New and experienced climbers over 50 #36

Colden Dark wrote:

Here’s a question I’d like to pose to this group: why do you live where you live? Here’s why I’m posing this question: 1. I’m pretty baked 2. most folks on this thread seem to live either in the northeast/New England or California. I realize there are some international stragglers, but most seem to live in these two regions. And there are a lot of accomplished climbers here, obviously. 

I split my time between small towns in British Columbia and Idaho.  Both offer great skiing, good local climbing and great climbing within a reasonable drive.  Lots of mountain biking, OK road biking.  Both within 2 hour drive of airports and decent international connections.  Both with extremely low crime rates, good health care, good school systems. Both with many residents who are real athletes and fun to hang with.  Both with forward thinking residents who are concerned about over development and want to protect the environment.  Both with secure water supply (this was the first item on our "must have" list when we left New England).  Both DEI friendly.

I live in Massachusetts because of work.  I make a lot of money per hour so I only have to work part time.  Thar said, I have great climbing 10 minutes away, my trail into the state forest is right across the street, and my town has fewer than 950 residents .  Also a great climbing gym 35 minutes away and lots of friends in the area.

I would like to move to Arizona when I finally retire but Paula doesn’t like the lack of water out there.

Colden Dark wrote:

Here’s a question I’d like to pose to this group: why do you live where you live? Here’s why I’m posing this question: 1. I’m pretty baked 2. most folks on this thread seem to live either in the northeast/New England or California. I realize there are some international stragglers, but most seem to live in these two regions. And there are a lot of accomplished climbers here, obviously. 

As far as I can gather, the two most respected climbers in this thread went to U Chicago (no mountains). So what’s the connection between climbing and big mountains and other things (like proximity to family and career opportunities)?

I grew up in the northeast, went to college in VT and knew after one particularly potent telemarking acid trip on top of Mad River Glen back in the late 80s, that I needed to get out west and live forever where the mountains went way above treeline and the spaces down below weren’t so thickly settled.

So, I suppose my question is, why would those of you who live back east choose the ADKs/Green/White mountains over what the west has to offer? Was it prioritizing buggy crags over alpine adventures? Or preferring other things over big mountain living? Big east coast money? Something else? Just curious.

I am just LOVING this post!  Reason #1 killed me this morning in my office!

And Hey!  I didn't go to school in Chicago, you messed that up! (I went to groovy-UV)

;)

I have lived all over the world with 11 full moves in the last 24 years across 3 continents and all over the US but that was because of work.

But, I will retire in either upstate VT/or mid-to-northern NH and for me, it is, not to be too "Hallmark Channel (reaching back to the earlier comment)", the deep roots for both myself and my wife.

Her side of the family settled in western VT in the 1760's and my family settled along the CT River in eastern VT in the 1770's and both have been there ever since.  When I go there, it is just HOME.  Truly I feel it in some deep place.

We've decided to retire in the Norwich, VT/Orford, NH area as there are really good hospitals that will take our insurance, work for me at said hospitals/local clinics, family and friends that we both grew up with nearby, a little bit of culture with Dartmouth/Hanover and only a few hours from Boston/Montreal, a climbing gym nearby, Rumney for sport and the Whites and Daks and even Maine for some fun "alpine climbing, lots of decent skiing (both nordic and alpine), ice climbing, Taekwondo organization that I started with 33 years ago and I've been training with whenever I'm home ever since (but I have never stopped training TKD even with all the moves).

Our five kiddos also feel like it is "Home" as that was the one constant that we always would come back to for vacations in all of our moves.

If I were dropped out of the blue with no prior connection to VT/the Northeast, I'd be retiring in Colorado or France, no question.  Both of those places are heaven on earth.  Nothing has compared to living there. 

But for my wife and I, it is the pull of that region that has been in our families for over 250 years that we truly feel.

I get a little daily email from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has a team that summarizes clips from interesting topics and shoots them out to us in short emails.  I think about this (strength and fitness) all the time as I wonder whether it’s possible to gain muscle and strength at this age.  What caught my eye here were the words “rebuilding better”.

I gotta say that the science on aging was pretty grim just a few years ago, especially if you wanted to do something hard like rock climbing. Essentially the idea was you’re stuck with whatever frame/musculature you developed at a much younger age. It’ll never get better than that. And now we are seeing studies that show the opposite.  Lucky us.    I plan to “sweat and breathe hard” today, so, check off those boxes. 

“If you want the benefits of autophagy—like faster recovery, better aging, and healthier cells—you don’t have to go hungry. You just have to train hard. That could mean sprint intervals, heavy strength training, or anything that makes you sweat and breathe hard. 

If fasting works for you, then keep doing it. But you don’t need to overthink it. Autophagy isn’t just about anti-aging—it’s about rebuilding better. And your intensity might be the key to unlocking it. 

You don’t need to be perfect or push to exhaustion every time. But aiming for intensity a few times per week might be the key to unlocking one of your body’s most powerful repair systems—no fasting required.”  

—-

Ward, just a mention of living in a place without water.  I spent a big chunk of my life living in Northern California and I moved there specifically for the lakes and rivers. The last years I was there, I was always at Folsom Lake sitting by water or swimming. The few visits I made to Joshua Tree always begged one question – – where’s the water?  Can I live like this?

I’m surprised how easily I adjusted to the desert.  .I did build into the deal that anytime I needed water I would afford myself a trip to the ocean or a week or two at the American River.  Every now and then I do just that. But overall, it’s been such a joyful experience and I don’t feel deprived at all. 

Colden Dark wrote:

Here’s a question I’d like to pose to this group: why do you live where you live? Here’s why I’m posing this question: 1. I’m pretty baked 2. most folks on this thread seem to live either in the northeast/New England or California. I realize there are some international stragglers, but most seem to live in these two regions. And there are a lot of accomplished climbers here, obviously. 

As far as I can gather, the two most respected climbers in this thread went to U Chicago (no mountains). So what’s the connection between climbing and big mountains and other things (like proximity to family and career opportunities)?

I grew up in the northeast, went to college in VT and knew after one particularly potent telemarking acid trip on top of Mad River Glen back in the late 80s, that I needed to get out west and live forever where the mountains went way above treeline and the spaces down below weren’t so thickly settled.

So, I suppose my question is, why would those of you who live back east choose the ADKs/Green/White mountains over what the west has to offer? Was it prioritizing buggy crags over alpine adventures? Or preferring other things over big mountain living? Big east coast money? Something else? Just curious.

For me, I guess to some extent it has been 'inertia'---I grew up in the Northeast (NYC suburbs) --and family, friends, familiar surroundings are all in this region. I did 'flirt' with living elsewhere---I went to college in the Midwest ---obviously being in the mountains wasn't a priority!!! ( I was at Wisconsin overlapping with rgold (another New Yorker) at Chicago--both climbing at Devils Lake). Also, after law school, I did 'do some looking' into possible job opportunities in the Mountain West, but quickly discovered that my lack of Spanish-language skills ( one of my many deficiencies), impeded my ability to obtain employment in the types of public service legal positions in that region that interested me. So, after a couple of years of intermittent road-tripping, I returned to the Boston area ( where I had attended law school) and took an opportunity to start what I expected to be a short-term job while deciding what to do next. It didn't exactly turn out that way, as that job turned out to be a good 'fit' and I stayed for 50 years!!!

While New England has it's negatives, so does everywhere, and, for me, those have been far out-weighed by the positives. Like Ward ( we live about 15 miles from each other, though I live in a bigger town), I find that this area ( despite the weather !!!) provides me with many positives and has been an especially good area in which to raise a family. In climbing terms, again despite the weather, though it is short, the local climbing is high quality and surprisingly extensive, most other areas in the Northeast are within reasonable weekend ( even day trip) distance, the community is great, and there are nearby airports!!!!

And Ed, you are correct, but sometimes I just can't resist!!!!

I feel very bad that our bugs here did not make the cut, but I did want to submit this very handsome gentleman who was strolling across our patio. I did shriek when I saw him until I understood that he was just out looking for his soulmate.

I have lived in Colorado and  AZ. all my life and will live nowhere else but the west. I have lived in other areas for a short time for work but would not live there. To me anything east of the front range of Colo. is the void.The east and south are too hot, too humid and have too many bugs.Where I live on the western slope we don't have too many people, very important,  no hurricanes, floods, tornados, ice storms and so far not too many fires.

New to the forum.. glad to find it, as I turned 55 this year.

I live in ATL... been here for 29yrs.. its home now..   but it does have access to great bouldering ( HP40, Stone Fort, etc...) and that is how i came into this game. A bit late I may add..  but my first "climbing" was scrambling and some bouldering at Garden of the Gods back in 2016. So still new to this, just started sport climbing 2 yrs ago, and my son has gotten me on my first multi pitch last year...    but love this sport , and wish i would've started this adventure in my youth...   Again, glad to find this forum.   

Colden Dark wrote:

Here’s a question I’d like to pose to this group: why do you live where you live? Here’s why I’m posing this question: 1. I’m pretty baked 2. most folks on this thread seem to live either in the northeast/New England or California. I realize there are some international stragglers, but most seem to live in these two regions. And there are a lot of accomplished climbers here, obviously. 

As far as I can gather, the two most respected climbers in this thread went to U Chicago (no mountains). So what’s the connection between climbing and big mountains and other things (like proximity to family and career opportunities)?

I grew up in the northeast, went to college in VT and knew after one particularly potent telemarking acid trip on top of Mad River Glen back in the late 80s, that I needed to get out west and live forever where the mountains went way above treeline and the spaces down below weren’t so thickly settled.

So, I suppose my question is, why would those of you who live back east choose the ADKs/Green/White mountains over what the west has to offer? Was it prioritizing buggy crags over alpine adventures? Or preferring other things over big mountain living? Big east coast money? Something else? Just curious.

I think John's answer is basically it; there's a lot more to life than climbing, and other concerns and priorities weigh heavily on where to live. There was never a moment when those concerns suggested moving West.  In any case, the West is a place I love to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.  Every year, after an entire summer climbing out West, I found myself yearning for the Fall colors and verdant forests of home. I moved to be near the Gunks and continue to enjoy the outdoor opportunities climbing and hiking, just about on my doorstep, and I'm an hour and a half from all the good things NYC has to offer.  And I don't know how to say this without possibly offending a lot of folks, but Easterner's have a "vibe" I appreciate and find myself missing when I'm away from home for a while.

From Montana...have thought often about getting back there.  Moved to Salt Lake City with a choice of job offers.  Picked SLC mostly for the skiing and climbing.  Travelled the US a fair bit with my job so got to see and climb in a bunch of places.  Still haven't strongly considered a move.

So Cal native. Spent 20 years in east county San Diego, but as my interest in mountains and climbing took hold, had to find a place that better matched this, yet still allowed contact with my family and friend network in So Cal. Been in this small, So Cal mountain town ever since- happily, except for all the tourons who have 'discovered' it in the last 10 years or so.

I basically have the same reasons as Al ("inertia" = a lot of family in the area for generations including 3 out of the 4 kids and 3 out of the 4 grandkids) and also rgold ("I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps" = just the multitude of experiences and resources that are available being near major metropolitan areas) for living in New England.  We may not have the quantity of mountain based recreation that we could have but what we do have is very bit as good quality wise.  And it makes us all the more appreciative of the wide open spaces and (mostly) good weather on our frequent trips out west.  Plus Europe is closer.. 

One other reason for us (my wife and I), that I don't think has been mentioned, is the proximity of the ocean.  There have been several references to "feels like home" and for us - from the sandy beaches of the Cape to the rocky coast of Maine  the ocean provides that "feels like home" to us.  Even if we can't see the sea it out the window just the knowledge that it is less than an hour away feels good.

If I were to move it would be east (Spain, Portugal or France) not west.  That is mostly a pipe dream given the initial mention of inertia - but given the current direction... (trying to Get Al wound up here).  

No matter where you go, there you are. Location doesn't matter (unless it's Newark, NJ).

The thing I like about the west is the drama, the space and the wildness of the places. 

VA, NM, UT, CT, MA, now ME. Like hillbilly said, it's really all about what you make of it. Of that list of states the only place I wouldn't consider again is CT and I climbed a lot there, it was just too weird socially and politically. The almost 20 years I spent around SLC was amazing for the mountains but the population growth and brown air half the year was definitely a deal breaker, definitely could live in Utah again but not anywhere near SLC. NM was chill, MA was chill.

I'm kinda lucky here on the coast as far as the NE bugs go, we have almost zero black flies. 

And climbing being too "hard" for older  people? I've always thought just about anyone can do it, 

John Tuttle wrote:

No matter where you go, there you are. Location doesn't matter (unless it's Newark, NJ).

Born and mostly raised in Southern California. Mom remarried when I was 10 to my stepdad who was in USAF and for the next 7 years lived in France, Germany.
Spent 3 years in the Midwest, Omaha. There I adopted local fun stuff- dear hunting, bird hunting- fishing and drag racing as major activities. Got a chance at real big bore Top Fuel team but after 4 months of living out of suitcases, motels and 16 hour work days I decided maybe it wasn’t so glamorous after all. When Dad did a TDO to Thailand to help bomb the living shit out of our “enemies” my Mom offered to have me come to CA, live with her and go to Pierce College in Woodland Hills. On the first day of school I discovered climbing. Then I spent the better part of the next 10 years climbing, climbing and more climbing. Mostly in California with a few international trips to Canada and Mexico. I love Granite and Fukn hate sandstone so I don’t care too much for RR, Zion and places with crap stone. (This was pre sport climbing) When I was 30 and 8 units shy of graduating I got a job offer I couldn’t refuse.
In 1987 I got a better job offer, and the hook was it was located in Moorpark. At that time it was an agricultural town of 11,000 located in an inland valley that is open to the ocean- the key to cool temperatures in California. So I took Tony up on his offer and together we built a fine little company specializing in the highest precision bearings and mechanical components to be found on earth.
I have been everywhere in the USA and while everyplace has good things- I’m a Californian and just love it here. Despite the F up political nature of CA government. We’re working on changing that- 25 years ago California was the best place to live and raise a family. Hopefully we change that, I’m hopeful.

@Lori and OLH ….. better hurry up and visit those places, Josh, the East Side and COR will always be around but will you?

My biggest regret in climbing is not going to COR early on. It’s just so nice.

Last thought- I could live at the Gunk’s- the climbing is so fine, but I’ve only visited after Columbus Day - no flies, yellow and orange trees.

Later all 

John Tuttle wrote:

No matter where you go, there you are. Location doesn't matter (unless it's Newark, NJ).

Nice!

Never pass up an opportunity to quote Buckeroo Banzai!!!

Guy Keesee wrote:

Born and mostly raised in Southern California. Mom remarried when I was 10 to my stepdad who was in USAF and for the next 7 years lived in France, Germany.
Spent 3 years in the Midwest, Omaha. There I adopted local fun stuff- dear hunting, bird hunting- fishing and drag racing as major activities. Got a chance at real big bore Top Fuel team but after 4 months of living out of suitcases, motels and 16 hour work days I decided maybe it wasn’t so glamorous after all. When Dad did a TDO to Thailand to help bomb the living shit out of our “enemies” my Mom offered to have me come to CA, live with her and go to Pierce College in Woodland Hills. On the first day of school I discovered climbing. Then I spent the better part of the next 10 years climbing, climbing and more climbing. Mostly in California with a few international trips to Canada and Mexico. I love Granite and Fukn hate sandstone so I don’t care too much for RR, Zion and places with crap stone. (This was pre sport climbing) When I was 30 and 8 units shy of graduating I got a job offer I couldn’t refuse.
In 1987 I got a better job offer, and the hook was it was located in Moorpark. At that time it was an agricultural town of 11,000 located in an inland valley that is open to the ocean- the key to cool temperatures in California. So I took Tony up on his offer and together we built a fine little company specializing in the highest precision bearings and mechanical components to be found on earth.
I have been everywhere in the USA and while everyplace has good things- I’m a Californian and just love it here. Despite the F up political nature of CA government. We’re working on changing that- 25 years ago California was the best place to live and raise a family. Hopefully we change that, I’m hopeful.

@Lori and OLH ….. better hurry up and visit those places, Josh, the East Side and COR will always be around but will you?

My biggest regret in climbing is not going to COR early on. It’s just so nice.

Last thought- I could live at the Gunk’s- the climbing is so fine, but I’ve only visited after Columbus Day - no flies, yellow and orange trees.

Later all 

I think the take home message is that if you are happy you are happy anywhere (that isn't hell, then you are just deluded).

That said, and don't tell anyone, coastal california has the best weather on Earth (born and raised here myself). Anytime I return from the hot and humid or the frozen tundra as much as they are nice to visit, I would not live there by choice. Nothing beats cooling off at night in summer and warm winters for staying active 365 days out of the year. Unfortunately, the climbing is mediocre at best on the coast and the saltwater fishing sux pretty much other than San Diego.

Don't get me started on the Sierra Nevada granite and trout! ;) 

Grew up east coast and the south. I could not wait to fly the coop, I was dreaming about it early grade school. I went west as soon as I was able. I never looked back. It used to be out west/back east, but now its out east/back west for me, 40 years.

I had pretty good rock climbing where I was in the south. Quite good actually. What I didn't have and one cannot have back east - is room to roam, room to wander and get lost, room to overland, room to explore and find new things. While there are a few great parks out east, nothing I've seen anywhere in my travels rivals the BLM and National Forests lands where we can just go to any ole time we want.

For me, this is far and away the primary reason I stayed, the ability to truly roam the wild lands. I can find honest to goodness unclimbed rock within an easy drive from my house, go there and camp on public land for no fee, and climb all day there and never see a soul. I became accustomed to this, and ultimately, addicted to it.

Here’s a question I’d like to pose to this group: why do you live where you live? Here’s why I’m posing this question: 1. I’m pretty baked 2. most folks on this thread seem to live either in the northeast/New England or California. I realize there are some international stragglers, but most seem to live in these two regions

I’ll play, the weather is terrible here right now.  
After retirement, I moved to a small town in the front range of Colorado.  We moved here entirely for family.  But the huge upside besides playing with my grandson daily,  is that I have tens of thousands of routes on all sorts of rock within an hour of home and some off the radar and top notch climbing within 15 min.   I have lived in California, Oregon and now Colorado.  California has the best routes, but Colorado has greater variety and everything is so close.