Being broke, loss of "non-climbing" friends, inability to hold on to serious relationships, inability to hold a steady job, strong affinity for skipping out of work on sunny days (or not so sunny days in extreme cases), fear of commitment to anything but a route (or a dream), long gnarled hair, leather like skin (especially the hands) , aches and pains in parts of your body you didn't know you had, rusty beat up vehicles that may get you to the climb (but probably not back), and a whole plethora of other effects

Being broke, loss of "non-climbing" friends, inability to hold on to serious relationships, inability to hold a steady job, strong affinity for skipping out of work on sunny days (or not so sunny days in extreme cases), fear of commitment to anything but a route (or a dream), long gnarled hair, leather like skin (especially the hands) , aches and pains in parts of your body you didn't know you had, rusty beat up vehicles that may get you to the climb (but probably not back), and a whole plethora of other effects.....

That about sums it up, and constantly dating 21 year olds because they are the only ones that go for your "sporting life" mack.

There was a medical article comparing long term pot smokers to non pot smokers within the last couple years in terms of IQ, problem solving skills, etc. and pot smokers did worse overall. So I would say that climbing lowers your IQ. :lol:

What, not all climbers smoke pot?

Not sure if I believe it - but I ready about a study once that pot doesn't kill brain sells. It actually coats those active cells in protein or something, which *temporarily* renders them inactive - kinda like preserving them. So perhaps, after 40 years of pot smoking, you stop, the protein breaks down (which they claim it does) then all of a sudden you are a real bright senior citizen :-P or maybe not :roll:

Being broke, loss of "non-climbing" friends, inability to hold on to serious relationships, inability to hold a steady job, strong affinity for skipping out of work on sunny days (or not so sunny days in extreme cases), fear of commitment to anything but a route (or a dream), long gnarled hair, leather like skin (especially the hands) , aches and pains in parts of your body you didn't know you had, rusty beat up vehicles that may get you to the climb (but probably not back), and a whole plethora of other effects...

years of small injuries take their toll. the arthritis spreads from your fingers to your elbows, shoulders, knees, everywhere. The bones spurs occasionlly lock your joints up in pain. but the secret wepon against these things is NEVER stop climbing. as long as you do this you will sort of be ok.
motion is the magic potion.

Well, I guess we can take a look at alot of the older climbers. Most don't seem to be in too bad of shape, actually alot are in far better shape than others their age. I think if your prone to degenerative injuries then you going to end up with them wether or not your a climber.
We can also keep an eye on John Sherman, I mean theres a guy thats seriously hurt about every part of the body that can be hurt, and he climbs way more than most of us. So if anyone, he should be crippled up at a realtively young age.
As far as the emotional parts, alot of the posts seem to be right. Climbing is great, but it has a way of making it hard to deal with non-climbers including you family, friends and other loved ones. Most people don't understand our mentality and why we would constantly push ourselves so hard. Plus, being gone so much on weekends, holidays, and on trips makes you miss out on alot of whats going on back home.
All in all, I think its still worth it.

Jack Tackle would be another good example. He's doing well if anyone knows him. Also Alex Lowe climbed close to 5 years with only his closest friends/co-workers knowing of his ACL problem. Maybe they hide it well or are really mutants. I think it's more about drive. The mind is your best piece of gear. Pain? What pain? Oud.

There is no doubt that Alex Lowe was a mutant! That guy did stuff that humans shouldn't be capable of, But thats another thread on its own.

i knwo that this is not exactly a nice thing to post here but then its a fact and all of us might as weel be aware of it rather than ignorant.....
i would like to know what problems are associated with long term climbing./...,,,i have a friend of mine who is 36 and he has arthritis on his nuckles cause of climbing too hard.... he says that he tried to push himself too hard.... i would like to know if there are more problems like this...and if there are any ways to better prevnt them.....if anyone know a website please let me know...
thanks a lot for the answers...

Fred Becky - most people his age are playing bridge in the nursing home, he's still at it.

Sounds like your friend is a big sissy. Long term, climbing can cause loss of money, smelly shoes, and excessive gear envy. Thats the downside. The real effects are more a positive outlook on life, rejection of narrow thought, and a more fulfilled life.

If you are that worried about it, take up knitting. But be careful you and your candy a## friend don't poke your hands with the big needles.

to dredsovrn:

I think maybe you're being a bit harsh. how old are you ? you're either too young to have started developing problems or you're one of the lucky ones. either way dissing someone because of concern over injury doesn't make it. 36 is a bit early to be falling apart, but it happens. I know guys climbing 12+ at age 57 but I also have a friend who once was much better than me who had to quit climbing in his forties because the tendons in his hands became such a mangled mess he could no longer straighten them out. It hits everybody differently. Best thing you can to is train intelligently, and over the long haul maybe you'll be ok.
But never quit climbing no matter what, its too good for the head.

Being broke, loss of "non-climbing" friends, inability to hold on to serious relationships, inability to hold a steady job, strong affinity for skipping out of work on sunny days (or not so sunny days in extreme cases), fear of commitment to anything but a route (or a dream), long gnarled hair, leather like skin (especially the hands) , aches and pains in parts of your body you didn't know you had, rusty beat up vehicles that may get you to the climb (but probably not back), and a whole plethora of other effects...

:wink: Just kidding man... I had to do it...

There can be no question that I was being too harsh. In fact, I said his friend was a big pus@y, not sissie. It appears that the site automatically changes that word. I thought in lessened my harsh tone and was thus disappointed.

To answer your question I am 35 and lots of stuff hurts when I climb. Sometimes it hurts worse the next day, and even worse the day after that. It kind of comes with the sport. I was also being a bit facetious. A bit.

I'm pretty sure that, for me, the worst long term (chronic) health impact of climbing has been to my liver.

Curt

What are the antagonistic muscles? Just curious.

I dunno mate, but they sound like some mean MOFOs, I wouldnt mess with them, peace :roll:

I've got these bunion thingees on both my big toes!! ... which have only developed since I started climbing. :oops: Aaarghghgh, not cool! At the moment they're merely unsightly, and not painful if I don''t leave my climbing shoes on for too long.

.... recently I heard of the 'bunionectomy' procedure to remove 'em...... and it sounds sickeningly painful - not too mention the fact that you're rendered practically immobile for a good few months!

Bah, I guess it's 'welcome to the ugly feet club' for me! :roll:

I was starting to suffer with a slight hammer toe and start of a bunion from wearing too-tight rock shoes. This year I bought asymmetrical shoes which fit properly and are only as tight as I lace them. The problem has almost disappeared now, and I can wear the shoes all day with no major discomfort. I would recommend you consider the same solution. :)