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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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"One regrets the things they haven't done, not the ones they did"-anon.
Very true. But even that regret mellows with time.
And there are decisions other than those involving activity to be made when you get near or past the normal expiration date. A well-meaning nurse recently handed me a binder of information about how to prolong one's life. I read it, agreed with a couple of things, but had to tell her, "Time has slowly robbed me of one after another of my physical delights, leaving the sedentary ones, like eating and drinking and music and socializing. And I'll be damned if I'm going to spend what's left nibbling on kale and sipping green tea. That's not living!"
Rib roast and good wine tonight. If I smoked I'd make its a point to have a cigar too.
Of course you aren't there yet, but you will be. Carpe diem.
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MikeL
Social climber
Southern Arizona
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Tami:
Whining. (Good catch.)
(Apologies for the confusion.)
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crøtch
climber
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Hi Matisse,
When your leg is ready, let me know if you want to go standup paddleboarding @ the Cove. It's a fun low impact workout and you get to see some cool sea life.
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August West
Trad climber
Where the wind blows strange
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Of course once in a while I look up at some peak or potential rock route and wish I'd done it while I could, but climbing isn't everything
Thinking about this again reminds me of something I once heard. "One regrets the things they haven't done, not the ones they did"-anon.
Given all the things one could have done, climbing or otherwise, the only non-young people without regrets about the things that might have been done are those with no self-reflection.
I always thought the important thing was to not regret the things you did do.
And while I don't regret my climbing career, there were some climbing decisions that I made (a couple of which resulted in trips to the emergency room) that I think it is fair to say that I regret.
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matisse
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 3, 2017 - 06:53pm PT
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You guys are awesome! I appreciate all of your suggestions and encouragement and thoughts. Crotch I'm definitely going to take you up on the stand up paddling, it's one thing I wanted to try. I like being on top of the ocean, although I don't particularly like being in it a whole lot. Pewf I need to come visit you. I've been working my way through your novels, they been keeping me company on the couch.
I got the go ahead to wean off my crutches on Tuesday, but it happened in two days, so now I'm enjoying being able to carry things with my hands. I'm hoping to do a little work in the garden this weekend, getting the lettuce back into shape after five weeks of neglect.
Now I just have to see how much recovery I get in my poor knee. Five weeks out I've regained almost all of my range of motion, and I have been cycling on a stationary bike with very light load (at the suggestion of the orthopod) all along. Good thing I have a really nice bike ergometer in the lab. I've bumped the cycling up in duration.
I've decided I'm going to ride my mountain bike on the road for a bit (in very protected locations) as soon as the doc says ok. Then I'll see how I feel about off-road.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Henri Matisse first started to paint in 1889, after his mother brought him art supplies during a period of convalescence following an attack of appendicitis.
He discovered "a kind of paradise" as he later described it, and decided to become an artist.
He had lots of things to hang up in a very short time, they say.
Then came the sculpting and the rest.
There's lots of precedent for hope.
A lot of small steps, child.
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matisse
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 4, 2017 - 12:29pm PT
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Happily I can paint again too:
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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^^^I love that smile! I love the whole superb image.
I am so envious of dexterity like that coupled with an eye for the sublime, Locker.
And the Hopkins is great, too! :0)
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matisse
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 4, 2017 - 01:01pm PT
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my niece, so technically a Williams.
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Excellent painting!
Good subject, also.
"One regrets the things they haven't done, not the ones they did"-anon
Not true IMHO. As an example, I regret jumping off so many boulders for so long, leading to severe spinal problems in old age.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
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^^ time to hang it up
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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What August said:
Given all the things one could have done, climbing or otherwise, the only non-young people without regrets about the things that might have been done are those with no self-reflection.
There are infinite possibilities in life. To lack regret--at least of the mild variety--is to lack imagination.
BAd
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geiger
Trad climber
Doylestown pa
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Mar 29, 2017 - 09:18am PT
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Hey, I hit 68 next month and am going strong. Well that is a relative term. I feel much better on the dull end of the rope, but still climbing 7's and 8's. I've gone the broken ankle and screws bit, twice. My wrist went on a silly lead fall a few years ago, more screws. Other than arthritis all the parts are working again. The biggest part for me is not the climb, but the people I climb or kayak with. It is a hard community to think about leaving. Rule of thumb, I will wear out, not rust out!
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ericrak
climber
Boulder, CO
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Mar 29, 2017 - 09:18am PT
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I ran into Beckey at the gym a few months back. He said he needs to train more.
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mmelvin
Trad climber
san francisco
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Mar 29, 2017 - 09:21am PT
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No, don't hang it up, just modify. Lose the clipless. My son finally said, "Dad, you'll do fine not stressing over getting out of clips."
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feraldog
Trad climber
Placerville, CA
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Mar 29, 2017 - 09:36am PT
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Keep it up until you can't. I'm 77 years old and still climb 5.8 and 5.9 but not on lead any more. I have no plans to quit.
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Magic D
Trad climber
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Mar 29, 2017 - 09:43am PT
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Age has nothing to do with it, really. It's not about bones. Your heart has to decide. I ran my first marathon at 55. Done 4 so far. Started climbing at 57. This year, at 66, I hope to do El Cap w/my son, Alex (yes, him). If it's a dream, go for it!
If not, find a way to back off that still keeps you out there doing stuff!
About that El Cap thing -- anyone out there want to help me practice jugging in the Lover's Leap area this summer?? (Our climb will be in Sept.) I'll belay you up whatever you want, and jug up behind you. Need more outdoor experience at it before I go for the Big One.
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Srbphoto
climber
Kennewick wa
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Mar 29, 2017 - 10:21am PT
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Like many before have said... get a pair of flats and good pair of shoes (I like 5.10 Freerider, but a lot of people I know use approach shoes) with a little stickiness and rock it out.
Magic D - no matter how many times Little Alex says "let's just simul climb" just say no! LOL
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RealOldTradClimber
Trad climber
Greenfield, NH
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Mar 29, 2017 - 10:23am PT
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For sure, keep climbing and biking! I am about to turn 62 and am climbing more now than I did at 52 (the kids are older, need less driving around, and can lead the hard pitches for me!). The more I climb, the younger I feel!
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