New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #40

Congratulations Bob. 

philip bonewrote:

These pictures are from a new route I’m working on. Buried under snow now. Very much looking forward to returning in the spring.

That’s my friend Howard on TR. He was very excited about it too.

Yes, WE will do well here once the snow melts and the road is again drivable. Glad we got Wednesday in and looking forward to next late spring.

Good deal Bob…. You certainly deserve it!

Tim Emmett, 51, completes Era Vella (9a) on day 130 -

https://www.8a.nu/news/tim-emmett-51-completes-era-vella-9a-on-day-130-pyvv5 

Few climbers can match the range of terrain Emmett has mastered. From sport and trad to mixed, ice, big wall, alpine, mountaineering, and deep-water soloing, he’s spent his career exploring nearly every corner of the climbing world.

Two decades ago, Emmett helped shape the modern era of deep-water soloing by establishing new lines in Spain and across the globe. He and his partners went on to rewrite the standards of waterfall ice climbing, achieving the world’s first sends at WI10, WI11, WI12, and WI13—all at the wild amphitheater of Helmcken Falls in British Columbia. His ambition carried him even farther afield, joining the team that completed the first ascent of the east face of Kedar Dome in the Himalayas.

Pretty darn great, Bob!

Dinner in Mexico City with Victor Montes and his wife Monica.  Victor and I first met in Yosemite at an AAC International Climbers meet.   Trips to Mineral Del Chico (the birthplace of technical climbing in Mexico) and Peña de Bernal were followed at many other places in Mexico rarely visited by international climbers.  The International Climbers meet is no longer held, a real shame as it was a perfect opportunity to meet and climb with others from around the globe.  

Just catching up through many days of past posts!

Loving the photos!

I've been hiking a bunch in the Catskills for the last 6 weeks but getting excited for the Nordic season to start soon!  

I hope that it is a good snow year as being down in West Point, NY it will always be a drive north to find the trails but hopefully not too many hours drive north!

Wendy, I think it was you that posted: "I bought a Nordic ski pass this year. Apologies to all skiers in Colorado since it looks like we are heading for one of the driest seasons on record. Still haven’t had first snowfall here in the front range foothills. Last time the snow was this bad was the last time I bought a season pass….. I can only conclude my optimism is the cause."

Oh man!  I loved living out in Colorado for three years!  I used to Nordic ski up at Frisco and Breck and at Gold Run, which is right near you, correct?

I'd also go up to Leadville some days.  Even did the full Leadville 44K Loppet in 2023.  Brother, I puked somewhere around kilometer 25 to 30 on that one but kept on going!  Start just over 10,000 feet and go up to close to 12,000.  Hell of a race.  My last year I did a bunch of races at the different centers and just loved the scene.  Soooo many older elite athletes out there!  

No aerobic pain like Nordic pain!  Just love it!

Pray for snow!

(First photo with my son on the summit of Kaaterskill High Peak three weeks ago and second one with my wife on the summit of Vly yesterday, Hike On!)

Buck, it wasn't me. I think it was Erika. (misspelling corrected)

I haven't skied for (too) many years now -- same reasons I stopped climbing outside, though there were a few really bad snow years too. My skiing was mostly telemarking, both downhill resorts and backcountry. Area skiing was mostly at Eldora, which is the closest to Boulder and avoids I-70. But we did quite a bit of backcountry around Breck, Frisco, and Vail. 

wendy weisswrote:

Buck, it wasn't me. I think it was Erica.

I haven't skied for (too) many years now -- same reasons I stopped climbing outside, though there were a few really bad snow years too. My skiing was mostly telemarking, both downhill resorts and backcountry. Area skiing was mostly at Eldora, which is the closest to Boulder and avoids I-70. But we did quite a bit of backcountry around Breck, Frisco, and Vail. 

Oooof!  You're right!

You are around Boulder and she is around Golden, right?

Sorry about that!

Hi Buck and Wendy - yes it was me…. Not looking much better over the past few days, Bike riding in shorts this weekend in 70+ temps. My favorite Nordic area is Devil’s Thumb - great terrain and grooming. We also hit Frisco and Snow Mtn Ranch pretty often. Skied Gold Run for the 1st time last year - went to the top which was a hard climb (something like 1200 feet in 3 miles) - fitness test for sure. The Leadville Loppett is next level with the altitude - impressed! I did the US Birkie once, but other than that haven’t really done any racing. My husband nordic raced in college (I was on the alpine team - he convinced me to join the dark side).

Let it snow!

 There must be a climber who frequents this cafe in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Off climbing topic, does anyone enjoy podcasts?  I'm a little late to the party, but I've had great listening experience this summer.  

I've been listening to a series called Acquired.  Two hosts, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal do long-form dives into the world's biggest companies, how they started, the stories behind their growth.  A few months ago I listened to an episode on Google which started at the very beginning of a long drive for me, about a couple of guys working out of their garages, through all the iterations of growth to present.  This one was about 4 hours, so I split it up.  

Last week I listened to the episode on Trader Joes, which was so entertaining and inspiring.  Today I'm halfway through a 4 hour podcast on Starbucks.  

They all seem to have a familiar story line... the vision caught by the original creator/inventor, the near bankruptcy and all the failures along the way, and then a blastoff to astonishing success.

While hiking this morning I listened to the latest podcast by Dr. Peter Atilla who interviewed Dr. Antonio Bianco, a world-renowned physician/scientist in the field of thyroid physiology.  Of particular interest to me since that was the first of several autoimmune diseases I got, back in my early 20's, and I've spent decades studying and trying to get it right. I learned a lot on this one. I also have enjoyed his numerous podcasts on protein... the last one went on 2 1/2 hours, but both Peter and I are sick and bored with the subject.  I don't know if there is anything more to say, even with the best science out there, it's just too much.  

---

I don't remember who brought up Landman some ages ago... (sorry!)... but it is a shameless indulgence, and a show Tony and I love.  Blatant misogyny, violence, humor...but Billy Bob Thorton is loveable, as are all the characters, and the plot moves along.  

We are really considering making the drive to see Nuremburg.  I saw a preview and didn't recognize Russell Crowe, who is starting to resemble Marlon Brando in his portliness... but he's an outstanding actor, and the subject matter of course is compelling.  If anyone sees it, can you give a movie report?  

I've given up talking about AI for the moment, but I've listened to some of the best music I've heard in decades, of both types.  My favorite is Teddy Swims.  It's sure a song, lyric I can relate to.

Great podcasts:

This Podcast will Kill You

90 lb Rucksack

Rain yesterday, cold and moist today. Did OK but no near send.  Rain and snow for the next few days of our trip so you all may be subjected to more photos of this boulder in the future.

C Miller wrote:

Bob D. is the man!

Love Bobby D’!

@apogee, as for your question about "Megyn Kelly’s recent comments about Epstein and pedophilia", Epstein was not a pedophile regardless of the shrieking noise in the left-leaning media.

Official definition of pedophilia is "sexual interest in prepubescent children" according to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/193….
Nobody has reported that Epstein has shown that kind of interest.

Congrats Bob.  You were the bleeding edge and earned it.  Just thinking about all the stars that have guided for you is amazing.

Yurywrote:

@apogee, as for your question about "Megyn Kelly’s recent comments about Epstein and pedophilia", Epstein was not a pedophile regardless of the shrieking noise in the left-leaning media.

Official definition of pedophilia is "sexual interest in prepubescent children" according to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/193….
Nobody has reported that Epstein has shown that kind of interest.

You sir are just as disgusting as epstein for coming to any kind of defense of him no matter how fine you split the hairs.

It's 1898 and Rich and I are learning crack climbing on the infamous Y-Boulder in the Lake District. I am on top having given up but Rich perseveres and I suspect he will master the technique. 

John Gillwrote:

It's 1898 and Rich and I are learning crack climbing on the infamous Y-Boulder in the Lake District. I am on top having given up but Rich perseveres and I suspect he will master the technique. 

This session led to considerable confusion.  

Me: Where should we go today?

John: Y-Boulder.

Me: But John, I thought you liked bouldering!

John: I love bouldering!

Me: Ok, then where shall we go?

John: Y-Boulder.

Me: I think you need to make up your mind about bouldering.

John: I have made up my mind.

Me: Ok, Y-Boulder then?

John: Because it is there.

Me: It's going to be six years before anyone says that.

John: I guess I'm just ahead of my time.

PS. Even after 127 years of diligent effort, I have yet to "master the technique."