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tmunny
Sep 22, 2002, 10:18 PM
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I have finally found out what I want to be when I grow up. A climber!
Thanks to my younger friends for talking me into trying the gym. Love it! I am looking forward to outdoor instruction now and cant wait.
Really enjoying rockclimbing.com and the people here. Thanks for the great information.
Oh, Im 42 today.......hehehehe
Too old?
People around me think I have lost my mind for sure. Im not ready to quit learning yet!
[ This Message was edited by: tmunny on 2002-09-23 18:54 ]
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katydid
Sep 22, 2002, 10:20 PM
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It's never too late to start doing something you love. Congratulations on finding it.
Kate
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geezergecko
Sep 22, 2002, 10:31 PM
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Tmunny, welcome to one of the nicer forms of insanity, and like any other mental disorder, professional help is the way to go. I started climbing at 50 last year and was inspired by a local 70 year old master of the rock. Katydid, hope you managed a few good routes at the Glen today.
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alpinerocket
Sep 22, 2002, 10:35 PM
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You are never to old. This year on the Grand Teton I met a 60-70 year old guy who was leading every pitch of the Upper Exum. What an inspiration!
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tmunny
Sep 24, 2002, 12:05 AM
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Thanks for the words of encouragement and for pointing out that people can and do climb in their 60s and 70s. WOW!
People here are really helpful...have already been contacted by someone here that lives in my region. Invited me to climb with them or at least watch and see what its all about.
I would need to just watch right now, very little gear and very little knowledge, but that would be fine by me. Got to start somewhere.
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paintinhaler
Sep 24, 2002, 12:38 AM
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It's rockclimbing.com, by the way.
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lukesootly
Sep 24, 2002, 12:41 AM
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rock on man welcome to the team
[ This Message was edited by: lukesootly on 2002-09-23 17:41 ]
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moun10man
Sep 24, 2002, 1:18 AM
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I don' know if this guy will ever grow up. I've know him for a little over 8 years and he is still just a kid in an adult's body you'r only as old as you feel
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tmunny
Sep 24, 2002, 1:51 AM
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Oooppps! Sorry about that.
Thanks Paint
Moun10man....you're a climbing machine! Its your fault I have a new addiction....lol. Thanks!
I need more gear.....hehehehe
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boz84
Sep 24, 2002, 5:35 AM
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Doesnt matter when you start.
When I was counseling rock climbing last summer one of the adult leaders decided he wanted to give it a try... I was a little cautious at first, afraid he would brak a hip or something, but he gave more heart and had the best additude out of anyone on the rock, and in the end,he had a better time than anyone out there.
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oldandintheway
Sep 24, 2002, 11:36 PM
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Too old? 42? Respect yer elders sonny! Now go fetch me something stout to drink.
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airscape
Sep 24, 2002, 11:46 PM
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I read of a guy that is 65 and he climbs above 5.12
Are dentures another form of undescovered pro???
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drector
Sep 25, 2002, 12:21 AM
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Starting to climb 3 years ago at 34, I only wish I had gotten into it sooner. I outclimbed my climbing partner for the first few years and he is about 23 now.
Never grow up! Never surrender!
Dave
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tmunny
Sep 25, 2002, 12:27 AM
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Thanks boz! I am finding out that quite a few start at my age and on up. Thats good to hear. Hope I can get things going pretty soon to do some outdoor learning.
My wife has really helped me out. She is great! She set me up with some cool gear to get started in earnest including some biners, one big screw lock biner, chalk bag, rope bag and ATC. What a birthday present!
She is really enthused about my climbing addiction. She bought herself a birthday present too......a 200k insurance policy on me....hehehehe
oldandintheway........I do respect you! I was reading some of your post on another thread about the gear people used before all the modern upgrades we have today. Anybody who climbed with that kind of gear has my upmost respect.
Steering clear of that walking cane!
airscape........I dont know about the dentures for pro but I think if I tried a 5.12 at this early stage........some "depends" would probably be handy.
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grigriese
Sep 25, 2002, 12:34 AM
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There's a group of guys that I climb with that are all in their mid 40's to late 50's. They've all been climbing since they were at least in their early twenties. I have learned so much from these guys! I'm 32, my boyfriend is 27 and we both regularly climb with these guys. My boyfriend is doing an aid route with Spike this week up in Zion - Lunar Ecstacy, he really enjoys climbing with guys that are older than him. They're mellow, are so easy to get along with and just love to climb. No whining from these guys and most importantly no ego trips. Just climbing. Age is no matter! Just get out there and climb! and oh yeah - have fun!
[ This Message was edited by: grigriese on 2002-09-24 17:37 ]
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crzdriver
Sep 25, 2002, 12:45 AM
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I started climbing, and my greatest (and current) mentor started at 43. He is in his late 50's now, and ownes the largest gym in the region. He has a degenerative bone disease, and he says that climbing is the only thing that keeps his joints from stopping on him. He just did the Grand last summer, as well. He still whips up on the younger guys once in a while. Great to see people like him climb!
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spike_in_milton
Sep 25, 2002, 12:49 AM
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Hiya tmunny,
I turn 42 soon and started climbing last year... glad to have you aboard! Just be mindful of those older bones; I thought mine were practically indestructible until I started climbing. Now I have to watch out for the tendonitis in my elbows, the strained tendon in my left forearm, and the torn muscle in my thigh , but you learn to ignore the rolling eyes of your family doctor pretty quick...
Adam
P.S. you always need more gear
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chanumpa
Sep 30, 2002, 10:06 AM
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Hey tmunny, glad to know I'm not the only crazy oldster in East TN. Just started this summer myself. I love it. I suck at it, but love it.
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likethegoddess
Sep 30, 2002, 5:28 PM
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WaHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Happy belated birthday to you. I've been feeling a freaky for taking up new stuff in my thirties. Learning to fire eat at 33. Like learning to boulder at 35. I look forward to breaking new ground when I'm 40, 50, 60... You give me hope, my friend.
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rollingstone
Sep 30, 2002, 11:09 PM
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"You can only be young once, but you can be immature your whole life!"
Besides, as Mr. Natural once pointed out, "The whole universe is completely insane!"
And this from a Mountain Trip bumper sticker: "You don't stop climbing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop climbing!"
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gettingold
Oct 5, 2002, 6:36 PM
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Hee Hee Hee!! we're all at it!! Get those kids off the rock, we are about to take over!!
PS Anyone tried belaying a zimmer frame up a 5.12!!!! (now there's a challenge_ Hee Hee Hee!
[ This Message was edited by: gettingold on 2002-10-05 11:38 ]
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