New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #14

Dallas

I will also chime in about the bands. 

When Jean dislocated her shoulder lead climbing at Red Rocks, she could not even lift a 1 pound weight. She went to PT and also did the bands and other exercises. 

When I messed up my arm, I went to the same PT people that Jean did, I also was introduced to the bands plus other exercises. The bottom line is that they do work. The PT people know what they are doing. Both Jean and I recommend PT. It worked for both of us.

Keep up with it.

John

Guy Keeseewrote:

Lori.... you said you wanted pictures from BITD......   me on Geronimo (its a trick crack climb)

Me ready to try "Rebolting Developments" for the nth time (you do skid down to the ground- your belayer must do advanced "stuff" to keep you off of the ground. They don't make climbs like this anymore.

The height of fashion 1974

 

Castle Rock Spire......    Some say it's the hardest summit to attain in the Sierra. I would tend to agree. 

Your call for photos got me moving... I broke out the scanner, now to find the box of ancient photos.

 

Guy

Great photos. I also remember being skinny, lots of energy and having long hair also. Today I have lost all 3.

John

John...... you are still skinny- under all the fat! you still have tons of energy- but you employ it doing cerebral things - and your hair is long but is all on the inside. 

Guy Keeseewrote:

The height of fashion 1974

 

 

Based on the other photos I'm guessing you're the one on the right, am I correct?   

Okay, fair warning here.. 

My inner 19 year old still thinks all of you former young hotties are, well, hotties. Sheesh.

That 19 year old is now single. 

Yeah, scary, huh?

PT, twice! This pic is the hot tub beside the pool I got to do every other session in. The regular pool. Hot water after. It helps so much, that I stopped showering at home, and do baths, hot as I can stand. Add more hot water when it cools. Plunk the laptop in sight, watch whatever crap I'm currently binging and soak. Heaven.

Better yet? The hot springs at City of Rocks! Just glorious. I have been known to arrange the dates of my climbing trips there to allow one or two visits to the hot springs, lol! The day before the drive home, especially.

Question?

Anyone have opinions on CBD only products? CBD is available here finally, but no THC. Sheesh. I'm not there yet, but if/when the knees finally get too painful, that seems a good first step, especially versus ibuprofen or even worse stuff that pharma would push me to.

The "balm" items, maybe? Blue and green topped boxes? Honestly, I think topical CBD with just a touch of THC would be the ticket. Sigh. Oh well. I'm no longer on the City of Boise payroll, eh? ;-)

And?

Truly, thanks so much for all the well wishes, on and off of MP. There are a few who check up on me pretty often, and vice versa, too! 

It's actual in person time that has been tough. Still, I am so much better off than a few years ago. 

Best, Helen

Victor Kwrote:

Given a lifetime of preconceptions about working out, I was waiting for the moment when it got hard. Never came, yet the PT worked. I no longer think they're silly.

That's me.  Effective workouts must be hard and very painful.  Ok, not.  The PT folks are very good with me, explaining in tedious detail what is going on and what they are trying to accomplish and how it's going to work.  Exactly what I need.  Just telling me to rotate my arm 20 times does nothing to motivate me.  Telling me that the simple shoulder shrugs are designed to cause upper bony thingy to loosen up a bit and quit rubbing on the knobby thingy is much better.  Sorry, my latin is lacking, I have to use laymen's terms.  They show pretty pictures to explain.  But, it makes me a believer in silly rubber bands.  It's going to take time for sure.  Getting the shoulder "opened up" causes it to be weaker, thus my time in the gym last week not going well.  But that is followed up by careful strengthening exercises.  Work it but don't hurt it. 

I think there may have been a few advancements on the subject since basic training in 1974. 

Thanks all for the encouraging words, it's a process, just gotta keep working it. 

History. It’s really lit me up here. I bought a book today “Growing Up At Desert Queen Ranch” by Willis Keys.  This is a local history of the 1920’s-30’s of the Keyes Ranch, some kind of lake for swimming???, cattle ranches... and all that was before an ambush somewhere in the ‘40’s.  I’m just now starting to hunt around for information on Native tribes here. And I’m vastly interested in the native herbs and medicines, shamanic practices and art here.  So, it’s a bit surreal following the timeline backwards between here and the 1700’s... a lot of people have walked on this land. There’s a lot to learn. 

Guy, I love these pictures! I hope you will keep them coming along with some background... what years were you climbing, who were your friends/fellow climbers... was there any connection to the Yosemite climbers and Stonemasters?  How much of the park did you all climb in?  Did you live locally?

I just think of the very sacred time my groups of friends and I experienced in the late’60’s... very much tied to a time and place and music.  But while we were skipping school and hanging out on the Sunset Strip, hitching to local beaches, I don’t think I would have known there was a climbing thing happening at the same time. I think we would all have recognized each other... and so now we go full circle and meet up here. Pretty cool. 

Dallas Rwrote:

That's me.  Effective workouts must be hard and very painful.  Ok, not.  The PT folks are very good with me, explaining in tedious detail what is going on and what they are trying to accomplish and how it's going to work.  Exactly what I need.  Just telling me to rotate my arm 20 times does nothing to motivate me.  Telling me that the simple shoulder shrugs are designed to cause upper bony thingy to loosen up a bit and quit rubbing on the knobby thingy is much better.  Sorry, my latin is lacking, I have to use laymen's terms.  They show pretty pictures to explain.  But, it makes me a believer in silly rubber bands.  It's going to take time for sure.  Getting the shoulder "opened up" causes it to be weaker, thus my time in the gym last week not going well.  But that is followed up by careful strengthening exercises.  Work it but don't hurt it. 

I think there may have been a few advancements on the subject since basic training in 1974. 

Thanks all for the encouraging words, it's a process, just gotta keep working it. 

It just happens that Tony and I had this conversation today, for the hundredth time. He still believes there must be a pill, a surgery, a device that will make it all better, a brace or gadget ... anything but diving in whole hog and doing the hard work of recovery.  I don’t think there’s any easy way out of this.

 
I haven’t been in so much pain that I needed a surgery or meds so it’s not fair to judge. But I have had a torn rotator cuff, a low back injury that put me to bed for several weeks, severe plantar fasciitis that became chronic. And a couple of years ago I could have sworn I had broken my hip... had some kind of hairline fracture because of pain and spasms from my hip to my knee. I wore a knee brace for months.

And in every case the answer was the same: get up and work those parts. Restore scaffolding around those grinding bones. Stay in motion. In every case it was counter intuitive.. work whatever hurts. Physical therapy was enormously helpful and surprisingly fast (for me) because it was so specific and progressive.

I wish there was an easier way. It hurts me to see Tony continue in chronic pain. I think perhaps when pain gets bad we think we are an exception case.  And there’s a certain generation that grew up believing “the doctor “ will fix it. He/she can’t.  We have to get in the game. 

Helen, the last time I was in to see my orthopedic guy, he actually recommended CBD.  I guess enough people are getting some pain relief that even the docs are coming around to it.  A friend who is in chronic pain swears by it.  But I have heard there is tremendous variability in quality.  The MD gave me a script for a specific brand.  The problem I am having with it is I hate the taste so I can't force myself to take it the twice a day I'm supposed to.  Good luck with your PT.

Guy Keeseewrote:

John...... you are still skinny- under all the fat! you still have tons of energy- but you employ it doing cerebral things - and your hair is long but is all on the inside. 

Guy

I had to laugh at your comment. I wish that it was true.

I tell Jean that there is more to love now.

I also tell her that I am not losing hair, it is just that my face is getting bigger.

John

Carl Schneider wrote:

Why not just go straight for the real stuff?

Lol! The Idaho legislature is one of the last holdouts on planet earth that still thinks pot is the gateway drug to hell. A few years ago, a HEMP shipment crossing Idaho got seized. Yeah... embarrassing. Cannabis with thc is utterly illegal, for any purpose, here. CBD too, until really recently. I'm surprised hemp dish towels slipped through their radar...

In fairness, part of it here, is that technically thc is still illegal at the federal level. If/when that changes, I expect Idaho will quickly opt for that cash cow staying here, not slipping over the state lines to keep a hefty percentage of Oregon's budget balanced.

With the fiber though? They remedied that super fast, at least going forward. That, came under USDA (Dept. of Agriculture), which is a big deal in an ag based state, unlike the FDA (Food and Drug).

Phylp, topical is what I'd aim for. Yes, I've heard a lot about quality, but the stuff has been out for rather a while now, especially north of us.

But, so far so good. Not hurting too much these days. A single aspirin, once in a great while does it.

Best, Helen

This picture came up on my FB newsfeed just now from 2017. Wish I was back in the Grampians.

Interesting day for me today. Twenty years service award in my current job. Mixed feelings about that. Going to knock off early and get drunk. 

I'd like to pick your brains about gardening here.  I thought I could give up gardening for living in Joshua Tree... I can't.  I'm spending way too much time debating raised beds, sunken beds, whiskey barrels, containers from the feed store, etc.  I like planting in ground, amending soil, etc... but what we have here is rock-like... chances are not good that I'm going to personally dig out large areas of this stuff.  At least, not this year.  Getting water and shade to those areas isn't easy, either.  

Some locals have suggested metal livestock feeders, galvanized buckets for potatoes etc.  

I have a big covered patio in my backyard that gets some degree of sun depending upon angle.  There is one hose outlet for the entire back yard.  

The minute we get back from Tony's surgery, I'll want to start something.  That is, unless I get it all this weekend, planted, and have the neighbor kid water while we're gone.  I understand it is "Spring" here already, and time's a wasting...  

And what about fruit trees?  I thought no way would they grow here... but I hear they do.  That would be wonderful.  Grapes?  

Lori Milaswrote:

I'd like to pick your brains about gardening here.  I thought I could give up gardening for living in Joshua Tree... I can't.  I'm spending way too much time debating raised beds, sunken beds, whiskey barrels, containers from the feed store, etc.  I like planting in ground, amending soil, etc... but what we have here is rock-like... chances are not good that I'm going to personally dig out large areas of this stuff.  At least, not this year.  Getting water and shade to those areas isn't easy, either.  

Some locals have suggested metal livestock feeders, galvanized buckets for potatoes etc.  

I have a big covered patio in my backyard that gets some degree of sun depending upon angle.  There is one hose outlet for the entire back yard.  

The minute we get back from Tony's surgery, I'll want to start something.  That is, unless I get it all this weekend, planted, and have the neighbor kid water while we're gone.  I understand it is "Spring" here already, and time's a wasting...  

And what about fruit trees?  I thought no way would they grow here... but I hear they do.  That would be wonderful.  Grapes?  

You can grow some fruit trees, but you will be using lots of water and fighting a constant battle against the many critters that will eat the fruit before you do. I have a mulberry tree on my property and it does produce some tasty fruit despite the lackluster soil, but the squirrels and birds are quick to nibble them as soon as they ripen. You can net the trees to protect your harvest, personally I prefer to just let the animals enjoy themselves.

Check out Mike Branning's gardening show Saturday mornings on Z107.7, he's got the answers to your questions and more. The most recent episode addresses fruit trees in the Morongo Basin:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/z107-7-fm-unique-garden-show-hosted-by-mike-branning/id1499534919?fbclid=IwAR2-75hiWfOQuGB_wgYXmEKCOnabswkxZN3aBDmlS5rLOC8RA-piOgza2Bs

Morning all.

Carl- that’s not me in the photo. I took it. From right to left the subjects are: Bulwinkle AKA Dean Fidelman- he is an artist and creator of the “Stone Nudes” calendars. Center: Shawn Curtis RIP and on the left Gary Ayers RIP.
These were a few of my friends from Stoney who I did a bunch of stuff with in my early days. I still hang with Bulwinkle some.

Lori- to assist you in understanding “the scene” in Southern California you must remember the days before modern communication- back to when everyone had the same phone, hooked to the wall and the same ring tone. Climbers were known for where they came from. For example: The Altadena Boyz- People who lived there and worked at Sport Chalet- The Stoney boys - The Tustin people- Woodsons etc....       I would guess that, at most, there were about 100 people who were active climbers (5 Women) in SoCal.                     

When one went climbing we normally went to the best places- mostly Tahquitz and Suicide. Crummy winter weather would drive us to Joshua Tree and when we could string some down time we went to “The Valley” . The Valley was the center of the Universe. At that time one could just roll into it - pick a spot in Camp 4 - and settle in. In Josh, every body camped at HVCG- there were always open spots. We explored Joshua Tree- almost every inch of it. Today I could take you to see some Native Pottery still sitting in place, a hermit hut with old magazines and mail left out, shoes lined up.  
We had it made in the 70’s..... 

One last thing. The StoneMasters - John L, Richard Harrison (RIP), Rickey Acazzamo (sp?) and a few others (The Laverne Boys) dreamed up the whole StoneMaster thing after a long evening spent in Harrison’s Mom’s Basement. Carlos Castanedas books were on the must read list for all and those guys had a vision of the future. A future where WE all climbed WAY harder than what was going on at the time. What the old men climbed were these 5.8 5.9 - I don’t think there were more than a handful of 5.10’s in the Monument. John, Richard and Ricky shared the vision and showed the way. We all started to try hard and take falls. Everybody got the “bug” and the standards went up.

This is a very short version, of course, and it’s viewed through my eyes. Rockclimbing was just beginning to become really popular in the US and places like Boulder and The Gunks all had similar scenes.

The good old days I figure, but today in 2021 it’s still good. What climbers can now do is truly amazing! The day I woke up and read the news that some kid named Alex had free-soloed HalfDome I knew that things have changed- but are still the same. We have all become StoneMasters.

Guy Keeseewrote:

One last thing. The StoneMasters - John L, Richard Harrison (RIP), Rickey Acazzamo (sp?) and a few others (The Laverne Boys) dreamed up the whole StoneMaster thing after a long evening spent in Harrison’s Mom’s Basement. Carlos Castanedas books were on the must read list for all and those guys had a vision of the future. A future where WE all climbed WAY harder than what was going on at the time. What the old men climbed were these 5.8 5.9 - I don’t think there were more than a handful of 5.10’s in the Monument. John, Richard and Ricky shared the vision and showed the way. We all started to try hard and take falls. Everybody got the “bug” and the standards went up.

Rick Accomazzo lives in Boulder now, a founding member of the Access Fund, and a super nice guy. As far as I know, he still climbs.

wendy weisswrote:

Rick Accomazzo lives in Boulder now, a founding member of the Access Fund, and a super nice guy. As far as I know, he still climbs.

True... many have gone on to “be productive members of society” ... despite what our parents predicted. LOL

Oldtradguywrote:

The bottom line is that they do work. The PT people know what they are doing. Both Jean and I recommend PT. It worked for both of us.

Keep up with it.

John

Yes, but it may be more complicated...

I've had back issues for 15+ years.  First PT I went to was useless.  I did all the exercises and such and got very little benefit.  Got to where I thought I might have to give up climbing.  My wife eventually convinced me to try again, so I tracked down a PT who was known for working with athletes.  That made all the difference.  

So... all PT people are not equal.  If one doesn't work for you, try again.

GO

^^^^ as a PT and PT educator, completely agree!! Glad you found someone who worked out for you. 

Lori Milaswrote:

I'd like to pick your brains about gardening here.  I thought I could give up gardening for living in Joshua Tree... I can't.  I'm spending way too much time debating raised beds, sunken beds, whiskey barrels, containers from the feed store, etc.  I like planting in ground, amending soil, etc... but what we have here is rock-like... chances are not good that I'm going to personally dig out large areas of this stuff.  At least, not this year.  Getting water and shade to those areas isn't easy, either.  

Some locals have suggested metal livestock feeders, galvanized buckets for potatoes etc.  

I have a big covered patio in my backyard that gets some degree of sun depending upon angle.  There is one hose outlet for the entire back yard.  

The minute we get back from Tony's surgery, I'll want to start something.  That is, unless I get it all this weekend, planted, and have the neighbor kid water while we're gone.  I understand it is "Spring" here already, and time's a wasting...  

And what about fruit trees?  I thought no way would they grow here... but I hear they do.  That would be wonderful.  Grapes?  

Wouldn't metal containers transfer the heat to the roots too much? I'd use either raised beds made of wood (1/2 wooden railway sleepers) or just dig in to the ground. I feel the main advantage of raised beds is that is saves your back. You can grow potatoes in a stack of tyres (tires). Place a tyre on the ground, fill it with soil, put some seed potatoes in, put another tyre on top, when the plants reach the second tyre (poke through the soil) add another tyre and more seed potatoes etc. When they're ready just push the whole lot over and harvest.