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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 14, 2011 - 10:52pm PT
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The geriatric crew here may relate to this phenomenon that I've encountered.
I've lost the passion for climbing. The 'fire'.
I still love climbing, but since having a kid 3 years ago and being married, and having climbed for over 10 years...I just don't have the same bold passion I once had. And it doesn't really bug me.
I get the 'snaileye' more often now, and am quite satisfied climbing moderate, even easy routes. I still love getting out, but I'm just not as bold (maybe reckless) as I once was.
I still have fun and love the trips, but it's more about the social aspect of climbing that I dig, rather than pushing grades and being a 'badass'.
Some of my younger partners are hitting their stride (and they post here), and God bless them! As a result, they tend to be hitting the Valley and knocking out routes when I'm at home or at Castle Rock.
I'm not whining, really, just sharing some thoughts in case others are feeling the same. I was feeling guilty about this briefly, but realized that sometimes your life changes.
Needless to say, my re-attempt on Wamello Dome is postponed, there were no takers in my crew. I'm going fishing at San Luis for Father's Day.
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MisterE
Social climber
Cinderella Story, Outa Nowhere
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Jun 14, 2011 - 10:59pm PT
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That's when you resort to the fire in your heart - whatever that may be.
For me, it is always the woman and climbing.
Great honest post, Bluey.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:00pm PT
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It will be back.
You have other priorities for a while.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 14, 2011 - 11:11pm PT
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Yeah, I realize it will probably return, it's just kinda weird when all my younger partners are always super stoked and I gotta decline trips.
It is cool they got the passions though. I'm happy to say 2 of them I personally got into trad climbing and helped them with placing gear.
I'll be back, boyz.
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:12pm PT
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You will always be a climber.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:15pm PT
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Fire in the belly...it's gone? So you have to ask yourself have you been quenching it with to much beer?
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:24pm PT
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Usually just means you've hit that stage in life where it's time to put the rack away and start drilling...
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 14, 2011 - 11:28pm PT
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You guys are funny. And I expected this.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:39pm PT
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Days of future past, mark my words it will return in the most unsuspecting way.....your kid bugging you or much sooner. Keep it fun!
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:44pm PT
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Can't wait to see Crowley's reply...
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:47pm PT
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Can't wait to see Crowley's reply...
That's an interesting thought. Since this is a climbing post, Crowley's probably not interested. On the other hand, since he stalks bluering around the forum, lashing out at him wherever possible, maybe he will be interested.
Edit to add: Most people who are passionate about climbing find that their passion waxes and wanes. It will probably return, and if it doesn't it will probably be replaced by something equally idiotic, useless, and wonderful.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Jun 14, 2011 - 11:51pm PT
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Bluey, when my husband and I were young he climbed much and was pretty good at it. Then we had 4 kids......life changed.
I just really started climbing in the past few years and love it. Kids are raised and I can relax and enjoy the rock and community now. It's not just the planet that evolves, so do our lives. Enjoy what you have now. Too soon it will change and you will enter the next phase.
Trick is to relax, have peace and patience, and enjoy each part of life as it plays out. Love to you and your special family from lynnie
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bergbryce
Mountain climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:00am PT
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If it's any consolation, fire in the stomach is a lot better than fire when you pee.
Edited to add: I've got the fire right now bad and itis going to keep me awake all night tonight as I'm gettin' on a wall tomorrow!!!
For me it certainly ebbs and flows. Come late October and all I'll want is to ski some powder.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:02am PT
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Who knows, Blue? It does wax and wane especially when other things take prominence. I've had that thought before but the fire never really left in my case. I'm in a different stage in my life than you and like Lynne my daughter is grown, but I gotta say over the last couple months my own climbing jones has come back to me as much as ever before.
I suspect yours will too. Or maybe you're just growing up more than I ever did.....
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:09am PT
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Bluey, I had been climbing for 10 years when I had my son. He is now 10 and has a sister that will be 5 next week. I wasn't sure what to think at first but then started bouldering with the kids. It was a life saver as I had only been doing roped routes for the most part before that. If you can find a good bouldering spot you can climb as much as you want to with your kids there with out having to have a beley-b-sitter. I am certainly no great boulder or climber for that matter but it kept me going and has allowed me to maintain my climbing ability and have a family life that is fair to them.
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:12am PT
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It comes and goes Bluey and life offers so many exciting experiences. Once Climbing is in your soul you never completely let it go. Some resort to this forum, others get out once a week, month or year and get their ya ya's out with friends and trade stories about the good ol days.
Relax and enjoy the family, who knows what adventures lay ahead.
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Barcus
Social climber
San Luis Obispo, Ca.
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:16am PT
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Steve,
I am coming up to your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks.
We are going to climb rocks, drink beer and tell lies!
At times the fire dwindles down to a spark, all it takes is a light draft to fire it back up again and I think theres a storm brewing.
Will see you ASAP!
Marcus
Evil too!
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:27am PT
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Been there done that Bluie! 38 years or so as a climber. For me, a lot of it had to do with a shoulder injury and massive amounts of new routing at a new area. I've gotten over the kid thing as they've grown up and moved out some time ago. So I stopped going out to that "new" spot, dropped back to easier routes, and redeveloped a love for the game.
You will too. Just catch your breath for a bit.
Regards!
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:30am PT
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I've been thinking along the same lines. My boy is two and a half now.
I'm swamped with school, and multiple jobs and other stuff.
The fire is not out for me, but it doesn't burn every day like it used to.
A lot of the risk doesn't seem worth it. Many if the routes seem repetitious. I don't feel like doing the work to stay in shape, unless you consider round and pudgy a shape.
On the other hand, I do want to go check out new places. That part is still going strong right now.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Happy Boulders
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Jun 15, 2011 - 12:35am PT
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having climbed for over thirty years, there have been times when I didn't have the "fire". I took a break, and the climbing is better the second, third, and fourth, time around.
you still have the "fire", it's just smoldering. When it starts to flare up, you'll be back.
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