shitty today"
Me - "You're the best 90 year old climber I've met"

Fred gives his approval as he finishes P2
"Good lead, buddy"

Felix has a laugh while Fred takes a nap at the belay
"Up rope!"

Fred tops out on the final pitch on Moosedog Tower!

The old master atop another fine summit
Hard of hearing, Fred couldn't quite understand what the name of the tower was called - "Hedgehog? Moosecock? Moosecat? Oh, Muztagh! Like the one in the Karakoram." HAHA

It was an honor and a pleasure to share this peak with you, Fred. You inspire us all. Here's to another decade of vibrant life and climbing - cheers!

Additional notes:

This may be the oldest-age ascent of the route (or any route?)

This may also be the slowest roped ascent of the route, at just over 4 hours.

So cool to be climbing with such a legend. I just got to see one of his slideshows and that was a cool experience but climbing with him would be great!

Simply inspiring, I hope I'm doing this at 90! It's great to know this isn't a sport limited to a certain age range to still go out and experience some adventure.

Thanks so much for posting

great post

Wow, what a great story. Thanks for posting this.

A humbling ascent and what an opportunity for a photographer! To state the obvious Mr. Beckey is an inspiring hard-man. Great post. Thanks for sharing.

who the hell is Fred Beckey?!

; )

who the hell is Fred Beckey?!
Looks from your profile like you do a lot of mountaineering. You "should" know about him, the way any electric guitar player "should" know about Les Paul. Fred has done more first ascents than most of us have done climbs, period. He's somewhere between founding father and icon in that field of endeavor. Ask somebody about Fred's fixed ropes and the infamous pink Thunderbird.

I attended a slide show he gave a couple of years ago. Yeah, the body is frail, but the mind is still all there. Hope I'm that good at that age!

He's only got about 30 years on me but is still my age group hero...certainly hope to get close to his age and energy level as years go by.

Really awesome post. Thanks Richard.

Thanks for sharing your experience with Fred and the photos too. I only hope I can be doing the same when I am his age!

Hey Rich! Awesome trip report. He's still a badass.

This is so flippin cool. Thank you for sharing. Great post!!!

Thanks! - Fred is my inspiration. Now if I can just keep go'n another 28...

awesome. thats a stout 5.6 crux too!.

Some aid was employed in his ascent, in true Fred style. 5.6 A0. At 90, the toprope can never be tight enough. "Up rope, buddy" A half move later - "Up rope!" Zero moves later - "Fucking up rope already goddamnit!"

Thanks for posting this.

He is a true hardman.

Cool. Way to be to there, Rich.

I love this kind of stuff!! Climb on Fred Beckey.

Very cool, thanks.