I am no longer a 5.7 climber

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Rudder

Trad climber

Costa Mesa, CA

Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 18, 2018 - 03:24pm PT

I am no longer a 5.11 climber
I am no longer a 5.10 climber
I am no longer a 5.9 climber
I am no longer a 5.8 climber
I am no longer a 5.7 climber

I am currently iffy as a 5.6 climber

Getting old and fat sucks. And, that's about all I have to say about that.

Woody the Beaver

Trad climber

Soldier, Idaho

Apr 18, 2018 - 03:36pm PT

Outstanding!

Toker Villain

Big Wall climber

Toquerville, Utah

Apr 18, 2018 - 04:56pm PT

I went from 173 pounds to 136.

Can't quit aging but you can diet.

Fritz

Social climber

Choss Creek, ID

Apr 18, 2018 - 05:13pm PT

I still have managed every 5.7 someone has belayed me up. I last led 5.7 on two multipitch routes, 3 years ago.

However, I'm still sprinting up 5.6a's on lead. Harder grades of 5.6's are a little more challenging.

I feel bad that Locker isn't here to chime in on the subject.

Unfortunately, I still fit into the same Patagonia climbing pants I wore in 1981.

Maybe, at age 68, I need to climb more than 6 times a year?
Rock climbing is still fun, but it obviously isn't my life.

Capt.

climber

some eastside hovel

Apr 18, 2018 - 05:16pm PT

I got worked on a 5.7 at Josh last time down there. Not my proudest JT trip. Have climbed harder grades since but that trip still bugs me.

MikeL

Social climber

Southern Arizona

Apr 18, 2018 - 05:55pm PT

Cheers to you all.

jogill

climber

Colorado

Apr 18, 2018 - 08:50pm PT

My first trip out to the Tetons I found 5.6s to be somewhat challenging and great fun.

(unfortunately, that was in 1889)

DanMerrick

Social climber

Mo' Hill, CA

Apr 19, 2018 - 06:31am PT

Very soon I think I will walking up moderately inclined slopes.

RURP_Belay

Big Wall climber

Bitter end of a bad anchor

Apr 19, 2018 - 06:40am PT

I am no longer a 5.7 climber

Not sure I would ever admit that on-line...to each their own.

EdwardT

Trad climber

Retired

Apr 19, 2018 - 06:59am PT

I am currently iffy as a 5.6 climber

You should definitely day trade.

kpinwalla2

Social climber

Apr 19, 2018 - 07:05am PT

"Not sure I would ever admit that on-line...to each their own."

I'll admit that I never saw myself as a 5.anything climber, just as a climber. The grade of the route really never entered into my calculation of whether or not I had a good day of climbing. There have been many days that have been more enjoyable and satisfying where I climbed easier rather than harder routes, where the people, the scenery, the weather were ideal. Pushing my limits, competition, striving to do climbs of a particular rating etc. have had almost nothing to do with why I climb, and I've been at it now for 45 years. I've seen many friends quit climbing over the years, and most of them were motivated by the numbers. If they can't get up a 5.11 or climb at least as hard as so-in-so, it's just not worth it to them anymore. They're the ones that would come back from a day of climbing and, in response to "what did you do?" would answer "three 5.11's, two 5.10's, and a 5.9". That told me nothing useful. What I wanted to know were the names of the routes, or descriptions of the climbs, or something about the rock. I've had a climber disparage one of my routes by saying "my grandmother could do that". My response, had I bothered, would have been, "well if she does, I hope she enjoys herself". To each their own, indeed.

justthemaid

climber

Jim Henson's Basement

Apr 19, 2018 - 07:18am PT

I'm with ya on tha Kpinwalla^^^

For me it's just the fun experience of being outdoors. Grades are irrelevant- then again I was never good to begin with so I lack any grade expectations..

Gary

Social climber

Desolation Basin, Calif.

Apr 19, 2018 - 07:27am PT

Total agreement here. Unfortunately, my shoulder is all mucked up now. There's certain positions that are just painful. Can't lieback, for instance. I can still do some gym climbs, or top rope, but it's not the same. I was never any good numbers wise, but I was a solid leader at my grades and enjoyed all of it. If I can't lead, it's like, what's the point?

I miss it a lot, but life moves on.

RURP_Belay

Big Wall climber

Bitter end of a bad anchor

Apr 19, 2018 - 08:46am PT

Maybe I should rephrase my statement:

"I don't know if I would start a thread about not being a 5.7 climber...

I kind of thought it was a tongue-in-cheek spin-off thread anyway.

Climb (whatever) on!

August West

Trad climber

Where the wind blows strange

Apr 19, 2018 - 01:36pm PT

I am no longer a 5.7 climber

Not sure I would ever admit that on-line...to each their own.

I would be really happy to be a fifth class climber.

I was hopping to spend my grey haired years doing long, easy moderate alpine climbs or even alpine scrambles.

As it is, on a good day, I can climb out of bed without too much back pain and climb a flight of stairs without too much pain in my knees.