New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #32

Idaho Bobwrote:

Hmm, I didn't realize that Biden was President in 2014 when Russia invaded and annexed the Crimea.  

President Obama was.

American foreign policy is a tricky deal. Agreements need to be honored, or we will never be able to make any more agreements.

Li- if you don’t remember, The Budapest Memorandum in early 90’s got Ukraine to surrender its Nuclear Arms with the promise that America and The UK would guarantee Ukraine sovereignty.   So that’s a promise we need to keep. But I don’t believe NATO should encroach on the borders of Russia. That’s very dangerous IMHO. To be honest- I think NATO has long outlived its purpose and should be disbanded.
As should the UN.
George Washington warned us about foreign agreements- we should listen to his wise words.

Went climbing at LA’s latest hot spot yesterday- the temperatures only got up to 60’s . I was cold and couldn’t get warmed up- so I stopped torturing myself after 2 climbs. Getting very old, I reckon my Ice Climbing days are over. My Mountain climbing days are also in the past.
Time to focus on sunny roadside crags loaded with 5.7-5.10 slabs.

Lori - I hope Tony is improving. Thinking of both of you.

Later all 

Guy Keeseewrote:

 I was cold and couldn’t get warmed up- so I stopped torturing myself after 2 climbs.
Time to focus on sunny roadside crags loaded with 5.7-5.10 slabs.

I have the same problem. It seems like every year older that I get, I have more trouble dealing with the cold. (Yes, under 60 degrees!)  Too many years living in the Mojave Desert? Circulation problems? General feebleness? 

Guy, let's meet up at New Jack sometime this winter.

Brandt you got that.
I will let you know of my plans.

Guy Keeseewrote:

Brandt you got that.
I will let you know of my plans.

Gosh, Guy... seems just yesterday you were going in for surgery, then you were out of surgery but in some pain still, then carefully walking 1/2 block, a block, 1/2 mile.. and now you are climbing.  It's been a long journey, and I'm so happy for you.    

I know some people like to blame their frailties on old age... but are you sure it's that?  I'm dealing with some physical issues that any doctor would say "well, you're old!".  What I think is, my body is taking a real beating out there and it takes greater measures to heal.  Accumulated injuries and stressors add up.  I'll give a little credit to age, but mostly I feel like this is just the breaks for being so active on such a hard playing field.  

I had to cancel climbing today. (I think it's a first, or close to it).  I've been having stomach issues all year, and they've finally caught up with me.  (It's a part of Type 1 Diabetes).  But on top of that, my knee is VERY painful.  When I went to Kaiser about it last year, my doc was certain this was 'age related arthritis'.  So, he took an MRI, and was shocked to see that my knees are FINE, not arthritic.  I had a ligament strain from high stepping on the rock.  Stop calling us old!!!  

While hanging out at Intersection talking to Bob he reviewed a stretching routine.  I have to admit, I have not been keeping up with stretching.  I seem to recall that Phylp has a great routine.?  

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So, I didn't get to get back to my project today.  It has me fascinated, but I don't know if I can ever climb it clean.  The route is half chimney, and then half slab.   When you finally get to the top of the chimney, then you are facing another 35-40 feet of very steep slab.  Who has the energy for that?  

I've gone everywhere looking for books on the history of the tribes here.  I was finally told yesterday that there is NO written material on our local tribes, but that there is a museum on the Reservation in Palm Springs that has everything I'm looking for.  So... I'll bring a lunch and go spend some time there.  

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I'm trying to contain my anger and outrage at Tony's situation.  I was present last week when the Dietician came in and took prodigious notes on Tony's diet, needs, etc.  They agreed that Tony needed a lot more food, more protein, and a protein shake with two meals a day.  None of that has happened.  Last night Tony got a small square of pizza with tomato sauce for dinner.  One egg for breakfast.  He is 240 pounds and recovering from a major surgery.  How can he heal?  I brought him a protein shake yesterday, and he wolfed down a Double Double from In and Out.  But I can't do this every day.  So, I'm going to schedule a meeting with that Dietician tomorrow, and maybe whoever runs the place.  This whole experience has felt like a program to make and keep patients weak.

Don't get sick.  Just don't wind up in a place where you may not ever leave.  

Li Huwrote:

Okay, this is frightening.

Biden just approved sending long range missiles to Ukraine. “Moscow warns US missile authorization may mark new level of involvement in conflict”

Ukraine is losing the war, no matter how much weaponry we send them. Russians are basically sending out foot soldiers to disable the most sophisticated weapons the West has to offer, and succeeding.

The money spent, sanctions that tanked the European economy and all the extra lives lost due to our attempt to meddle are all wasted.

Sending long range missiles to hit Moscow are exactly why this conflict began in the first place when we threatened Russia by looking into having Ukraine join NATO.

Li Hu, I am sorry, but you seem very ill- informed concerning the Ukraine war, naïve about the Russians and not understanding the consequences of allowing Putin to succeed. Allowing the Ukrainians to properly defend themselves with the weapons is extremely over do. Biden and the eunuch Scholz's  drip feeding of promised aid with completely BS excuses so they couldn't maintain momentum in driving the invaders out is reprehensible. To this day they haven't ramped up artillery shell production close to what is needed nor sent nearly what they promised .It allowed the Russians to develop much stronger defensive lines against counteroffensives, adapt and build more resources, causing more death in the long run and didn't keep the US any safer. Russia knows perfectly well, despite the scare mongering intended to petrify the US and Europe, that it would be suicidal for them to use nukes or attack NATO directly.

A cease fire while Russia still controls so much important Ukrainian land, and especially without the protection of being allowed in Nato would be a disaster. As soon as it happens, Ukraine would lose a lot of it's population who know perfectly well Putin will just rearm and make another move. Treaties with him are meaningless. Business would also not invest in Ukraine, so the country would not have an economy or the people to defend itself. Also for all the screaming by maga types that we are "giving" huge amounts of money to them, most of the money stays in the US, and much of the equipment is old and would otherwise have to be decommissioned. It is also much cheaper to help them doing the fighting rather than us and the other Europeans having to do it later. The war is absolutely brutal and disgusting, but it is all on Putin. Nato was no offensive threat to Russia. Their problems are self caused.

Sorry to bring politics in, but I couldn't stomach the Putin talking points. 

A simple way to view what is happening in the Ukraine.

You(Ukraine) live in your house in your neighborhood and have an agreement with your neighbors to let each other live in peace. But your one a-hole neighbor keeps messing with your family, your property line and your property. You have had enough and are thinking about joining the neighborhood watch program and upgrading your security system. Your neighbor  comes over and says "How dare you try to protect yourself" and then tries to kill you. 

Every single one of you would tell your a-hole neighbor to f off, yet here we are doing mental gymnastics to make it  Ukraine's fault. 

Brandt Allenwrote:

I have the same problem. It seems like every year older that I get, I have more trouble dealing with the cold. (Yes, under 60 degrees!)  Too many years living in the Mojave Desert? Circulation problems? General feebleness? 

Guy, let's meet up at New Jack sometime this winter.

I've definitely been 'feeling' the cold ( and the heat) more as I have gotten older. I was never great in the cold, but significantly worse now. My friends call me Goldilocks because there is only a quite narrow temperature range that I now feel is 'just right' for outdoor climbing. These days once it gets below 60, I'm thinking of heading to the gym. Mid-50s is ok in the direct sun with no wind--rare conditions in New England!!! The time of year also effects things, as temperatures that feel too cold now, will likely seem much more reasonable mid-winter after weeks of being below freezing. There is another thread on MP right now basically on the same topic.

On a totally different ( political) topic, I fully agree with Mark S. on Ukraine. Anyone familiar with 20th Century history understands that appeasing aggression only leads to more, and more serious, aggression. Putin has been very clear about his intention to recreate his version of the old Russian empire. Unfortunately, Trump will do what he can to make it easier for him.

In terms of aid for Ukraine, one of the great mistakes that the Biden administration made was couching the aid in terms of “billions of dollars,” which sounds impressive.  The truth is that most of the vehicles that were sent over were older models no longer used by the Army, and that would have to be demiled and scrapped, or sent to friendly countries at cost. As for ammunition, fuses and rocket motors actually expire. This means that the old stuff has to be used up in training, or be destroyed, a very expensive process. You can only conduct so much training. This includes most of the ATACMS, GMLRS and Patriots. The Pentagon is actually saving money by sending this stuff to Ukraine.

Ask for policy, the drip of military aid allowed the 2022/23 Ukrainian counteroffensives to culminate and for the Russians to recover. That, combined with Ukrainian inability to strike Russian staging areas and forward airfields, allowed the Russians to go back on the offensive in 2023, which continues to this day.

Finally, keep in mind that right before the invasion, Ukraine offered neutrality, a long-term lease on Crimea, and autonomy for the Donbass. The Russians invaded it anyway.

So here’s my recollection and maybe someone can fill in the blanks. We all watched as Russia invaded Ukraine, and it was huge news for months as Ukraine was getting hammered. Zelinski came forward as an incredible leader and appealed to the world for support. We watched whole cities being bombed and decimated and children killed. The US was fully in support of Ukraine and of sending money, but with caveats that we would not supply weapons of war.

Seems like about two years ago everything changed and Zelensky came to talk to Congress several more times and people walked out. there was a flat refusal to send more money, but it seems that the compromise was to send just enough dribbles of cash and goods over there to keep Ukraine from going under entirely but certainly not enough to make headway.

So Ukraine has continued to get hammered but there’s no way they can do this alone… and we have done very little to support them (relative to their actual need), and there seems to be huge animosity now from our country. But now, just a few months before Biden leaves Office, he wants to make the magnanimous gesture. Isn’t it the case that all Putin has to do is wait out a couple of months and Trump will give him the whole shootin’ match?  Why have we not been able to pick a lane? Doesn’t Zelensky know he’s toast?  

Lori Milaswrote:

 . Isn’t it the case that all Putin has to do is wait out a couple of months and Trump will give him the whole shootin’ match?  Why have we not been able to pick a lane? Doesn’t Zelensky know he’s toast?  

What makes you think Trump won't help Ukraine? Has he stated that?

FrankPSwrote:

What makes you think Trump won't help Ukraine? Has he stated that?

If he doesn't I would be surprised,  same with Israel.  The defense industry is counting on it and both parties are slaves to them.

Last day in Arizona, cold and windy and climbing in a down jacket. Made a new high point, move 10 of an 18 move problem, but no send.  I need to really train up for this one.

M Mwrote:

If he doesn't I would be surprised,  same with Israel.  The defense industry is counting on it and both parties are slaves to them.

Politics is the entertainment division of the military industrial complex.

Frank Zappa

Lori, 

In 2018 I spent a total of 5 weeks in ICU and another 7 weeks bouncing around 6 different medical facilities due to a clot in my intestine. During the process I had surgery with complications, heart problems, lung problems. I was intubated long enough that if I couldn't come off the respirator I would need a tractotomy. Dialysis to remove excess fluid and to help my one surviving kidney hopefully keep functioning. A feeding tube for about 10 weeks of the journey.

All this to say I and none of my family ever had the feeling that the medical community was doing less than their best to promote a good outcome. Never!

Maybe my situation is due to location. I don't know. But I will say I could not have been treated better.

As for the nutritionist, once I could prove I could swallow again I was almost force fed to the point I was flushing food down the toilet to make it seem like I was eating it all.

Yes it was a tough journey. From re learning to swallow, eat, walk and even think. But thankfully the system knew what was was needed to get me back home.

I wish you and Tony the best. It can't be easy going through all of it by yourself.

K Mwrote:

Lori, 

In 2018 I spent a total of 5 weeks in ICU and another 7 weeks bouncing around 6 different medical facilities due to a clot in my intestine. During the process I had surgery with complications, heart problems, lung problems. I was intubated long enough that if I couldn't come off the respirator I would need a tractotomy. Dialysis to remove excess fluid and to help my one surviving kidney hopefully keep functioning. A feeding tube for about 10 weeks of the journey.

All this to say I and none of my family ever had the feeling that the medical community was doing less than their best to promote a good outcome. Never!

Maybe my situation is due to location. I don't know. But I will say I could not have been treated better.

As for the nutritionist, once I could prove I could swallow again I was almost force fed to the point I was flushing food down the toilet to make it seem like I was eating it all.

Yes it was a tough journey. From re learning to swallow, eat, walk and even think. But thankfully the system knew what was was needed to get me back home.

I wish you and Tony the best. It can't be easy going through all of it by yourself.

Wow KM, you're quite a fighter. My deepest respect for your strength of spirit. And your gratitude for those in a position to help you. I wish you the best of continued health.

Wasn't it foreign "entanglements" Washington warned of? ^^^

M Spraguewrote:

Li Hu, I am sorry, but you seem very ill- informed concerning the Ukraine war, naïve about the Russians and not understanding the consequences of allowing Putin to succeed. Allowing the Ukrainians to properly defend themselves with the weapons is extremely over do. Biden and the eunuch Scholz's  drip feeding of promised aid with completely BS excuses so they couldn't maintain momentum in driving the invaders out is reprehensible. To this day they haven't ramped up artillery shell production close to what is needed nor sent nearly what they promised .It allowed the Russians to develop much stronger defensive lines against counteroffensives, adapt and build more resources, causing more death in the long run and didn't keep the US any safer. Russia knows perfectly well, despite the scare mongering intended to petrify the US and Europe, that it would be suicidal for them to use nukes or attack NATO directly.

A cease fire while Russia still controls so much important Ukrainian land, and especially without the protection of being allowed in Nato would be a disaster. As soon as it happens, Ukraine would lose a lot of it's population who know perfectly well Putin will just rearm and make another move. Treaties with him are meaningless. Business would also not invest in Ukraine, so the country would not have an economy or the people to defend itself. Also for all the screaming by maga types that we are "giving" huge amounts of money to them, most of the money stays in the US, and much of the equipment is old and would otherwise have to be decommissioned. It is also much cheaper to help them doing the fighting rather than us and the other Europeans having to do it later. The war is absolutely brutal and disgusting, but it is all on Putin. Nato was no offensive threat to Russia. Their problems are self caused.

Sorry to bring politics in, but I couldn't stomach the Putin talking points. 

A very wise man once told me: “Mark Sprague…. That man is a genius!!!”

I have to agree….

ed “ the same wise man also advised: ‘ break only one law at a time…’” e

philip bonewrote:

Wasn't it foreign "entanglements" Washington warned of? ^^^

It’s funny that history just keeps repeating itself when one country attempts to “help” another.

BRICs is pretty much assured thanks to Trump and Biden. I don’t think the “new and improved” Trump can stop it, but he may be able to negotiate some parity and maintain the current value of the dollar.

Last Barrow sunset until January. Headed south to a conference and job interview in Seattle and then a week at a tiny cabin in the greater Index metropolitan area over Thanksgiving. Stoked!

philip bonewrote:

Wasn't it foreign "entanglements" Washington warned of? ^^^

Damm it bone…. Now I need to go back and listen to the original speech. I studied that 45 years ago.
A quick internet search lead me to Wiki… not a very reliable source. That list him saying “foreign influence” …. You say “entanglements” . I said “agreements” …… 

I’ll listen to the replay….

Colden …. Best of luck with the interview