New and experienced climbers over 50 # 25

phylp phylp wrote:

Nick, I think it’s great that you have the bandwidth to take so many great photos when out on your adventures. Especially solo!  I almost never take photos when I’m out climbing with one other person. Two days out with my friend D- not one photo. Yesterday there were three of us and at the very start I remembered to take one photo, then after that, put the phone away and promptly forgot to take more. 

I frequently used to take a camera with me when I went climbing—especially away from my ‘regular’ haunts—-and took lots of pictures ( first film/slide—which I much preferred, then digital). But when my last camera ‘passed away’ ( after too brief an existence) I didn’t replace it, deciding to use my phone instead. But since I made the switch, I find that I rarely take pictures while climbing anymore. Maybe I’ve burnt out on taking climbing pictures, but mostly I think it is the inconvenience of using the phone and worry about dropping it. I mostly used a small point and shoot camera that I carried on a sling over my shoulder, so it was easy to grab, turn on, ‘point and shoot’—as advertised, with little concern about the camera dropping into space. Yeah, I wasn’t getting any cover shots, but was getting decent documentation and capturing some memories. With the phone, though, I have no way to keep it ‘safe’ and to access and handle it easily while climbing, particularly when using it in camera mode. Thinking about ‘regressing’ to a camera again, before my next trip.

Alan Rubin wrote:

I frequently used to take a camera with me when I went climbing—especially away from my ‘regular’ haunts—-and took lots of pictures ( first film/slide—which I much preferred, then digital). But when my last camera ‘passed away’ ( after too brief an existence) I didn’t replace it, deciding to use my phone instead. With the phone, though, I have no way to keep it ‘safe’ and to access and handle it easily while climbing, particularly when using it in camera mode. .

these are really good for climbing shots. iPhone holder with strap

Andrew Rice wrote:

these are really good for climbing shots. iPhone holder with strap

I have a version of that made by Koala. Tend to use it for hiking photos. It does keep it handy. 

Thanks Andrew. Still looks a bit flimsy to me, especially the connections. Over time I used several different ‘systems’, but all involved a regular climbing webbing sling and a biner. None were perfect but all held up to being jarred around and the generally rough treatment often occurring in climbing situations—at least with me involved!!!

For on the rock and multipitch climbing photography, I've always used a Cannon Elph. 

It's the smallest camera that Cannon makes, and easily fits into your pocket. 20 MP with pretty good resolution. 

I use a cannon power shot. equivalent of 25mm to something too big to use . It has image stabilization and enough controls to trick the camera into doing what i want it to do.   the key is to look for the widest zoom that you can find. the distance zooms suck and are ussless after about 140mm as the image quality falls off rapidly and the aperture gets smaller letting in less light and slowing the shutter speed. anything that has a digital zoom don't even bother using the digital zoom. Its not a real zoom its just cropping.   the powershot is a little bigger than the Elph and that makes it a bit easier to use with gloves but it's still really small. my current climbing camera has gone 60+ meters at least twice and still sort of works. previous versions suffered similar fates and were retired. these things last 4 or 5  years and get replaced. sometimes sooner.  i would never use a phone for climbing photos. Phone stays in the pack turned off so that it will work in case of real emergency.  photography was my real job for about 15 years. Photography for me  has always been an important part of climbing. 

Nick I'm trying to work out where you climbed, I googled it but I'm not sure it was the right place. Can you let me know where so I can look it up? I also like checking out places on my globe as it gives a different perspective. Is it in Maine?

My 'lobbying' to get the older category added to my local roped climbing comp was successful; they've added a 'over 50 ish' TRing category which is cool. It's a cool vibe at this place, it's the one and only roped climbing gym in the state of South Australia so everyone knows everyone.

Now I have to decide what to wear for the comp. Maybe not my tights?

we climbed two days at Green Head Cove  St John New Brunswick Canada , two days at Mt Forist NH USA and one day at Barrets Cove Camden ME USA

An unexpected surprise on this thread is seeing all the lovely pictures of so many areas of the United States and Australia.
I got this picture from the top of turtle rock yesterday.

more importantly, I just had to take a picture of the slab I was climbing or trying to climb. That little bit of chalk identified the “jug” intended for grabbing.  

i’m a little disappointed in myself because i’m still not back 100%. I still have stomach issues that come and go but this is twice now where a little much exertion in heat caused me to be too sick to climb any further. Even so it was such a beautiful afternoon and evening.

EDIT: This is kind of a comical, not-so-comical update on the neighborhood situation here.  My neighbor, who was captured by the SWAT team and all the military equipment they could drive onto our small block, just came back from 4 months in rehab... and he looks tan and healthy and great.  And SO apologetic.  But the neighbor next to him felt he had to carry on the tradition... and attacked another neighbor with a knife, and was arrested for assault.  I've known that neighbor now almost four years, and he is always on "Day 2 of my recovery".  It just seems that meth, alcohol, relapse, guns and violence are so common here.  Maybe there were common in my old home town... but never right next door.  

I've been asking for stories, to flesh out what was happening here in Joshua Tree (and other local areas) bitd.  This article showed up on my Fb page... I'm sorry there isn't a link.  

It's hard to describe the feeling of wandering around this vast place and KNOWING fun happened here... trying to imagine how all these thousands of routes came to be, and what went on as they were being discovered.  So, this tells some of the story....(Posted by dan Delange)

Feb 7, 2006 - 11:13pm PTNow, the Stonemasters (whoever they may have been) were always a good group to go climbing with. The assembled group (always spontaneous, seldom planned) would head up to the crag and, somehow, the day's project would coalesce. If someone had something in mind, that would be the target. And, often that project would be a mass ascent. A massively multiplayer game...Infrequently, it would be a new line. Someone would have some bolts in their bag, and we'd draw straws to appoint someone to go "stand on the dimes" and pound the sucker home. Of course, the rest would have a toprope, so no worries... A good example of this is, I'm pretty sure, was a modest little route on Suicide called "Jigsaw" on the Sunkist Face. (Vogel calls it a 10a *, FA: Tobin Sorenson, Bill Antel, John Long, Rob Muir, Richard Harrison and Bruce Foster.)I actually recall that there were others, and it seems to me that there were ten (10) folk on the first, but whatever... The point is, it was fun, we had friends, and we all lent moral support to the endeavor. It was a kick to heckle the leader and everyone got a share of the action. Plus, the joint-effort (pun intended) meant that we were developing a common lore and communal bond.The "push" was always there, and the (usually) good-natured banter helped each of us to climb a bit above the ordinary. Everyone was "good", we were all "equals" in skills and--damn it--we always needed to prove it to each other!  So most weekends were filled with new projects.But sometimes it was just to check out the competition... And, in many instances, the competition was the older generation. Guys like Kamps, Higgins, Ivan, Dent, and those LA boys, Frost, Yvon, TM, Robbins... They put up many of days' test pieces, and we needed to see if we could meet the challenge. So, if a new route wasn't in the cards, happenstance meant sending someone up some unknown line just to make sure the aura was kept in check.I don't recall when it was, but Tobin plays prominent in this story. So it must have been prior to 1980... Largo could always be counted-on to come up with a project, and he usually could suck^h^h^h^h convince someone to tie into the sharp end. Tobin was a willing lad, always one to please.Somehow, we were up near the summit of Tahquitz; having done what, I can't recall. (Was it the mass ascent of The Hangover?) Anyway, there were 8, 10 or a dozen of us, and Largo said, "Tobin, this one!" Pointing to... Big Daddy. (5.10c FFA: Frost & Higgins) Don't recall if any of us had ever done this route, but that didn't matter... It would be cake, and then the rest of us would have a top rope.Now the rock was friable in places, the first 15 feet were easy and then there was this awkward bit, somewhat poorly protected with an OLD fixed Lost Arrow or summat... And, above was a flared crack jutting through an overhang. Hardly a ripe plum. Even chausey. But, like I said, Tobin was game. Not to mention sometimes bold and foolhardy.So, off he goes. Tied into some 2" swami, up he led to the fixed pin. From below, we all watched with good-hearted chuckles and encouragements, as he clipped-in to a "reportedly" manky pin. But with no hammer, he couldn't do anything to drive it further home. Up he lofts, looking increasing shakey as the rock gets softer and the grit starts raining down. "Tobin, drop in some pro..." But there's not much to work with, as the crack is pretty rounded and shallow.You had to climb with Tobin, to know that courage and speed could usually overcome the fear of long falls or bad protection. Why spend time mucking-around with runners and sh#t, if you'd be through the hard part soon enough? Trust in providence...But Tobin does land the requisite nut, and adds a longer runner so that the trailing cord won't dislodge it. "Whew. That's better," says the throng at the base, enjoying the show.And Tobin heads to the roof...Now things start to get quiet and just a bit tense. Tobin is starting to flounder, and things are getting more awkward. Tobin climbs up into the flair, and then retreats down a bit. The clock is ticking. He tries it again, but doesn't get too much farther and it's pretty clear that the jams are shallow and insecure. More pebbles pepper the people. The EBs are skating.Now the ribbing is always there, and it sometimes masks the mutual affection that we Stonemasters had for one another. No one wants anyone hurt, and the invincibility of youth means no one will. But the rude mug of danger is rearing its ugly head, and Tobin is staring it right in the eye. He's still hanging in there... He glances at us, we stare back at him, and things aren't quite so fun at the moment.He shifts his feet. More sand. The hands begin to loosen, and he trys to re-slot. Oh dear....Now he's, like, sixty feet up and the base slants up and to the right so the spectators are RIGHT THERE with him. He's been hanging for 10 or 15 minutes, trying to fight through this overhang, and then it happens...Down slides the nut, and the 'biner clinks up against the lone, questionable piton. Tobin doesn't know this. He's busy. Oh god!"Say, Tobin, how 'bout the right foot?" "Can you down climb a bit?" "Match hands!"Tobin: "Hey, Richard, ya got me? I'm gonna drop."The assembled throng: (In unison.) "NO! Don't drop, man!!" "Keep going!"Tobin: (Argumentatively.) "No, I'm gonna drop."Us: (With feeling and emphasis.) "NOOOO!" "Don't!"Argument over. Whump, down he drops, lifting Richard Harrison right up into the air, and bringing Tobin into equilibrium again 10 feet from the deck. Whump, the air is thrust from our lungs, as a dark silence drops on the fun. Whump and whew! Tobin is quietly lowered to the earth, leaving a rope draped through the single peg of chromoly.No one's in too much of a hurry to show Tobin up, after that. But Largo does have the Scottish good sense to go retrieve the biner... And climbs up to find that the so-called fixed piton can be lifted out with a finger!While it lasted, Tobin climbed with the angels. No one was ever as lucky as he! Ever.rmuir

RIP Tobin 

Still miss seeing your face 

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

we climbed two days at Green Head Cove  St John New Brunswick Canada , two days at Mt Forist NH USA and one day at Barrets Cove Camden ME USA

Cheers. 

I don't know how or why but Tony has selected a new place for me to climb.  https://www.mountainproject.com/area/110641207/dws-east-side  

Anyone been there, done that?  

Aside from that, we've been talking about playing pool somewhere around here.  I miss it a lot.  Turns out Tony does, too.  Can anyone recommend a good pool hall not too far away?  

Lori Milas wrote:

I don't know how or why but Tony has selected a new place for me to climb.  https://www.mountainproject.com/area/110641207/dws-east-side  

Anyone been there, done that?  

Aside from that, we've been talking about playing pool somewhere around here.  I miss it a lot.  Turns out Tony does, too.  Can anyone recommend a good pool hall not too far away?  

Yucca bowl used to have tables.  Bar inside too.  No kombucha though.

Ever since I suggested you work on that pineal/3rd eye situation you've been pushing the kombucha.  A little kombucha wouldn't hurt you, Russ... and it might make you a much sweeter person.   

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I was hiking in a new area, and paying such close attention to watching the ground for any possible snakes that I totally missed this beautiful little family of six hiking right next to me.  They were SO close that I was startled to look up and see them milling about parallel to me. 

  

My first thought when I saw the dad was gee... those are big horns.  I have not recently googled whether these are the type of animal to CHARGE.    I mean seriously, I have no idea of whether or not they might become irritated at having me so close... but I took a seat on a nearby rock and just sat with them, they were not bothered by me at all.  When the little one grazed to within a few feet of me, dad started to look concerned.  I thought perhaps I should head on out.  This was such a memorable morning. 

I was playing soft Hawaiian music... ukele and yodeling and all.  I think they liked it.  Mahalo.  

It was all going so well--no snakes under rocks!--until I was sort of happily heading back to my car along a trail I've walked dozens of times, when this guy appeared immediately next to the trail.

This was not where I expected to find another rattlesnake.  I jumped back and gave a wide berth.  Very shortly he emerged from this bush, along the trail, and heading in my direction. (this pic is after I was well past him/her)

Whereas the previous 4 snakes I've run into did not feel threatening... this situation absolutely did.  I narrowly missed a serious encounter.  And that rattle was so soft there is no way I would have heard it...just a very faint little buzz. 

I mean... I really feel like I need to know.... just how bad could a bite be?  By my reckoning, it would be 30 minute walk back to my car, 20 minutes out of the park, and another 20-30 minutes to the hospital.  Would I be ok that long?  Is there immediate pain?  I understand there is nothing to do but 'get to help'.  

What a gorgeous, wild and wonderful desert this is.  (And no kombucha... )

Lori Milas wrote:

It was all going so well--no snakes under rocks!--until I was sort of happily heading back to my car along a trail I've walked dozens of times, when this guy appeared immediately next to the trail.

This was not where I expected to find another rattlesnake.  I jumped back and gave a wide berth.  Very shortly he emerged from this bush, along the trail, and heading in my direction. (this pic is after I was well past him/her)

Whereas the previous 4 snakes I've run into did not feel threatening... this situation absolutely did.  I narrowly missed a serious encounter.  And that rattle was so soft there is no way I would have heard it...just a very faint little buzz. 

I mean... I really feel like I need to know.... just how bad could a bite be?  By my reckoning, it would be 30 minute walk back to my car, 20 minutes out of the park, and another 20-30 minutes to the hospital.  Would I be ok that long?  Is there immediate pain?  I understand there is nothing to do but 'get to help'.  

What a gorgeous, wild and wonderful desert this is.  (And no kombucha... )

Seems like you had a really blessed wildlife day, Lori. Most people go their entire lives without seeing a single bighorn, much less a herd up close like that. FYI, they're really timid. Never going to charge you.

You really spooked that snake! Poor guy. Short answer about how bad a bite is would depend a lot. But you would survive. 

Randy wrote:

This is so true! 50+ is rife with former pros and elite riders.

Fortunately, the races I have done recently have both 60-64 and 65+ (and some have 70+) categories. While there are a number of super strong guys in the 65+, it isn't so bad that you can't feel somewhat competitive.

I hear ya. Need to stack on just a few more years... last man standing and all that. If my knees hold out.  Ha ha ha ha.

Done a little local JT mountain biking up at Section 6 (not much in the way of mileage) with Cal before she went electric like Dylan, but haven't made it up to Big Bear yet.
Would like to try that out at some point.

Edit: I do the odd mountain bike race from time to time, but after a few years of road racing (bike) when I was young, mountain biking racing never really brought anything competitive out in me. For road racing, if you're fit enough, you can make your move and pass when you want. With mountain biking, t's too much of a pain in the azz to pass someone when the bulk of the course is single track or slightly bigger. The last "race" I did was the Whiskey Offroad in Prescott in 2019. Loved it, but I estimated I lost about 20 minutes backed up in the queue on the windy narrow singletrack section of the course. I just don't have it in me to be the kind of arsewad it takes to pass someone on that stuff. Saw some incredibly rude and dangerous things from the guys that were. 
 

Passing on singletrack can be a pain, but riders are generally pretty good about giving you just enough space to get by, if you gun it. But, unlike road races, Mt Bike races are often won or lost within the first couple hundred yards, because once you get behind the train of riders, catching up is difficult.

Got out this morning with the kids. I got to lead a couple of nice sport climbs. naturally no pictures of me. 

I'm just back yesterday evening, from COR. It was hot, we bailed, but we did make a terrific side trip yesterday, and found a boulder problem! Okay, the boulder is relatively easy, but the grade is upped by being about 9000 feet, AND a barefoot-in-the-snow start!

Even being a super short trip, it was still mission accomplished. I was there to help with food prep for the 200ish attendees of the Idaho Mtn Fest. Did that Wednesday afternoon, and part of Thursday. 

Went to climb a bit....j

So, so hot.

Friday morning....neither of us was enthused about just being there, with the heat. Even the pool was unenticing, out in the sun.

So we did what we never do, and made a nearby sude trip, to chase elevation, and coolness!

Lake Cleaveland, true alpine. The nearby ski area, Pomerelle, often has 100" snow.

The lake is probably the highest elevation camping in Idaho, at about 9000'! Lots of fishing going on, paddleboards, kayaks.....no swimmers whatever. We stuck our feet in. Yowza! Probably not icy enough for Nick, but we didn't even wade, lol! 

Then, more elevation!

Up to that snow patch, with the alpine flowers all going huge this year. None of my pics do anything any justice at all.

Then the top out of Mount Harrison.

The fire lookout is still operating. Over 9000 feet, and 360° views. It's smokyish here lately, sadly, but, if it was clear, the view would be a very long ways. Much of south central Idaho, Nevada, Utah, likely the Lost River range (home to our big big mountains).....and? Maybe? The tetons??? That would mean Wyoming. 

Back home before sunset yesterday. Catcat was so pleased she meowed. Twice!

Now it's back to it, here, try and get the yard under control, housework done, etc, before the next trip, coming up soon. Zero climbing, but it will be a great one! Eastern Idaho parks (Island Park, Harriman Park, and Henry's fork area should mean something to a couple of you at least!), and nearby Montana/Wyoming. Yellowstone included! Should be wildlife galore sorta trip.

I'm getting the artist itch sometimes lately, so it's probably time to try and get that going again. Maybe even sign up for classes, or even take a college level class again. I'm pretty good at it....but not now. Way way out of practice.

Best, Helen