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New and experienced climbers over 50 # 25
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Jan has me all figured out. I said I just wanted to ogle shirtless guys.. boom. A shirtless climber on a wow route in Tuolomne. Packing my bags! Psychology. So… curious. How fit is everyone here? Relative to, say, hiking up Ryan’s mountain? Piece of cake? Huff and puff? Not so much? Knowing that Guy and Jan ace a 3.5 mile approach to their secret spot… maybe they are super fit? I see pics of Randy out biking. I know Nick is fit. I decided to tackle Ryan’s this morning, giving myself permission to turn around at any time. It’s a vigorous hike! But it went easier than the last time I hiked it. I was REALLY hoping I could see the Astro Dome from the trail… nope… it remains elusive.  When am I Astro Dome fit, Tahquitz fit? |
Lori Milaswrote: Not even close. Foreign Legion guys can barely make it to Tahquitz. Getting to the Astro Domes is like walking in a Walmart with an uneven floor. |
Lori Milaswrote: Hahahaha - ACED a 3.5 mile approach… not hardly. On Thursday I was able to hike about 2 miles @10,000 feet and it took me about 2 hours! Not record time exactly. But really I never know how it’s going to go. Some days yes and some days no. I just “Go for it” and see. The hike got me 3 dinks but now I know the best way in and out. I was in my sleeping bag before sundown. Up Friday am and after a bunch of unsteady steps a few cups of coffee I was ready to go hiking some more. I was rewarded with 4 nice Golden Trout. The amount of snow and the runoff this year is stunning, never have I experienced a year like this - I mean it’s August already and the creeks are still at flood stage. Lori- I think TM, Tioga Pass as you call it, and Pine Creek would be right up your alley. Extremely short approaches, if you pick the right climbs. As far as TM goes you get cushy motels in Lee Vining and after a savory breakfast and custom sandwich made for lunch at the world famous “Mobile Mart” your up the hill and roadside climbing before you know it. If you go to Pine Creek you get to sleep in a cushy motel in Bishop, take your time because the climbs go into shade about 1 pm … the approach is minuscule takes me about 10 minutes. The first climbs you get to are a bunch of 6,7,8 … one pitch jobs. So their you have it. Personally I think right now, till the snow flies, is the best climbing anywhere on earth. The season is short and life is shorter. Next year you will only be a year older and more febele - ponder that. And who thinks climbing with a full pack is fun??? John- that’s truly wacky. |
Russ Wallingwrote: I see how it is. Bob’s just making excuses, stringing me along. Walk in the park to the Astro Dome(s)? I was laughing to myself wondering whether Alex Honnold would find Ryan’s even slightly exerting. He recently did a linkup in Red Rocks he called The HURT. “32 hours, 35 miles, 23 summits, 14 classic rock routes, and 24,000 feet of vertical rock.” I’m going to have to think about this. Maybe Helen has some thoughts. What would be an old-person HURT equivalent? After 500 feet of climbing in 6 hours Im pretty much done. So on their current adventure they stopped to do this climb in the Bugaboos. May I ask what that yellow piece of CLOTH is supposed to do?  EDIT: Ok I really need to know. Do you eat only trout on these adventures? Like breakfast-trout-lunch-trout-dinner-MORE TROUT? I keep thinking about this 14!pound backpack and wondering if there’s anything in there for cooking? No bacon and eggs for breakfast? Just—what—reel them in and eat ‘em? I’m going to have to reconsider going with you guys on your next trip. |
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Helen's thoughts???!?? Alex Honnold is....Alex fucking Honnold. Many decades younger than I, and, well, AFingH. My "HURT", as you put it? I'm 66, 4'113/4", started in my late 50s (take THAT AFingH) and, well, merely talking myself out of the barcalounger and into putting me pants on now and then. And doing..... something. That. Matters. And THAT, is FAR from my peer group. Am I "fit"? No. But see, there's not just our peers (by age), there's also Americans in general, of any age. So yes, I happily embrace at least being more "fit" than "average", and try not to let too much smug creep in. Hanging with climbers, well, puts me at the extreme bottom of the pack, that's good incentive. All that said, all of us, I'm guessing, are pretty darn aware of time passing, and .... it's not getting easier. Huffing and puffing? Yes, but .... Almost everywhere I go, I gain elevation. Boise is 2500ish, COR is 6500. My last camping trip, baseline elevation was about 7000. That 4000+ gain is pretty noticeable. However, last season, maybe one or two others, I was at COR pretty often, and I think the adjustment to elevation hung on. That said, the 7000 footer was the Audubon one, lots of slow hikes with lots of stops, but, I hit my first ever 25000 step day (per the Fitbit). And no huffing and puffing at all. What I can't tell you, but I'm curious about anyway, so I might give it a whirl, soon? How many flights of stairs I am good for. Up. Down gets painful. But up? Hmmmmm..... Oh, and the Crossfit thing I'm contemplating has box jumps (or steps). 20" (above my knees!). Not even close to doing that, right now. Or, even if I can get up in the thing (one legged step ???), there's still the down. Pretty sure I can't step down very easily, it'll end up a jump of some sort, or sorta controlled, or largely uncontrolled, crash, lol! Just a jump, maybe?.....a few?? But it's gonna hurt. Off to trim and mow. It's a chilly 97 out back, better take advantage of it! H. |
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Beautiful trout, Guy! H. |
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500ft is an awesome day. |
Old lady Hwrote: Yes, very beautiful fish. And amazing amounts of tomatoes. 20 miles on the fatbike this morning, flatwater paddling this afternoon. Waiting for fall storms to generate some swell before the ice returns. Surf season is very short here.  |
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So the 14 pound pack has most of its weight in keeping me comfy at night: 15 degree sleeping quilt, warm 25" wide pad, warm down jacket, long underwear tops and bottoms, extra socks. For food I brought a bottle of milk that went into the creek to keep cool when we got there. That let me have milk in my coffee and on my cinnamon life cereal Sunday morning. Lunch was crackers and salami both days. Dinner was black shin spicy ramen with left over steak from dinner the night we got there (steak cooked at the car) then a few trout cooked in olive oil, lemon slices, fresh garlic slices, thyme, salt and pepper in foil on the fire. Considering I am only carrying enough food for 1 breakfast, 1 dinner and 2 lunches it isn't a lot. Pan to cook in weighs a few ounces as does my stove. Heavy part is the gas canister. I never carried more than 1/2 liter of water since I could filter more anytime the entire trip. Fishing stuff weighs about 1.5 pounds. Pack itself only weighs a pound. I can hike a max of about 10 miles in a day before my knees are too sore to move. That can include about 2,000 feet of elevation although I am happier if it is less - mostly because coming back downhill is what hurts the most. About 3 years ago before my knees started to really hurt I was good for 20 mile weekends with up to 4,000 feet of elevation gain before I would be crying. All that is if I am only carrying a daypack. Once you put on a backpack, even a light one, those numbers drop some. Also, what the heck am I supposed to do with all of these.  |
Jan Mcwrote: Beautiful tomatoes, Jan! If we were kind we would create a care package for Colden who apparently hasn't had a tomato in awhile. You and Guy could lug along some walrus meat on your next camping trip. Your explanation of your camping gear is a great relief, Jan. I kept trying to figure out what was in that 14 pound bag, and how you both thought only trout for meals was a good idea. I would have a wonderful time with your menu. Glad you guys get to do this... I'm really happy for you. So here, in Joshua Tree right now, you could dispense with a lot of the warm clothing.... but I guess you'd have to add weight with water. You might wind up packing in more than the 14 pounds. And, I'm guessing you'd need a tent? It would be interesting to see how you'd manage it. The nights are beautiful right now... perfect in my estimation. But then I love warm summer nights, warm breezes, and endless sky. Days are a little much right now. Here's a lot of gratitude for all of you who have continued to go... exercise, hike, climb (and flatwater paddle ) despite 'issues'. I'm struggling with not being angry, not being judgmental, toward those around me and I'm losing that battle. My best friend has not left the Lazyboy again, in days. (years). I'm watching continual naps here... which were nice for awhile, but... at some point don't we get up and do something? I'm not in her shoes. I don't know what she's thinking/feeling. And maybe when I'm having a diabetic issue, or had eight months of near total disability... she might have cast stones, but she didn't. I want to extend the same acceptance towards her. (and Tony). With the latest round of tests Tony had done he is suddenly sober. I mean as in 'sober thinking'. I think this tough talking Chicago swag is adding a serious tone about his health. How do you maintain a nonchalant attitude about diet when you are facing open-heart surgery, at best? I can help him with this without his becoming a hippie vegan. It just makes me determined to keep moving, keep paying ridiculous attention to my own diabetes, celiac, and the rest... and try to extend the time I have to climb and play. The pic Jan posted of Shadow of a Doubt should be taped to my bathroom mirror as incentive. When everyone around me is napping... I need to remember that I need to get busy. We went to Sherman's Deli for lunch today. Man... they FEED you there. And I got a huge loaf of gluten free bread for the freezer. We did not order dessert!!!   My handiwork... :-)  These are right on the verge. I never got to them to make chili relano, so... is it too late to do something with them? They still feel pretty solid.  |
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Jan, that's why Julie would not let me grow tomatoes this year. Nice handiwork, Lori. |
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Okay, not climbing, exactly, but....I think pretty much any of us could appreciate any body that achieves this sort of artistry, strength, and precision. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtwmQmLOovl/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg== I've seen other things like this, but this, is particularly lovely. I've also been entranced now and then, by some woman who does aerial silks....outside. Off a cliff. H. |
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So... this rock has become my touchstone this year. As I unravel the Comic Book/Buttress area of the Park... Astronomy Rock has been my spot. I did not believe there was a route on it, and then I discovered (Bob told me) that there was. I've watched it now for months... as I take a rest on my way up higher in the hills, I watch the sunrise with Stargazer. So, I was sitting there again this morning, and suddenly noticed something on the upper left corner of the rock. WTF? Is it a rope? A sling? It was flapping in the wind. I wondered if someone had decided to go climb it. How can I have looked at this rock so many times, so closely, and missed this? What is it?  So, we are to have a meteor shower on August 12 from 10 pm to 5 a.m. What better place to view it from than Astronomy Rock? However, something tells me it will be from a lawn chair in my front yard.  By the way. Does anyone remember Lawn Chair Larry?  "He took his pellet gun, a CB radio, sandwiches, beer, and a camera.[4] When the cord that tied his lawn chair to his Jeep broke prematurely, before a planned delay to notify authorities, Walters's lawn chair rose rapidly to a height of about 16,000 feet (4,900 m) and was spotted from two commercial airliners.[3] He slowly drifted over Long Beach and crossed the primary approach corridor of Long Beach Airport." I remember this well. I think Lawn chair Larry got me started on my life of crime. I'm very sad to learn that he has died. |
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Lori, what a great place to view a meteor shower. The most memorable meteor shower of my life occurred many years ago when I was spending a night at Camp Gene, at the eastern terminus of the Colorado River Aqueduct. I can't imagine a place with darker, clearer skies, at least one not one you could drive to. And, BTW, almost two weeks out from surgery, I'm beginning to envision getting past this. It will take a long time and strain my patience with self-restraint. |
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Wendy, I am glad to hear that you are recovering well. |
 Agave Watch Day 112. The stalk has fully flowered and the plant is now in decline. The once vibrant and plump blue-green leaves are starting to shrivel and turn yellow. I feel the parallels with my own bodily journey, yet feel quite serene and quietly joyful about the present moment. |
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My friends Martha and Steve are in VT from Wyoming. Martha was too busy with family to climb but Steve was able to get out. we got some climbs in. he is still rocking it 10 years older than myself.. Following center crack. we had a senior moment and only had one belay devise..  Following extra Stout  this is a fun link up I do occasionally that crosses several climbs but has no official name...  |
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Lorie. hope you stay safe. looks like your fire season just heated up .. Might be a good time to hit the high sierra but bring your passport and anything else thats critical with you... |
Nick Goldsmithwrote: Nick, I hardly know what to do when your pictures don't have ice. these look like fun routes and beautiful nature! I can't say for sure, but I don't think Joshua Tree has many fires. The fires that I experienced were in my old area, Sacramento and Sierra foothills... where lately they have come annually and ravaged thousands of acres of forest. And, I love the summer here. Cannot explain it, I just am a solar-powered person. So we got out for a few perfect hours this morning at Buckets To Burbank... in shade the whole time, and not too warm. It's been a long time since I was there... and I loved the face climbing.  I've noticed this summer that when I leave for a hike the first 15 minutes are killer, and I have to push through. I'm out of breath, feeling very slow and ornery. But if I will endure through that, I'm on a roll and can hike/scramble forever. So... I've been asking my diabetic friends, 'what's up with that first 15 minutes'? And it turns out the athletes all have input on this. I thought perhaps it was a diabetic thing... but sounds like it's just part of warming up. So, too, this may be the problem with those first climbs for me. That first half hour, really, is just awkward, breathless and hard. But if I can hang in there, then I'm good for hours. EXCEPT, I lose muscle/finger/arm strength. So... unless I toss one back in the morning as Russ suggested... I'm just thinking through this specific warmup for climbing issue. It's not really an option to go somewhere with an easy warmup first. How to find that short window when I'm physically alert, muscles ready to work, but not so warmed up that I'm about to lose all power and energy. You pro's must have some advice? -------------- Wendy, I'm SO glad you checked in and that you made it through your surgery ok. Sounds like you have a recovery road ahead but are up for it. I have thought about you often since your surgery and just happy that you sound so chipper. Hang in there! -------------- I guess it really is time for the gym. As I was climbing today I kept thinking "If only I had some tricep strength. If only I had some pullup strength.... etc." It's time to put up or shut up. And there's also the Weenis...if nothing else will get me into the gym, vanity will. 
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