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Roadstead
Sport climber
Spokane, Wash.
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Feb 24, 2019 - 07:22am PT
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Reilly, Undergoing bone marrow transplant as we speak. That has never even been put on the table as a possibility. Your wife is braver and stronger than I could ever be. Wish you two the very best of luck.
Roadstead
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EdwardT
Trad climber
Retired
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Feb 24, 2019 - 09:02am PT
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Reilly and Roadstead - Sorry to hear about situations.
Keep the faith, brothers!
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B Leigh
Big Wall climber
Oceanside, CA
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Feb 25, 2019 - 09:41am PT
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This thread should be pinned to the front of the forum and be made required reading for all who join. Very inspiring and motivational for those of us who are "youth-challenged" and exceedingly informative for the clueless and classless millennial gym rats who snicker at our struggles on an overhanging V2 or find your ratty sweats and tee shirt somehow humorous. (Seriously boys, yoga pants?)
I grew up climbing in the Pacific Northwest. Started in 100ft fir trees as a child and have climbed any and everything I could lay my hands on since. I learned rock climbing in Leavenworth and Squamish but when I moved to southern California (where guys wear the yoga pants) I stopped climbing for lack of partner, locale and motivation. That was 30 years ago. I've spent those years golfing (bogey golfer) and flying (aerobatics) - neither hobby is really affordable for me now.
I was sitting in the dentist chair last year and there was a video monitor showing a nice set of soothing images - when a pic of el Cap came up and I literally zoned out on it - I knew I had something left undone. In November I joined a climbing gym. I've gone from V0- to those V2s since then. No chinups to start - now can do 3. Working on 5.10 wall routes. Just trying to build strength in the gym.
Taking aid training, doing top rope soloing at Mt. Woodson, just started easy rope soloing, building skills, learning systems. To me it's reminiscent of my flight training. Flying and aid climbing are very similar disciplines.
I am so grateful for all the contributions by so many of you older, experienced members - I might not have considered this path without your encouraging stories, anecdotes and willingness to share your knowledge.
Look for me in the valley come fall.
Bradley Leighton
BLeigh
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Feb 25, 2019 - 09:48am PT
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Just gonna call you Leighton Kor, son.
Great post!
Best wishes @ reclaiming your youth!
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Alan Rubin
climber
Amherst,MA.
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Feb 25, 2019 - 10:36am PT
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Just back from El Potrero Chico and was pleased to see a very good representation of over 60s (some of them 'well over') amongst the 'mix' climbing there, many of them (myself excluded unfortunately)crushing at quite respectable standards. So there are plenty of positive role models for those approaching, or already beyond, that dreaded 6.0.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Feb 25, 2019 - 06:07pm PT
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I am only 56.. unfortunately some injuries. Isa turned 60 this summer we are pretty stoked in this shot because we just climbed a grade 5 at the lake :)
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yosemite 5.9
climber
santa cruz
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Feb 25, 2019 - 07:00pm PT
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I am sixty-four.
I have hiked up Mt. Dana in Yosemite from the parking lot at 10,000 feet to the summit at 13,000 feet five years in a row. It is an easy way to get to 13,000.
On my 2018 visit there in I also climbed half-way up Hobbit Book at about 9,000 feet until incoming rain forced us to retreat. The approach to Hobbit Book is much more difficult than the climb. It was our second year in a row that we tried. We have been rained out each time. I can still do an occasional 5.10 crack move and feel fine on 5.10 face.
I have also worked up for about eight years now to swimming 1,000 yards of butterfly non-stop, including in 2018. It is at a smooth steady pace, just short of going over my aerobic threshold.
None of these are spectacular accomplishments. But they all take training, patience and determination.
Oh ya, When I was sixty, I spent four hours in the gym one day, lifting, pressing or pulling 106,000 pounds, which is 53 tons. All with free weights, no machines. It took me a year to work up to it. I had twelve different exercises to get me there.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Feb 25, 2019 - 07:08pm PT
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I think that's remarkable, doing 1,000 yds. of the butterfly.
I was just sixteen and had enough to handle with the 400 yds. freestyle the coach assigned me in meets (someone had to do it and I was the low man).
Total RESPECT, 5.9. boo-yah!
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B Leigh
Trad climber
Oceanside, CA
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Feb 25, 2019 - 07:32pm PT
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Yeah, 1000 yds of fly would be like asking me to climb 5.13 - never gonna happen :)
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Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
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Feb 25, 2019 - 08:47pm PT
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1000 yards of Butterfly is awesome at any age
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Nick
climber
Dazed, Confused
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Feb 25, 2019 - 08:56pm PT
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Thank you for all of your stories. I have been on a hiatus from climbing for a year now. Although I hike, mountain bike and ski frequently, I have put on a few pounds. Your stories will help motivate me to lose the fat and to get back in shape, so that when retirement happens for me, I will be able to get back to climbing.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Feb 25, 2019 - 10:42pm PT
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The joke among some septuagenarian climbing locals is that we're members of the Assisted Living Climbing Team. T-shirts happened (note the "T" that has fallen and can't get up), and rumors of a bumper sticker are surfacing.
Admission requirements are that you have to climb at some level and be 70 or older. But it transpired that many of our friends were deeply saddened by their ineligibility, so we had to form a JV (60--69), then a development team (50--59), and finally a Pop Warner League (<50).
I keep telling folks they shouldn't be in a rush to get old, but do they listen? We are all well aware that the assisted living joke is funny until some of us end up there, but we've opted to enjoy the humor while it lasts.
In the winter, the ALCT shows up in the gym around noon on certain weekdays. In the shot below, I'm joined by VMC members Claude Suhl and Elaine Mathews.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Feb 26, 2019 - 06:51am PT
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That's great, Rgold! Good times.
BAd
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10b4me
Social climber
Lida Junction
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Feb 26, 2019 - 07:43am PT
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This year I turn 59. Before I turn 60 I hope to complete a weekend birthday challenge / oldman triathlon.
Saturday - Mountain bike 100 miles of single track.
Sunday - Swim 8000 meters (5 miles).
Sunday - Walk half marathon (13.1 miles).
Good for you.
100 miles of single track would beat me up.
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10b4me
Social climber
Lida Junction
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Feb 26, 2019 - 07:45am PT
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Sorry to hear about the wife, Reilly.
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jstan
climber
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Feb 26, 2019 - 08:17am PT
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Good grief. If Cathy and I had not thru hiked the JM when I was 62, I would not even remember what it
was like to be 60. The decline got much faster at 65. That I remember.
When in my 30's I briefly had a sore muscle that Hans Kraus exercised with an electrical gadget. Now
for $50 you can get a two channel tens unit to do this. Last two days I have used one on a minor lower
back problem I have had for the last fifty years. Seems to help. But I am no MD.
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Stimulator-Upgraded-Self-Adhesive-Electrodes/dp/B06ZZ19MS3
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Feb 26, 2019 - 08:29am PT
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At 66, just happy to still be kickin'.
Crossing the Wigwam River in southern British Columbia...
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Adventurer
Mountain climber
Virginia
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Feb 26, 2019 - 11:31am PT
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Turning the big 70 in a few weeks! Still cycling, hiking, and exploring the world.
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High Fructose Corn Spirit
Gym climber
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Feb 26, 2019 - 11:54am PT
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Curious if any of you guys have had the opportunity to track your VO2 max and power output over the years with two or more CP fitness tests?
Personally, unfortunately, I can now add a lower VO2 max to my increased wrinkles, increased graying, decreased bladder performance.
It seems sometimes changes are so incremental you hardly notice them. But the VO2 max doesn't lie. It's kinda disappointing.
It wouldn't surprise me if in the future CP fitness tests were a standard fitness test (say every five years) in the doctor's office - at least for those interested. I for one would certainly partake.
Conrad Anker or Peter Croft, if you've had such a test, or battery of tests, as part of your athletic career, I'd really enjoy seeing your input. Doubly so if you also have recorded, per chance, your Ldl/Hdl ratio over the years; no matter what I do, I can't seem to get mine down.
For anyone interested, for reference...
[Click to View YouTube Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDMsalOuDpA
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steveA
Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
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Feb 26, 2019 - 12:37pm PT
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I was actively climbing for 52 years until about a year ago, when at 72 I herniated another disc. It really is surprising how fast one can get out of shape, and my goal is to get back in shape for this coming season. I free soloed a 5.10 crack climb a year ago, and wouldn't get off the ground on it right now.
I've had 2 back operations in the past, but will avoid any more. Anyone here want to trade backs?
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