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johnr9q
Sport climber
Sacramento, Ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 30, 2014 - 11:13am PT
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More often than not I think older climbers are rare because of desire reduction rather than body deterioration. The old saying "Use it or lose it" is part of the equation. Probably the reason for the lack of "Use it" is that it's easier to sit on the couch than get up and do something. This desire to "sit on the couch" may be more motivated by the old saying "been there, done that" rather than older climbers bodies giving up. Another thing to consider is the older climbers you do see have some kind of unusual, unexplained, inner motivation that keeps them coming back. I have, for some time, referred to this as being "BLESSED" (Kind of a religious term but appropriately descriptive none-the-less). I believe some are BLESSED and others aren't. It may be a random thing that you either have or don't have. However, there may be an action component in there with regards to actions you take and decisions you have made all through your life. I know that the longer you live the more opportunity you have for injuries that can cause chronic problems and and in addition you may have additional physical ailments. This certainly accounts for some of the reason there aren't more older climbers but this issue probably accounts for less than the issues I discussed above. For purposes of this post I am calling an older climber one that is at least 65 years old because I am 69 and it's my post. Unfortunately many in the 40+ group (or even younger) also consider themselves old so hopefully something they read in the following posts may cause them to reconsider their "old" status. I really want this post to be more about Older climbers providing insight into the BLESSED issue and about their ability to get up in the morning and get with it. (I know BLESSED is kinda corny but it's the best I could come up with). The bottom line: IF YOU THINK YOU'RE OLD, YOU'RE OLD.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jan 30, 2014 - 11:23am PT
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There are several factors....mind and body. If you let yourself get out of shape as you age you're in trouble....it becomes much more difficult to regain conditioning. I know a lot of older climbers still with desire but who are troubled by joint issues. Let's face it, body parts wear out.
Then there are the myriad of climbers who just give into the temptation to sit on the patio, drink in hand, and wax poetic about the good old days.
As energy levels wane with aging, a concerted effort has to be made to get off of the couch. Trust me, once you do that the rest is comparatively easy.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Jan 30, 2014 - 11:25am PT
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jgill
Boulder climber
Colorado
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Jan 30, 2014 - 12:06pm PT
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Once into your 70s you may find that changes in the body occur faster and effort is required to maintain (not increase) physical ability. This takes will power coupled with the desire to delay the inevitable as long as possible.
Climbing is well suited to these efforts for skill can substitute for power and strength at times and distribution of effort across the entire frame of one's body helps. But be cautious with balance - the most fundamental aspect of climbing.
Bodyweight exercises are generally harder with their focused requirements of certain muscle groups, but people like Fred Archembault of New Hampshire have managed to do many (20) consecutive pull-ups near the age of 90. While Fred doesn't climb I suspect he is far "stronger" than Beckey (for whom I have great admiration). As to which is "in better shape" that's your decision to make.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Jan 30, 2014 - 12:55pm PT
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I'll take any advice you guys got, but I know my grandfather was one tough farmer that that did tough physical labor well into to his eighties and it was what kept him young. Climbing is my farming.
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Jan 30, 2014 - 01:00pm PT
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Use it or lose it.
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TomCochrane
Trad climber
Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay
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Jan 30, 2014 - 01:09pm PT
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the increasing challenge with age is the narrowing gap of avoiding injury while maintaining a level of fitness allowing you to still play
and realizing the level of challenge is much less important than the level of having fun
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Jan 30, 2014 - 02:34pm PT
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Tom said it perfectly. I'm still a youngster at 62, but I think I still have as much fun climbing as I did when I was 22 -- even if my best climbing ability is a rather long way on the other side of the hill.
John
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Plaidman
Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Jan 30, 2014 - 03:12pm PT
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I didn't start climbing till I was 42. At 51 now, I plan on doing it till I can't.
Given my tenacity and plain meanness that may be quite a few more years.
Plaid
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tornado
climber
lawrence kansas
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Jan 30, 2014 - 03:23pm PT
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They are too fat and drunk to climb anymore.
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Jan 30, 2014 - 03:29pm PT
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Oy vay.
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clinker
Trad climber
California
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Jan 30, 2014 - 03:30pm PT
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Manufacturing routes with chisels and pins, it seems. I hope not all.
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patrick compton
Trad climber
van
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Jan 30, 2014 - 03:39pm PT
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real photo. in 30 years I'll be shootin up HGH too!
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jan 30, 2014 - 04:18pm PT
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Jgill and Tom ^^^^ have already summarized my point of view.
That said, I still have the desire to climb, which is another can of worms.
Being able to accept one's limitations is very difficult. I still have some fun, though.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jan 30, 2014 - 04:25pm PT
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Given my tenacity and plain meanness that may be quite a few more years.
I don't know about the "meanness" part, but a big YUP for the tenacity! You've always been very kind to me.
Tom and Rodger and John have stated it perfectly. Even though I haven't sustained huge debilitating injuries doing the activities I love (knock on wood) there is also the cumulative effect of smaller aches and pains that need more TLC than in the past that create more "therapeutic" and rest days. Conditioning, balance and maintaining stamina get more attention than ever before.
Susan
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jan 30, 2014 - 04:37pm PT
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hey there say, all... not a climber, but i fit in with the physical stuff here, as to the greatoutdoors...
i like what donini said--it IS true, from what i've experienced and seen, for others in our age groups, and even as to younger folks:
As energy levels wane with aging, a concerted effort has to be made to get off of the couch. Trust me, once you do that the rest is comparatively easy.
and what jgill said:
something like this:
"watch out for balance"
am not sure if he meant balance in doing these things, or
'balance' itself... both are important...
but:
folks may be aware of the body aging but--they FORGET that the eyes and ears age, as well... you balance WILL be affected and you best be aware of it--it can add far more danger to things than one would suspect,
whether you are UP on a climb, or moving along a trail, or
simple walking in your HOUSE :O
and--the eyes, as well:
far sighted hits everyone, and through you off 'hear or there' when you reach for 'a crucial hold' etc...
so, once you have that 'initiative' and ARE climbing:
take those things into solid consideration and make a habit of
paying attention...
pay attention to joints that may 'lock up' or 'suddenly weaken' if
you HAVE them, take precautions (you all can come up with whatever it is that you need, in these cases)...
we do NOT want to lose our good buddies, not in old age or
anytime... :)
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Jan 30, 2014 - 06:08pm PT
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Where have all the old climber's gone?
Depends. They've gone to buy more Depends at CostCo.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Jan 30, 2014 - 06:47pm PT
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54 years old.
For me it was more a loss of nerve--and strength-I always was afraid of falling. Call it the curse of the old school leader.
Nowadays I ski a lot, canoe, Mt. Bike, and fly fish. I'm still getting after it, but not so much on the rocks.
hope to retire next year and it's possible that climbing will come back into my life. No real desire to push any danger zones. I'd be pretty happy to climb whatever candy ass route out there.
My strength will be in a long strong run of bull shtitting around the campfire!
So who knows, maybe I'll see you all out there--The first round will be on me.
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L
climber
California dreamin' on the farside of the world..
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Jan 30, 2014 - 07:07pm PT
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Where have all the old climbers gone?
Loooong time paaaassing.
Where have all the old climbers gone?
Loooong time agooo.
Where have all the old climbers gone?
They're over at Donini's puffin' on a bong.
Oh when will they ever learn?
Oh when will they...ever learn?
You have to be an old climber to recognize a Peter, Paul and Mary remix, eh?
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