50 years old -- climbing two days in a row?

Hey fellow climbers,

Been climbing about seven years. I'm 50 and I normally climb Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the gym. But my work schedule is about to lighten up substantially. I'm wondering if I can pull off a bit more climbing, but it would result in two days of climbing in a row. I've heard from a serious climber friend that it's really tough on the fingers to climb two days in a row. Thoughts? Thanks!

I suppose it depends on the surface you are climbing on. Takes some time to toughen up. I often go two without issues. Might hamper your guitar or needle point. 

No two 50 year olds are the same.
Why not give it a try and see what happens?

Go hard day one, go for mileage day two

M M wrote:

Go hard day one, go for mileage day two

This.  I’m 64 and prefer a day or two off in between, but I do fine with bouldering on day one, then roped mileage on day two. 

I'll be 50 in 2 months, I typically won't climb 2 days in a row because the joints in my fingers & elbows can't take the load without rest. I'll do it occasionally if the weather forecast is bad on my next scheduled day to climb or if I'm on a climbing trip but 2nd day will be strictly volume/easier climbs. A partner advised me to do some preventive rehab by exercising the oppositional muscles & it looks like it's helping.

As Mark said, go ahead & try it but back off if you feel discomfort. No sense risking injury.

I'm a 'fair bit' over 50 and doing 2 days in a row ( once a week--then mostly alternate days) has been okay for me. I'm not pushing difficulty these days, so for me 'mileage' is the focus ( though much of it fairly close to my current limits) on both days. I am invariably sore at the start of day 2, but once I 'get going' am still able to function quite well. Trying to go a third day, though ( as sometimes happens during a weather window on a road trip), is another story!!! I've done it, but definitely experienced diminishing returns!!! Ah, for the days of youth--like my 50s, when I could do a week straight on a road trip!!!!

Jeremy L wrote:

I'll be 50 in 2 months, I typically won't climb 2 days in a row because the joints in my fingers & elbows can't take the load without rest. I'll do it occasionally if the weather forecast is bad on my next scheduled day to climb or if I'm on a climbing trip but 2nd day will be strictly volume/easier climbs. A partner advised me to do some preventive rehab by exercising the oppositional muscles & it looks like it's helping.

As Mark said, go ahead & try it but back off if you feel discomfort. No sense risking injury.

This is me as well.

I'm 53 and no longer do 2 consecutive days unless I am on a trip for climbing and then it will be an easy day switched with a hard day.

My elbows and shoulders just don't like it.

When I do go 2+ days in a row, I warm up and cool down each day way more than normal.

I’m well in my mid fifties and routinely climb two days in a row. I generally find that I climb better on the second day, but I do have to measure myself a bit on day one. 

Youngsters these days!

I have some bad news for you.

Whatever age related problems you have-they’re gonna get worse…..  

50 is just a Littell kid ;)    Rock climbing I have no problem rock climbing two days in a row especially on trips but I usually don't push myself to failure on rock.  Ice climbing I need two full days of recovery.. 

I am going through a similar thing at 66, which specifically is hiking in boots with a pack. Since I am preparing for a summer of alpine climbing, I need to be able to go multiple days. I recently started going multiple days in a row, 2-4. I then rest as many as I need to recover. It's training the body to do what you need, or want. And it is working,  in every regard. And this is after a twenty+ year layoff. 

Your body is now accustomed to the every other day routine. If you want to prepare for say weekend climbing trips, then go two days in a row,  take the difficulty down a notch, and get plenty of time. Then rest as many days as you need for a full recovery. You might add down climbing to your gym routine. 

I have just started going to the local gym myself. Right now I need most of a week to recover from that. Soon I will add an outdoor day on real rock per week. 

Train for your needs,  or desires. Listen to your body. It will tell you how much rest you need, but you have to hear what it's telling you. It's possible you will improve faster by reducing your days to two per week. Really the most important thing is: what do you want to accomplish?

I'm 63 in few months, climber last 8 years. I climb 3-5 days per week. I warm up inside or out with general movement and some hold gripping (lightly). I have hard days (for me) and easy days depending on how I feel. I down climb most boulders (indoors) and know my "out" holds before starting. I rarely boulder outside mostly entertaining myself with the first move or two on V-above-my-grade when going along with younger friends. Weekends are 1-2 days most weekends outside 5.6-5.10a yds, plenty of following and TRs. Chocolate and fluids keep me moving. In the gym I start light 10.a and may climb up to 11c if the day feels right.

Lots of great advice above.

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

50 is just a Littell kid ;)    Rock climbing I have no problem rock climbing two days in a row especially on trips but I usually don't push myself to failure on rock.  Ice climbing I need two full days of recovery.. 

This surprises me - what is it about ice? I’m not much of an ice climber but I find rock more strenuous overall. 

I'm 63 and two days in a row is not a problem for me.

I’m 56 and planning a month in Yosemite this summer. Should I plan a rest day or just go for it!

I think it really depends on what your goals are.  I am still trying to push the grades at age 52 and find that climbing two days on is pretty much impossible.  I get injured and have to take time off too much if I overdo it.  I typically climb or do specific training 3 days a week, lift heavy (for me) one day a week, and do climbing specific yoga at least 2 days a week.  It has allowed me to not get injured (should be everyone's number one goal) and to climb at a pretty decent (again for me) level.

Ice involves big aproaches, fighting the elements all day . Just that energy to keep your core and your extremities warm is significant. then add the physicality of climbing 5+ ice..    How many multi pitch grade 5 ice climbs have you led over 60 years of age?   Rock for me is very technicle and I rely on footwork.  I also try to be footwork centric ice climbing but it's still a full contact battle compared to rock climbing. 

I'm 70 and since Nov. 1, I've been climbing 5-6 days per week, only outdoors, no gym climbing. Up to 6b+ clean on toprope (I can't lead that hard but toproping is fun for me) and up to 7a+ toprope with some hanging. Grades here are soft but prob equivalent to upper 5.10s or maybe low .11s on YDS.  Anywhere from 1-6 pitches per day so 100-600 vertical feet.

not a problem. For the first few weeks I would be sore at the beginning of the day but once on the climbs I am fine. My target is 200 climbing days this year and so far I am on track

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

Ice involves big aproaches, fighting the elements all day . Just that energy to keep your core and your extremities warm is significant. then add the physicality of climbing 5+ ice..    How many multi pitch grade 5 ice climbs have you led over 60 years of age?   Rock for me is very technicle and I rely on footwork.  I also try to be footwork centric ice climbing but it's still a full contact battle compared to rock climbing. 

Zero. I’m 43!