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New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #40
Cherokee Nuneswrote: A prudent choice. I'm pretty careful in the problems I choose these days but I know the time will come, as with rgold, when even short falls are too risky. |
x15x15wrote: Its in good hands with you. |
Emil Briggswrote: When I repeatedly try a roped climb that is above my abilities I call it 'oldering' |
Victor Creazziwrote: For me these days that covers pretty much every climb !!! |
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I’ve been reading along all season, these incredible stories and pictures. Meanwhile. I finally decided it was time to step back on some rock myself and just see if I was ready. I am really glad I mentally prepared for difficulty and disappointment so I would be ready for whatever came. So yesterday was my third day out this week. I will probably always see rock climbing through the eyes of a newbie – – a little bit starstruck at everybody else and pretty blown away that I can do anything at all. It’s hard not to be grateful for every moment. I really love that slab. But I’m kind of grateful for the pain as a reminder of the fitness required to climb. Everything was giving out on me yesterday – – my calves went into seizures, my toes were in agony, my injured rotator cuff made it difficult to pull. And I was so totally out of breath. After the first lap on my route, I said “I wish I could be more reckless. I wish I could be more carefree.” I am slow and deliberate and cautious when I wish I could scamper, after all on a top rope I know I’m not going anywhere. But on the second lap, I had the realization that it’s not about being reckless, it’s about gaining a lot more strength and agility so that I can climb more freely. It’s agency I’m looking for – – freedom has to come from practice and strength. I always appreciate the levelheaded coaching I get from Bob. He never interferes if I’m in my own zone and doing what I need to do, but if I get stuck, he’s there with the support. So I had climbed the better part of my route and got stuck: I was on the thinnest edge with no holds ahead— I was looking for any edge to grab. Bob yelled up “you don’t need any hands, just stand up strong on that leg.” WHAT? It was one of those times when I had to override everything I feel and just do what the man says—and I was so shocked when it worked out. No one more surprised than me that I rose up on a high step without hands and didn’t peel off. — I seem to just naturally think about age. It’s always a little confusing. I don’t know if I mentioned my friend who we have dinner with last week said “why can’t you accept that you are old now and this is no longer appropriate?” She was dead serious. And as I was making my way up that pitch, however slowly and inelegantly, all I could think was thank God for this incredible privilege.  |
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Lori, I can't believe you have friends who would say that! You're very lucky to have escaped their world. |
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You need new friends. Thats not what a friend says to a friend. |
Norm Larsonwrote: I'm too close to the situation to sort this all out. I'm not from an athletic background... so this 'climbing thing' is foreign to friends and family. Most support or ignore me. Some downsides to moving to this more rural area: I expected to find my hippie tribe. There aren't very many hippies here. There are kind and generous 'redneck' neighbors on all sides, mostly low income, flying Trump flags, sometimes many on their front lawns, and driving big trucks. (I guess that could also be an upside). Tony is older than me by four years... he's an outgoing guy, these are friends he met at the gym. They've hit it off, and for the last year we get out to dinner weekly. We start off every conversation with "Did you see your doctor this week?" "How are you feeling?" My best friend enjoys armchair viewing if I send pictures. Neither of us ever thought of being athletic... she is quite content sitting in an easy chair with her little dog, and reading Mystery novels all day long. She's really happy if she takes a walk to the mailbox now and then. So... who's weird? My kids are still kind of stunned.... this is not the mom they grew up with... but I am hearing pride as well. I told them this is my time to fly. What I don't have is the crew Wendy mentioned in Boulder. No one here is spending 2 grand for concierge medicine. On the opposite end, so many are really really sick. We gave an elderly woman a ride home from the supermarket a few days ago... she had decided to walk to the market and then got stuck. She realized she couldn't walk the 2 miles uphill back. Tony thought I had picked up a homeless woman. Actually, we were probably the same age. I feel like I'm straddling several different worlds. So today when I'm spending most of the day 'recovering', I'm sure I will get comments tonight at dinner. It's the best I can do. |
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Probably just insecurity Lorii, I wouldn’t worry about it. I have non-climbing acquaintances tell me that Im “too thin” all the time. I don’t tell them that actually it is they that are “too fat” lol. |
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Wait a sec, Lori. I don't think anyone I know, and certainly none of my friends, is spending 2 grand for concierge medicine. That's another Boulder altogether. But there are other older climbers at my gym and some younger ones (40s, 50s, and 60s) cheering me on when I do a hard (for me) route. I think they aspire to climb as hard as they can as long as they can. Many of my non-climbing friends and family are into walking, hiking, and various sports. Edit to add: It may be something of a class thing. I have wondered if people who have desk jobs are more likely to engage in strenuous forms of recreation. |
Ward Smithwrote: You are definitely much nicer than me... LOL |
wendy weisswrote: I saw that image from Boulder and can't comment on the cost/benefits of the services provided. (up 9.61% from last year) Given these real-life-premiums, Volume-of-money-wise, (again, no comment on the services provided) a couple grand a month in "concierge" medicine looks a little different, no? |
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Lori, Thinking of your 'friend's' comment: Many (many) years ago, I was in Yosemite Valley at the time of my birthday. It turned out that there were 4 of us in Camp 4 that year that had birthdays within a few days of each other, so we had a group party for everyone ( it was mid-summer, so not too many climbers around). Amongst those there were a group of college-age climbers from AZ. While we were talking the ( clearly non-climbing) girlfriend of one of them asked me what birthday I was celebrating. When I responded that I was 27, she didn't say anything, but the look of 'dismay' on her face as she looked from her boyfriend, to me, then back to him, said as clearly as if spoken--' what have I gotten myself into? ---he may not stop soon and keep climbing until he is as old as you'!!!!! So, such attitudes exist at all ages!!!! Ignore them ( as you clearly do) and keep doing what seems right to YOU. |
Ward Smithwrote: Too funny Ward! The last time I visited Pa I had people asking me if I was “sick” and some even insinuated that I was “on drugs”. lol I guess being lean and healthy is beyond the comprehension of a lot of people these days. lol |
Daniel Shivelywrote: My brother describes “normal” as “American slim.” You know, about 30 pounds overweight. |
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But of indoor bouldering today. It was about 34 degrees c and this place has no air conditioning, only fans.  https://youtu.be/_VOpRdHhZfQ?si=FA9Cn8gxE-CFKO3X |
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I'm not quite American skinny but if I put on 5lbs I'd be there for sure. I do appreciate the extra blubber for long days out in the cold, especially when it's too cold to stop and eat. Carl, I hope that that 34c/93f is a dry heat! |
M Mwrote: Lol. Maybe the rotund members of the population are just preparing for the looming economic collapse and will withstand the commensurate shortage of calories much easier than the svelte and sinewy types. Lol |
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Thats a disturbing thought Dan! Survival of the…fattest? |
Norm Larsonwrote: Having a super fast metabolism was not a good thing when famines were a regular part of the human experience. |
