RRC Archives

Old people bitch too much....shut up and climb........he he he

Seriously, I hope to be climbing when I'm 40, climbing is hard on the body....... rock on!

Just some thoughts from an old buzzard (64): Having started climbing at 55, it wasn't in the cards to chase numbers like many of you "kids." Just enjoying playing out there on the rocks. Piggie pointed out that recuperation takes longer, but recovery from injuries REALLY takes longer. So, I've tried to follow the advice of some of the old stonemasters to us aged folk to avoid injuries: i.e. don't throw dynos, work crimpers open handed, etc. But, of course, that means pretty much staying down in the 10s with an occasional success on an 11.

Maybe some would give up the sport when they can no longer send 12s and 13s, but I've immensely enjoyed climbing the moderates and hope to continue as long as I can.

A couple years ago, I had the pleasure and honor of climbing with Fred Beckey for a couple days. Fred doesn't lead anymore, but he seconded my 8 and 9 trad leads just fine... and at 83!

Churchill: "Never, never, never give up!"
Odub: "Old men don't climb, they just hang on the line and stare at the rock."
Rick

Keep it up Rick! Right on

I peaked at around 34. Since around 32 I have been constantly in a cycle of injury. Somehow I managed my hardest routes after shoulder surgery. These days I struggle with injury and motivation. It really sucks to go to cliffs where I can't even do the warm-ups anymore...so they become redpoint projects for the day. I think for me I would find more motivation if I could climb more often at different cliffs or different locations...The New, Seneca, etc..places where I don't have as many experiences and expectations.

There was an article in one of the old climbing magazines about a couple of brothers who had been farmers in Iowa and decided to try rock climbing in their mid-50s. Keith Phelps ran into one of them out west (Needles, I think) who was in his early 70s and cranking 12s. Running 5 miles with a full pack. Could do a single one-arm chin and 40 two-arm chins. I wish I could remember his name...when I get time I'll dig through the old mags.

Bob

age is what you make of it. immaturity keeps you young and playful.

piggie, if you think that age matters; it will. i know some of the baddest "older" folks ever. besides, compare yourself to the general public and i don't think you'll feel too bad.


i remember an article on a 101 year old that ran the 100meter dash in like 22.5 seconds!! i don't know guys my age that could even complete a 100m dash. be happy with what you have.

anticlmber wrote:age is what you make of it.

That's pretty funny.

Don't you have some shit to bury or something?

anticlmber wrote:age is what you make of it

I use to think that too. Age will eventually matter you can't fight it.

Its all about longevity right?, being able to climb at all into your 40'/50's. Climb smarter, train smarter and avoid injury at all cost. It has to do with momentum. If you can keep the momentum and not sustain an injury that takes you out for months at a time then you'll likely stay fit and keep climbing hard. As in the case of Bill Ramsey and people like him, most of that is genetics.

Genetics is a cop out. It's time commitment for most, not genetics.