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climbingjunky
Dec 4, 2002, 6:01 AM
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I know it's never too late to start climbing but I was wondering how some of you climbers are doing who started out at this age. Looking at all these amzing younger athletes in the gym performing I'm wondering if all the training that I do will ever get me to such a high level of climbing. i wish had started out when i was much younger.
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manacubus
Dec 4, 2002, 6:22 AM
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Just take it at your own pace and enjoy the outdoors. Don't waste energy on judging yourself against others. If you have the view of climbing simply to experience what the rock has to offer, then you'll be relaxed and you can simply climb. You'll also notice your grades creeping higher and higher
26 is not old!
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coreyr
Dec 4, 2002, 6:27 AM
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Do you enjoy climbing? Climb because you enjoy it. Who cares what age you start at. If you have the desire and love for climbing anything is possible. It just takes time and hard work. Good luck!!
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climbingjunky
Dec 4, 2002, 6:36 AM
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Don't get me wrong. I love climbing. In fact i love it so much i can't seem to get it off my mind. I'm just a very competive person, and i just want to become better and better faster I guess. It's not all about grades for me but I am curious to know if anyone who started at my age level is climbing 13 or 14s?
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monkeyarm
Dec 4, 2002, 6:48 AM
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If it hasn't happened yet be the first, but try not to concern yourself with grades its more about the climb and the experience then it is a numbers game, i would rather watch and am more envious of a 5.10 climber with enough style to fill a room then someone who powers through a 5.13 in an ugly choppy manner. Not everyone has the genetics to climb 5.13 or 5.14 but style can be developed by anyone regardless of age
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climbingallday
Dec 4, 2002, 6:56 AM
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Climbing is much more than a number. I know folks who have started later than 26 and climb 5.11. That is an amazing number to hit. I also know folks who can barely make a 5.9 and love the rock so much it doesn't matter. They could climb 5.8 forever and love it.
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thomasribiere
Dec 4, 2002, 11:33 AM
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I started at 24. Never top rope over 5.11c/d but I know one day I will reach 5.13 top rope and 5.11 (let's stay modest) leading.
I know because I love climbing. But I'm now 31 and it will take time.
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jdean
Dec 4, 2002, 1:09 PM
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Hey Indy, I started in July of last year when I was 26 and I just onsighted my first 5.12 a couple of weeks ago. Just train like you would for any other sport and don't set limitations on yourself. My goal for this coming year is to go deep into the 12's and hopefully start projecting a 13! Lofty expectaions?...yes. Achievable?...I think so.
M@
[ This Message was edited by: jdean on 2002-12-04 05:15 ]
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jerrygarcia
Dec 4, 2002, 1:30 PM
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Are you really in it to be as good as everyone else? Ive been climbing since 92' and im an extremley happy outdoor only Trad 5.9 climber. Dont do it to impress others, do it to make yourself happy. Achieve your own goals.
JerryGarcia
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traddaddy
Dec 4, 2002, 1:46 PM
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Don't worry about everybody else, just go climb!
Just don't look at the 85 lbs. 14 year olds campusing up the 5.11's.....CRAZY!
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robbovius
Dec 4, 2002, 2:22 PM
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dude, 26 is so totally NOT old I just recently started climbing regularly at 47, and yeah, I've seen some folks at the gym doing stuff I can't even consider at this point, but I was having a screaming blast, and was thrilled to make it up some routes last weekend that had kicked my ass only 2 weeks ago...
Climbing is one of those great activities that you can totally internalize and enjoy completely regardless of ability...
[ This Message was edited by: robbovius on 2002-12-04 06:24 ]
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mwbtle
Dec 4, 2002, 2:41 PM
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I agree with everyone else, it doesn't matter when you start, just that you did. And as long as you learn something whenever you go out, you shouldn't worry if you are climbing 5.13s or 5.8s. I personally just try to do better than myself, because I know I'm never going to be a guru.
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leaverbiner
Dec 4, 2002, 2:48 PM
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Indy - I agree with much of the sentiments here, climb for the joy of the experience . . . but I too am a very competitive person so part of my enjoyment is seeing progress, both mental and physical. So, I too greatly enjoy pushing myself as far as possible and therefore pushing through the grades. If it is any sort of inspiration etc . . . I started climbing when I was 26, just out of law school . . . now, 3 years later I have lead 13a, and bouldered v7/8 . . . Best of luck, and remember . . .. The Journey IS the Destination.
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ksfrogman
Dec 4, 2002, 2:56 PM
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So many great climbers are MUCH older than that. I wouldn't be getting depressed over your youthful age. Michael Jordan never did.
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gblauer
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Dec 4, 2002, 3:10 PM
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Regrets are a waste of time. Live in the moment and savor the fact that you are climbing now and forever more.
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climbingjunky
Dec 4, 2002, 3:40 PM
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Thanks for all the positive feedback, really appreciate it. I do enjoy climbing very much I just wanted to get an idea of how far I could get. It's just like in hockey i guess, it doesnt matter how young or strong you are, if you are proficient with the mental aspects of the game and are enjoying it, you will excel. I'd like to think nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.
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spiffdog
Dec 4, 2002, 3:51 PM
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If I'm not mistaken, Henry Barber started very late in his twenties and is one of the most accomplished climbers in the northeast from the golden era. Is he climbing 13? I doubt it, he's in his sixties now. But he put up one of the first 5.12's in New England, and made the first free of Butterballs (or fingers, I get them mixed up) in Yosemite.
Personally, I started just before my 27th birthday in the summer of 2001. Between then and now, I've climbed all over the Northeast and taken trips to Yosemite and Mexico. I've on-sighted 5.11 in the Potrero, led 5.9 trad in Tuolumne, and A3 in the Valley.
I'll never climb .13, but I'd rather spread my time and energy across several climbing disciplines than focus on just one. If I were to spend all my time trying to climb .13, I'd never get more than a hundred feet off the ground, and I just can't climb without the altitude.
-Spiffdog
--living for the potrero, 1/11 - 1/17.
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climbergirl15
Dec 4, 2002, 4:18 PM
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I started out at 14, and am 18. I don't really know anyone that is my age that climbs. I see little kids like 5 and 6 at the gym, and they boulder like crazy. They seem fearless I wish I was like that.
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alwaysforward
Dec 4, 2002, 4:23 PM
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i thought i heard that guys reach their fitness peak around the age of 27. is that true?
on a side note, i read an interview with reinold messner, and he was talking about ages
something like 0-30 is for rockclimbing, and 30-45 is mountains, and then desert crossings... something like that - anyone know what i'm talking about?
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cloudbreak
Dec 4, 2002, 4:41 PM
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Who cares about age. Life's unpredictably short. Live.......climb!!!!
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i.karen
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Dec 4, 2002, 4:49 PM
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rrradam started climbing at 34!!! When he starts grunting and groaning on a climb, I yell up "Come On Old Man".
It doesn't matter when you start as long as you just have FUN!!!
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cedk
Dec 4, 2002, 5:03 PM
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Didn't Warren Harding start climbing at 26?
So did I and I'm having fun.
Jesus didn't start preaching 'til he was 30.
It's not how much time you've got left its what you do with it.
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holmeslovesguinness
Dec 4, 2002, 5:05 PM
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A positive mental attitude is a pretty big factor in climbing too. I started climbing when I was about 23 (and was in really great shape), climbed for a few years, then for various reasons didn't climb again till this year. I'm climbing harder now at 33 than I was at 23. I feel a lot more confident in myself. Being in Colorado and climbing all the time helps too
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rrrADAM
Dec 4, 2002, 5:10 PM
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I thought I started to late (33) to really enjoy doing harder routes, until I saw a 56 year old cranking out .12's and is more ripped than any athlete I've ever seen.
In 3 years of climbing (now 36) I can onsight 1/2 the .11c Sport Climbs I try, and solid .10b/c Trad. Have lead 3 Sport .12's, but no Red Points yet.
I need to boulder more, as it's great for power and technique, but my best sens is only 1 V5.
Just keep at it man... It's all climbing brutha !!! I will tie into the sharp end just as quickly as I will TR in a gym. As long as you are climbing outside your comfort level, you will improve.
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rocks4jules
Dec 4, 2002, 5:20 PM
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I'm sorry, but your question is rather funny. I am 39 years old and I just started climbing this year. When has 26 years old been "old?" Geese - you must think people nearing 40 have one foot in the grave, huh? I recommend that you not think of age, and entertain activities if you enjoy them (i.e. climbing). Have fun.
Smiles
Jules
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