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jgill
Jun 24, 2003, 4:15 AM
Post #26 of 64
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Registered: May 18, 2002
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As the senior citizen on rc.com, I guess I'd better speak up. At 66 I still solo modestly high in the Colorado air, and play on low boulders a bit. However, I disappoint some because I have no interest in sport climbing! Oh, well, can't please everybody. :cry:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...mp.cgi?Detailed=5671
8)
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billcoe_
Jun 24, 2003, 4:28 AM
Post #27 of 64
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Registered: Jun 30, 2002
Posts: 4694
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John that phenomenal. I'm sure you are still outclimbing many of the young pups since you're probably still outclimbing me and I usually outclimb them myself.
I'm 48, climbing for 30 years and climb with a 55 year old guy when his ear/balance is in condition.
Regards:
Bill
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curt
Jun 24, 2003, 4:36 AM
Post #28 of 64
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Registered: Aug 27, 2002
Posts: 18275
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I'm 47 years old and have been actively climbing and bouldering for 24 years now. Currently bouldering at V8 or so, but may be able to crank it up a notch or two if required. By the way, the key (and hardest) thing for me is to keep injury free as I get older. I sure don't heal as fast as I used to!
Curt
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alpnclmbr1
Jun 24, 2003, 4:38 AM
Post #29 of 64
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Registered: Dec 10, 2002
Posts: 3060
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I’m 42 now,(climbing for 19) I am as strong as I have ever been and plan on getting even stronger, hopefully due to an increased commitment to climbing.
There is a mid 50’s 13d climber at Rifle.
There is a 51year old 5.14a climber in France
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sharpender
Jun 24, 2003, 7:18 AM
Post #30 of 64
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Registered: Apr 15, 2003
Posts: 663
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I'm 56. Started climbing in 80, so thats 23 years ago. Ruptured two disks in my neck and had surgery in 83. That slowed me down, couldn't crank hard mantels anymore. I did work my way back up to leading in the 11 range (all face) in my fortys. Work, life and two cancers slowed me down for a few years but in the last year I'm back out - leading 5.7 and 8 fairly comfortable and cranked a few tens which I think I could climb readily if I could get out enough. lookin' for partners in Southern Cal.
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moss1956
Jun 24, 2003, 1:00 PM
Post #31 of 64
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Registered: Sep 6, 2002
Posts: 213
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Hi,
I am 47 years old. This time around I started when I was 45. I climbed in my late 20's when I lived in Santa Barbara and I climbed as a teenager in Colorado.
I live in Iowa so I mostly climb the limestone here, though this year I managed to go to Red Rocks in Nevada during March, the black cliffs outside of Boise in May and Eldorado Canyon in June. I am going to climb in the Tatra mountains in Poland in July. I have also climbed City of Rocks in Idaho, and Devil's lake in Wisconsin.
I can lead 5.9 sport, but I am hoping to break through to leading 5.10's soon. I am mostly held back by fear. I am still limping from a hard lead fall I took in April, and I don't want to get hurt any worse, so I don't tend to climb things where I don't feel completely in control.
I love climbing tall traditional stuff. Its the combination of being in the outdoors and feeling the warm rock, and being totally absorbed in an activity. It leaves me totally relaxed. I have yet to lead anything harder than a 5.8 trad.
My intention is to keep climbing till I can't.
Moss
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robbovius
Jun 24, 2003, 1:17 PM
Post #32 of 64
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Registered: Nov 20, 2002
Posts: 8406
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I started climbing seriously/regularly/weekly on the weekend of my 47th birthday, 11/02. I intend to keep on climbing until I physically can no longer do it.
oh yeah, so far the hardest thing I've completed (all top rope, that's plenty for me right now) in one try - not the first try, mind you - is a 5.9 fingercrack at College Rock in Hopkinton MA, but I can tell the 5.10 that spits me off halfway up is gonna fall any day now ;-)
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pehperboy
Jun 24, 2003, 3:18 PM
Post #33 of 64
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Registered: Jun 21, 2003
Posts: 871
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Oh man, I got bitten hard when I was 40 and I'll be 42 later this year. My first summit was in jeans and $15 boots, and that was it. I'm obsessed, addicted, whatever.
I dabbled in sport climbing 7 or 8 years ago but let it go. Now in between heading up to local peaks and cragging every possible weekend, I'm at the climbing gym bouldering when I can't find a partner. I'll bag a peak any time of year, provided the weather's not too ugly.
I didn't get it when I was 20. Had to sort too much mental sh*t out to make room for the focus needed to climb. Now a night of climbing can take the stress out of a bad day. Last week I had major stress, and after a night of leading and top roping I went home feeling totally relieved.
And one bonus is being in good shape - no more gut for this middle aged male!
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sonso45
Jun 24, 2003, 3:32 PM
Post #34 of 64
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Registered: Sep 1, 2002
Posts: 997
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I am almost 50 and have been climbing for about 25 years. I don't climb as hard as I did in my 40's but I can still lead trad 11s with great effort and I can dog up almost any sport climb with holds I can see. M
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mike
Jun 24, 2003, 4:46 PM
Post #35 of 64
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Registered: Aug 20, 2002
Posts: 1461
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I'm 53 and I've been climbing ever since I can remember..either one or two years..I dunno
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empty
Jun 24, 2003, 5:45 PM
Post #36 of 64
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Registered: May 23, 2003
Posts: 23
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Ditto. Started climbing at 41. I'm 44 now and TRing and seconding 5.11. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't get to 5.12 before I'm 50. Good luck to all us geezers.
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ageless
Jun 24, 2003, 8:12 PM
Post #37 of 64
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Registered: Nov 7, 2002
Posts: 8
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Along with John Gill I am one of the senior citizens. I started climbing at age 60 and I just turn 63. I sport climb 5.8 5.9. I am proud of myself.
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ninjaslut
Jun 24, 2003, 8:33 PM
Post #38 of 64
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Registered: Jun 17, 2003
Posts: 260
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Oh, sweet, so I shouldn't worry that I'm 26, just started, and suck now.
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mingus
Jun 24, 2003, 8:33 PM
Post #39 of 64
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Registered: Jun 5, 2003
Posts: 55
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I am 45, been climbing for 25 years now and feel like the only thing keeping me from climbing harder is my own laziness and indulgent habits.
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mitchal
Jun 24, 2003, 8:35 PM
Post #40 of 64
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Registered: Jan 21, 2002
Posts: 672
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43 and climbing
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climber1
Jun 24, 2003, 9:22 PM
Post #41 of 64
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Registered: May 5, 2000
Posts: 484
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Forty-nine, and climbing off and on for twenty-four years. Hope to be climbing for another twenty years.
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oldandintheway
Jun 25, 2003, 2:15 AM
Post #42 of 64
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Registered: Aug 13, 2002
Posts: 2450
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To paraphrase Shakes the Clown: My profile and moniker says it all. 8)
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gblauer
Moderator
Jun 25, 2003, 4:03 PM
Post #43 of 64
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Registered: Oct 4, 2002
Posts: 2824
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I am older than dirt (and mitchal) and still climbing. In fact, I just got started climbing. Just summited Devil's Tower twice in one day a couple of weeks ago. Not bad for a really really OLD lady.
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deleted
Deleted
Jun 25, 2003, 10:29 PM
Post #44 of 64
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geo here. 42 and climbing since i was 6 (but really, how much climbing can one do as a young tyke?). i'm more of a mountaineer so, as a generalist, i'll never be able to keep up with the elite, anorexic specialists. :D
i trad in the .9 to .10 range with the odd .11 from time to time. i'm at the point in my climbing career, though, where i really don't care about grade as much as the aesthetics and the movement. i'd much rather get up a beautiful 5 pitch 5.8 with a great partner than do a 1 pitch 5.10.
but my REAL loves are ice/alpine climbing and being in the high peaks (especially in full winter conditions). sometimes fleetness of feet takes a backseat to wits and determination.
or maybe i'm just slow. :lol:
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yosemite
Jun 26, 2003, 12:59 AM
Post #45 of 64
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Registered: Dec 5, 2002
Posts: 331
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50. Lovin' life. Climbing with my kids. In another 15 to 20 years we may have a three generation rope team. That would be fun.
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iamthewallress
Jun 26, 2003, 1:59 AM
Post #46 of 64
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Registered: Jan 2, 2003
Posts: 2463
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In reply to: I`m 46 and have been climbing for 46 years. Roped climbing has been part of my life now for about 9 years.
LOL, Phil! I've been reading your posts for a couple of years, and somehow in my mind's eye I've imagined you as a late-20-something/early-30-something.
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tradmanclimbs
Jun 26, 2003, 2:15 AM
Post #47 of 64
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Registered: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 2599
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I'm Only 41 but I climbed Vertigo on cannon cliff NH today and I feel great.
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ezjay40
Jun 26, 2003, 10:58 AM
Post #48 of 64
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Registered: Nov 18, 2002
Posts: 550
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In reply to: As the senior citizen on rc.com, I guess I'd better speak up. At 66 I still solo modestly high in the Colorado air, and play on low boulders a bit. However, I disappoint some because I have no interest in sport climbing! Oh, well, can't please everybody. :cry: http://www.rockclimbing.com/...mp.cgi?Detailed=5671 8)
Way to go dude
Your my new supper hero ! at the age of 44 , I now have something to look forward too !
Climb often, climb hard
Dennis
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crankenstein
Jun 26, 2003, 1:04 PM
Post #49 of 64
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Registered: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 164
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I'm 44 and have been climbing for 20+ years. I remember leading my first 5.10s and 11s back in 1985 or so. It seems like I never progressed much beyond that, but I have covered a lot of ground at that level over the years and continue to do so. It's good to hear from so many "old timers" and see that there are many out there like me, that got bit by the "bug" and could never consider quitting. Climbing changed my life and continues to be a big reason to keep myself in shape and look to the future as I now have 2 boys that will soon be old enough to climb with me. Now I've got to stay in shape to keep up with them and hopefully they will be my rope guns in the future.
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mheyman
Jun 26, 2003, 1:58 PM
Post #50 of 64
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Registered: Jul 25, 2002
Posts: 607
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45, been climbing 9 years. I'm stronger than I have ever been, and fitter than I have been since my teens. Recovery time after hard workouts (of any type) is longer than it used to be. At least I'm am still climbing harder, and harder rather than the other way round. That doesn't seem unusual to me. Most of my partners young and old are too.
Mark Heyman
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