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mountainrat
Mar 28, 2002, 10:40 AM
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There was a show on NGC last night about a guy (named something-"Vaughan,"), who climbed Mt. Vaughan in Antarctica 3 days before his 89th birthday. I watched it for about 5 seconds before I formed a strong opinion, and I'm wondering what yours is:
a.- was the guy just an old fool, caught in the commercialization of the mountains, exploited and sensationalized, sending totally sans style or integrity?
OR~
b.- is he living testament to the tenacity of the human race, displaying the courage, strength and endurance that helps to define human beings as creatures who "Do not go gently into that good night?"
[ This Message was edited by: mountainrat on 2002-03-28 02:41 ]
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lostangel
Mar 28, 2002, 11:48 AM
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I mostly agree with B.
BUT in my opinion, he has a lot of fortitude, and is simply addicted to climbing.
I hope I am like that when I am 89!! that is my ultimate goal!
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tygereye
Mar 28, 2002, 12:09 PM
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Definitely B. The old man most likely loves to climb and just did it 'because it was there'
The media probably only made a huge fuss over the whole thing (which is, by the way, extremely impressive)
I wouldn't mind being like that when I'm old, either
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coach
Mar 28, 2002, 1:34 PM
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Mountainrat,
I watched the entire program and was amazed at how Vaughan held on to his dream with all the things that went wrong when the younger folks around him were ready to give up. He never threw in the towel even after the plane crash that injured on of his party, his money was running out and it seemed he would never get there. He had a dream and held on to it and in the end he conquered it.
Climb On
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clam
Mar 28, 2002, 7:53 PM
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Wow! B for sure. It gives me great hope and encouragement that I do not have to/ought not give up this great activity too early.
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mitchal
Mar 29, 2002, 12:59 AM
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I think....B....
I pray that I can still climb at any level when I am even thinking about that age.I only started climbing when I was 41,so that would give me 48 years to get good.
Climb Happy,,,,young or OLD
Mitch
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dondiego
Mar 29, 2002, 1:14 AM
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I would say that the only difference between an old climber and a young climber is time on the earth. We make the decision whether to stop challenging ourselves or not. I might have climbed better on my first day of climbing than I will on my last day, but I promise you that I will feel just as good when I get to the top of my last climb as I did on my first climb. There is a new world out there for older athletes now. For so long, once people were over 55-60, they were told to sit, get fat, and "enjoy" being old. I will enjoy growing old by not sitting or getting fat. -Don Diego-
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miagi
Mar 29, 2002, 1:30 AM
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B - The man was probably passionate of what he did. He is 89, and only has so many years left. He gave it a go to do what he wanted and accomplished it. Im sure it was a great adventure for him.
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