New and Experienced climbers over 50 #22

Jan Mcwrote:

There is only one way to get to look like Brian and that is to work out ruthlessly and to get really thin.  Of course the first part makes the second part a lot easier.  But this is NOT the result of diet, it is the result of hard work.

Brian denies taking steroids. I'm not qualified to have an opinion, but.... I wonder if anyone here has more informed thoughts about this.

Not to sway the jury but he does eat raw cow testicles every day along with all that liver, spleen and adrenal glands so in a way he is on steroids.

Lori Milaswrote:

Not to sway the jury but he does eat raw cow testicles every day along with all that liver, spleen and adrenal glands so in a way he is on steroids.

I didn't realize cows had testicles? Has he also grown an udder? 

wendy weisswrote:

Brian denies taking steroids. I'm not qualified to have an opinion, but.... I wonder if anyone here has more informed thoughts about this.

Don't underestimate the possibility that he's also on Photoshop. 

Lori Milaswrote:

Not to sway the jury but he does eat raw cow testicles every day along with all that liver, spleen and adrenal glands so in a way he is on steroids.

Assuming he's actually eating that stuff every day (IMO a big assumption), I don't think life would be worth living. Personally, I'm taking my chances with a more balanced and pleasurable approach. 

I totally agree Wendy!!! I wouldn’t want to look like that anyway and surely not go anywhere near a diet like that—even if it was guaranteed to enable to climb as well as Adam Ondra!!!!

He could eat marshmallows & graham crackers & it would make very little difference. Either you do the work & or you take steroids. What do you think his life expectancy is? There are bodybuilders that are Vegetarians. 

If you do the work you get the benefits. This is Anna Carrasco, she is the first woman to win a Motorcycle World Championship

A couple of years ago I said that it is not a benefit to have not had major injuries. I meant it! It forces you to work on technique & do the hard work. 

Almost all pro athletes are damaged. They win because they don't look for shortcuts, They do the work! It's fucking hard, but it's the only way to be the best you can be.

wendy weisswrote:

Assuming he's actually eating that stuff every day (IMO a big assumption), I don't think life would be worth living. Personally, I'm taking my chances with a more balanced and pleasurable approach. 

His does not sound like a healthy diet at all. Totally agree Wendy.

I typically avoid climbing on weekends, but we got to Bishop yesterday and just had to climb today. I tried to think of where to go that would have the least people. I decided on the right hand walls at Benton Crags and it was a good guess. We did not see or hear another party all day, and the temps were perfect in the sun. 

It's starting to cool off here.

 Clouds Rest, Half Dome. 

Well, my trip away didn’t go to plan. I was planning to do a week at Mt Arapiles and then a week sports climbing in The Grampians.
Back home after six days and only a few routes, nothing harder than a grade 13 (5.7). Felt like crap the last few days, headache, chills, sore throat, very weak. So I packed up and came home. Did a Covid test as soon as I got home and it showed positive in seconds. So now I’m confined to me bedroom for five days. I’ve decided to watch every Wes Anderson movies while I’m isolating.
the funny thing is as I drove home I was thinking “I’m too old for this, six days and several easy routes and I’m stuffed”.
it’s actually comforting in a way to know I wasn’t ‘just’ old or. Being a pussy but had a reason to feel weak.

Get well, Carl!  Hope you make a speed and complete recovery.
I can guess what "Ring a pussy" means but I do not think I will use it much in the US! :) 

Mark Frumkinwrote:

It's starting to cool off here.

 Clouds Rest, Half Dome. 

That looks really nice.
Low/mid 40's to start the day in Eastern MA today. Then up to 60's and rain early afternoon.

Recover quickly Carl. Sorry you got sick and that it ruined your trip. Next time will be better.

phylp phylpwrote:

I typically avoid climbing on weekends, but we got to Bishop yesterday and just had to climb today. I tried to think of where to go that would have the least people. I decided on the right hand walls at Benton Crags and it was a good guess. We did not see or hear another party all day, and the temps were perfect in the sun. 

Benton is fun, spent much time there bouldering to avoid the crowds, the routes are fun too. The ridge lines around Benton are loaded with arrow heads and chips from the process of making them, the most I have ever seen anywhere.

M Mwrote: The ridge lines around Benton are loaded with arrow heads and chips from the process of making them, the most I have ever seen anywhere.

Very interesting, I did not know that.  

Hope you heal quickly Carl. Vacations do seem like an invitation for new viruses to introduce themselves.

Ward Smithwrote:

Crux crimps, big move to these, then big move to the top (hard, not as hard as the move getting to them) on a 40 degree overhang.  Maybe 1/4 first digit. Top holds in the above photo.

Conditions were passable this morning.  Did you make good progress on SoL today, Ward?

I went out to Hadley for a workout instead..  Lame, right?  But I got my 600+ feet of lead climbing in.  So did Alan.  And he climbed outdoors yesterday.  The guy is a beast!!

S. Neohwrote:

Get well, Carl!  Hope you make a speed and complete recovery.
I can guess what "Ring a pussy" means but I do not think I will use it much in the US! :) 

Cheers. I meant ‘being a pussy’ I’ve corrected it now. 

S. Neohwrote:

Conditions were passable this morning.  Did you make good progress on SoL today, Ward?

I went out to Hadley for a workout instead..  Lame, right?  But I got my 600+ feet of lead climbing in.  So did Alan.  And he climbed outdoors yesterday.  The guy is a beast!!

Sendtember!

We did a route called The High Life, followed by The Big Deal. About 600 feet, then raps. The approach and descent are harder on my knees and low back than the climbing.

I think I mentioned here last time I did that route how the crows opened our packs and scattered stuff around. I warned my partner not to leave anything valuable at the base. He really thought I was exaggerating. I saw them from the top of the first pitch just waiting for Andy to get off the ground and out of sight.  Came down today, same deal. Pretty amazing creatures.