New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #42

Yeah, I'm in the same boat.  I have my dad's old slides, some of them double glass, as well as an enormous number of mine (10k+).  I have time...but...might lack the patience.  A Nikon scanner with a spendy 50 slide feeder might do the trick.  Daunting.  Or...just send them off.

Should take the time to cull them into the keepers.  There's honestly more than a few that wouldn't make any cut.  Ha ha.

I had a friend who was gracious enough to scan and clean up my slides a few years ago.

My daughter has me working on a year long project that requires me to look back at a lot of old pictures. It’s been fun.

I tossed most of my tens of thousands of slides on a bonfire 🔥 and I have a scanner.. they were stored in a garage and had mold spots and dust. Nothing that could not have been dealt with by a determined archiver but having scanned a few of them I was well aware of how much work it is to clean six slides,load them in the holder and then wait for several minutes while the scanner does it's thing. Burn piles are dangerous for me and I do have regrets but they are also final and cleansing. 

That roof picture possibly could be in North Carolina? 

I think it is a mistake to advise seniors to leave everything behind, all passions and endeavors and coast slowly right into the grave.

Do people really advise that? (genuine question)

Thanks everyone about slide to digital. Interestingly, but probably not surprisingly, I have received, both on here and otherwise, a great deal of contradictory information about the efficacy of scanners, especially for someone as tech-phobic/incompetent as I am. The end result, due to said phobia/incompetence, has been 'paralysis'. Sending the slides  out to a professional does seem to make the most sense for  me, but that will require me to face the enormous task of sorting and selecting---and there my inherent laziness comes into play!!' I just wish that I could snap my fingers and have it happen automatically!!!

Alan Rubinwrote:

Thanks everyone about slide to digital. Interestingly, but probably not surprisingly, I have received, both on here and otherwise, a great deal of contradictory information about the efficacy of scanners, especially for someone as tech-phobic/incompetent as I am. The end result, due to said phobia/incompetence, has been 'paralysis'. Sending the slides  out to a professional does seem to make the most sense for  me, but that will require me to face the enormous task of sorting and selecting---and there my inherent laziness comes into play!!' I just wish that I could snap my fingers and have it happen automatically!!!

I have a dedicated slide scanner, a flat bed scanner, and have duplicated slides using SLRs, macro lenses, bellows and slide duplicator in both analog and digital.  The fastest, with very decent results, is the SLR and accessories, but it's expensive and good luck finding that stuff (I've hade it for 35 years or so).  You've probably seen makeshift rigs in your research.  But then with a little Google snooping I saw there are slide digitizing apps for phones now, apparently using a white computer screen as light source.  I haven't used them, but it makes sense.  The best technique depends on the quality you need--scanning slides for print publication is way different from making 100kb 800 pixel images for web use.  I'd definitely look into the phone apps, depending of course of useage.

Pretty sure the route below nick’s seneca question mark is ecstasy jr, second pitch? The crack on the right is upper burn? (I have very suspect memory, but the sheer terror of being on the burn when I thought I was on ej is still pretty vivid)

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

Do people really advise that? (genuine question)

A good percentage of the country thinks this way for sure, I  haven't met any medical experts that push this but certainly many of them are happy to prescribe meds with little to no advice on how to avoid meds 

Good point M M thanks.

Come to think of it, in my 40s, my PA advised me in regards to climbing injury, "perhaps its time you act your age." He said I should consider giving up climbing for something more age-appropriate.

I fired him.

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

Good point M M thanks.

Come to think of it, in my 40s, my PA advised me in regards to climbing injury, "perhaps its time you act your age." He said I should consider giving up climbing for something more age-appropriate.

I fired him.

Age appropriate like what, yelling at the TV with the volume on 11?. Throw a little push in with all the pulling and it's the best all around workout one can do, especially large amounts of easy stuff.

Old lady Hwrote:

Hey so sorry!

Got your message, sent a reply.

The short answer, to anyone interested, is I have no idea about anyone's plans for COR this year. Sorry!

Get your friends to go anyway, that place never disappoints!

Helen

I'll be there June 7-14.

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

Good point M M thanks.

Come to think of it, in my 40s, my PA advised me in regards to climbing injury, "perhaps its time you act your age." He said I should consider giving up climbing for something more age-appropriate.

I fired him.

I got the same medical advice when I was 49 about almost all my athletic activities.  That was over 30 years ago and I'm still ignoring that advice.

Stuck in the deep freeze with so much lovely snow but no outdoor climbing has me thinking about Dragon's and my summer goals in the Gunks.

For my Gunkophile friends on here:

What 5 routes would you suggest that Dragon's lead to establish themselves at leading the grade?  Granted almost assuredly these will be ones that they've already followed as they have climbed, I think, around 100 different routes there and mostly 5.8 and down (please correct me if I am wrong Dragon's!).

I would suggest: Fingerlocks, Jackie, Dennis, Black Fly, and Bunny.  [Yes Horseman is THE coolest 5.5 in the Gunks, in my opinion, but brother that one wigged me out when I first led it (although it was an onsight so that would be different for them)].  

Not looking for the hardest routes but the best ones to establish themselves.  Like RMC is great but at the end of the first pitch there is so much rope drag or if you break it into 3 pitches, there's still that funky traverse and cramped belay stance so I would not say that one for a "First Five"

And for my new-to-me Gunks .6's?  I've led Laurel and Rhododendron and the first pitch of Frog's Head (my partner really hated the belay stance for the second pitch so we rapped down) but no other .6's.

Obviously I want to lead Madam G, High E, and The Ceiling but I like to onsight, or at least flash, routes so I do not want to do them before leading them but I've been told by two different guides that those three are serious Gunks ".6" endeavors compared to some others and not necessarily best first .6 leads there. (I did already follow High E with Rich around seven years ago so no flash on that one for me).   

Looking for ones that are good to break into the grade as an onsight/flash.  I'm thinking of finishing Frog's Head second pitch, then Grease Gun Groove, Baby (I have a #5 and #6 to protect it), Disneyland, Credibility Gap, and/or Ursala?

Any thoughts on those ones?

Thanks and sorry to my non-Gunko's here for the specific climbing region question!  

Off to the indoor gym for a lunchtime climb with the Cadets!

Buck for 5.5 I think double chin might be easier than bunny. I found the start of bunny a bit thought provoking. If you’re good at face climbing above gear Last will be first is a stellar route also moonlight but the upper crux requires some route finding. 

all of you old farts in the gunks should stop thinking of climbing and be taking advantage of the quality Nordic skiing the place provides! Or perhaps the slide on slide mountain 

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

Do people really advise that? (genuine question)

Well, my experience may differ, but this has become an issue for me.  Maybe this message is usually subtle and not overt. Doctors expectations of the older crowd are minimal – – try not to fall, try not to have a heart attack or stroke, hopefully avoid diabetes.

but as I think through the list of good friends and acquaintances I have none have any sense of purpose or drive for these older years. One friend told me last week she was doing a bit of yoga most mornings in her living room, but it’s too hard now and she let it go. She has been saying lately “I’m ready to go, aren’t you?”  Another friend recently moved in with her niece in Colorado because life is just getting too hard alone – – now she spends most of her time Reading period novels and listening to preachers on various podcasts.  We spent 50 years as best friends – – what happened to her spark and her mojo?  

Another female friend of mine used to be so engaged with life and her kids, and she was a big Jazzercise advocate, she cooked gourmet Mexican meals – – now she spends her days watching cable news and posting depressing clips about Donald Trump. I don’t know if she does anything else or even leaves the house.

so I feel like the message is that this is the time of life to wind down, relax and let go. No judgment on that but lately I’ve been seeking out something different. The great surprise has been learning about some of these brilliant scholars and CEOs, who are way past 60, smart and totally focused with not a thought of slowing down. It gives me hope and the desire to expect more and continue to live a big life.  

The challenge is pairing that with the reality of physical change and being comfortable and accepting new limits. Having said that I had such a good time yesterday doing something really hard.  

Lori, just wow! We have such a different friend set. I can't think of a single friend who isn't pretty active or engaged with something. Possible exception are my friends with Parkinsons, who still try to be active. I wonder if there's an explanation.

wendy weisswrote:

Lori, just wow! We have such a different friend set. I can't think of a single friend who isn't pretty active or engaged with something. Possible exception are my friends with Parkinsons, who still try to be active. I wonder if there's an explanation.

I’ve been thinking of you and always enjoy your input. I don’t know if there’s an explanation. These are just people I grew up with or have randomly known when I was fully absorbed raising my kids and running a business—and now here they are today.  Perhaps if I had met them when I was engaged in a sport it would be different.

But I can say it’s a lonely feeling. I am slowly finding inspiring people and endeavors where I can start to think hey, maybe there’s a big life still ahead. Maybe it’s OK to not limit my plans based upon probable lifespan. I thought it was so cool to see a video of Chris Crowley skiing in Colorado at 90+ and read his update on his life today very involved in the arts, cooking and entertaining close friends.  That definitely works!

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

Come to think of it, in my 40s, my PA advised me in regards to climbing injury, "perhaps its time you act your age." He said I should consider giving up climbing for something more age-appropriate.

I fired him.

My experience is that universally the MDs that I have seen for various things keep telling me to do what I'm doing, because whatever it is, it's working. The GP I had before I moved down here and the one I have had here for the past ten years have both told me they look to me as an example of what they hope for when they reach my age.  I have an ortho MD who did arthroscopic surgery on my knee 5 years ago and saw me again for the broken knee cap I incurred in a fall a year ago.  At no time did he ever suggest doing less, in fact he makes suggestions for my progression activity based on what he describes as "recommendations for my athlete patients" and has never referred to my age. After my knee surgery he cleared me to return to climbing at 4 weeks, based on the PT report, which he said was ahead of the typical schedule but not uncommon in his athletes.

The funny thing about all this is that I actually don't consider myself that fit, particularly when I compare myself to my Bishop girlfriends and many of you who I have met or know about, but compared to the general population, I guess I'm doing pretty well.

This is my friend Fred. He never lost the fire to charge into adventure. As my photo shows, he would crawl on hands and knees to climb. When the state of Washington took away his driving license, he drove to Oregon and tried to get a license there. He once had a friend (who had a license),  drive him across the Canadien border, then cut him loose (without a valid license or current id) on a roadtrip to the Rockies. He would show up at my house unannounced with some ice cream and an ambitious list of climbs to do and say “let’s go!’ He usually drank Folger’s crystals,  but I would brew him strong dark roast, and the effects of the strong coffee would get him up on the balls of his feet. There are many crazy stories that I’ll keep to myself out of respect for him. I’m forever grateful for his inspiration, and plan to drive on and charge, until I too end up as dust floating eternally among the mountains.