Serious Mountaineering

Recreation Sports
21

[quote=“Mother Theresa”] I looked in the mirror last night and realized, “shit, I’m a fat old man.” Definitely time to start a regular exercise routine and cut back on sweets and other such junk. I also realized this morning one great exercise I can do every day at no cost and very little extra time: start walking up and down the 22 floors to my office every day instead of using the elevator. :eh: I’ll try it Monday.
[/quote]

You do realise, of course, that taking up a new adventurous project because you are not as you were when you were younger is basically the epitome of a mid-life crisis.

Mind you, with all the people I’ve met here in their 40s who’ve taken up triathlon or dedicated bicycle training, I think it’s pretty common for a lot of us here in the 'Wan.

22

Yeah, also just looked at some pics from 10 years ago when I too was in the Annapurnas and realized that I would like to go back–both to the place and to the shape I was in back then.

MT, you could hook up with Mucha Man and his hiking crew on some weekends. That would give you some basic conditioning.
Or, perhaps we could cycle up to YMS, hike our bikes across the mountain trails and cycle down. :smiley:

[i]
On a side note, I should get back up to Taipei and do some more rides with you guys soon. Perhaps next weekend–Sunday?[/
i]

23

MT -
I might suggest you start that 5 floors at a time and add 3 floors every week.

Take the elevator to the 17th the first week and walk up.

24

Absolutely. I’m fully aware of that. As I said, this summer I’ll hit the big Five Oh. Strange how the years fly by so fast, suddenly one is fat and creaky, and the youthful energy, fitness, ability to eat anything without getting fat, endless spare time for crazy endeavors and so many other things that one completely took for granted have slipped past and it seems like a countdown to the old folks home. 50’s not really THAT old. It could be just the midway point, but it is at least that – the better half is gone, not to return. So, better do such things while one can. It’s not a crisis; just a wake-up call to get out there and do something big.

As I mentioned above, the idea of climbing Rainier was not mine: my brother suggested it last week. But I had already planned to do something big to celebrate my birthday. I was thinking of training for and on my birthday cycling up highway 14, over Hehuanshan to the coast. But this sounds too good to pass up and provides plenty of incentive to get on the bike too.

So, wookie, yes I’ll see out there in coming weeks/months.

And TC, good idea. I may do that.

25

Just remember that the cream of the world’s big mountain climbers tend to have done their best stuff in their 40s and 50s.
Viesturs: born 1959
Bonington: born 1934, didn’t even go fulltime climber until well into his 30s. Still spending huge amounts of time at high altitude.
The list goes on.

26

Yea, there was some famous climber (whose name I can’t recall) in the news in the past half year who, if I recall correctly has lots of first ascents but more recently went out and did some substantial climbing on his 80th birthday.

BUT, didn’t most of the world’s top mountaineers do substantial rock, ice and snow climbing starting at least in their 20’s, gaining technical expertise, experience, wisdom and connections that enabled them to do the really big stuff in their 30s, 40s or 50s?

Edit: here’s the guy: Fred Beckey, age 87, with hundreds of first ascents under his belt and still climbing.
traditionalmountaineering.or … Beckey.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Beckey

Here he is in Alaska in 2005 (abt age 82)

Double Edit:

Check out this awesome video on Fred Beckey here in this NYT article. :notworthy:
nytimes.com/2008/12/16/sport … eckey.html

27

Fabulous - what an awesome opportunity! You are very lucky to have this chance with your brothers.
I am doing the Overland Track in Tasmania next month with my sister (who is 50). Not mountaineering, but a good 6 day hike with a sibling - so lucky! I need to get back into training, and fast.

28

overland goes through some beautiful places, kage: you should really enjoy Mt Ossa and the Walls of Jerusalem.

29

My wife has OKd it, both brothers have confirmed, our date’s getting firm at the end of July, my brother’s speaking with our guide, and I’ve started training. Climbed 5 Star Mtn over the weekend and took a “tea time” break just now to ride down the elevator and climb back up 22 flights of stairs to my office. It only takes 12 minutes but is a surprisingly nice little workout. Will have to do it multiple times daily by June/July. Also should be able to get the wife and daughter out for regular weekend hikes and will have to start bringing a loaded backpack with me. :thumbsup:

30

What happened to the other 2 stars? :wink:

31

Keep up the good work MT. Do you think you’ll be sweaty after climbing all of those stairs at your office? That’s one thing that I’d worry about, but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do since you only have about 4 months to get ready.

32

Oops, you’re right Incubus: 7 stars. :blush:

Scomargo, no problem now. In fact it’s freezing in here so I welcomed the chance to get my blood going and warm up. But I think you’re right: it’ll be sweaty in a month. Oh well, gotta do it.

33

We’re still on schedule. We’re going with my brother’s friend, who is an experienced guide who’s been up Rainier more than a half dozen times. Here’s the plan:

Aug. 5 fly to Seattle and spend the night

Aug. 6 buy food, drive to Paradise (Rainier), rent gear, camp on glacier

Aug. 7 crevasse rescue and glacier travel practice

Aug. 8 head up to Camp Muir; camp

Aug. 9 Summit and return to Paradise, drive to Seattle for dinner and hotel

Aug. 10 Fly home

I’m riding my bike a couple days per week, climbing the stairs at work a couple of days a week, doing regular stretching, and trying to get in a good hike each weekend to prepare. Apparently I need to buy very little gear, as Whittaker Mountaineering, which is right at the mountain, rents everything from boots, crampons, sleeping bag, pack, harness/carabineer, ice axes, helmet and even clothing.

Meanwhile, Rainier is just one of several snow-covered volcanic peaks in the NW U.S.

Mt. Shasta, in northern California is another and it’s in the news now.

[quote]Whiteout, blizzard conditions are preventing rescuers from reaching a California hiker presumed dead near the summit of Mt. Shasta.

His climbing partner was rescued Monday. Both are said to be experienced climbers.

Mountaineers who have climbed Mount Shasta say it is extremely common for wind and weather to quickly hit the slope.

Many climbing experts say Mt. Shasta is typically known as a novice mountain, with many different routes to ascend and descend.

Hayley Ward climbed Mt. Shasta last June, and says months of planning and preparation took place before her group of 10 braved the peak.

“In the industry, Mt. Shasta is a pretty nontechnical climb. And I think that’s where it can be misleading. It’s presented as an easy climb that a lot of people could do. Its not glaciated. You don’t have to rope up, but it’s still a 14,000 foot mountain,”[/quote]

Bummer. One of the two climbers descended alone to get help for his buddy but apparently they never found his friend . . .yet. The first guy must feel like shit, wondering if there REALLY was no way he could’ve helped him down.

Anyway, we’ve got a guide. We’ll be careful. And, we’re going in August. Shouldn’t be a problem. :slight_smile:

34

Let me translate this tricky lawyer spin for all them good folks.

I’m riding my bike a couple days per week = I’m constantly harassing and shouting at my bike.

climbing the stairs = I’m so out of shape I can’t walk up the stairs, and need to crawl up on my hands and knees.

doing regular stretching = switched the slip-on shoes for ones with laces.

trying to get in a good hike each weekend to prepare = thought about walking to the 7-11 rather than riding a scooter there but haven’t actually done so yet.

:slight_smile:
Your expedition sounds great MT. I’m jealous.
Just be careful when you tell your missus about the details of the trip; avoid unlucky place names.

35

MT, you should be a regular at the hiking club.

You see, i have been bicycling and all that recently, so i figured that a sunday hike would be nothing.

It went OK, but stiff as hell afterwards.

36

[quote=“Mr He”]
It went OK, but stiff as hell afterwards.[/quote]
Are we still talking about your blue balls? What in the name of GOD goes ON during these so-called “hikes?” :astonished:

37

try walking up the stairs to your office carrying a thirty pound pack and wearing climbing boots with huge snow balls clumped onto the crampons.

good luck: i think you’re being a bit optimistic booking a return flight home on the 10th. How about the 15th?

38

Might be hard in Taipei, and they might look at me funny, but thanks for the tip I’ll try.

15th??? You mean after they send up a helicopter for us? Actually, I just copied and posted the dates/info our guide provided. Perhaps I might have to alter slightly for international travel, but hopefully not by much as I’ll need to get back to the desk.

YEs, Mr. He, you are 100% correct. I intend to request permission to join all of you one of these weekends.

39

If you do join a hike, I hope our schedules coincide and I can go on that hike too. I’ll let you carry my extra water bottles so you can train better. :wink:
Good luck with your trip. I’m sure you’ll be fine, but it doesn’t hurt to keep training hard just to make sure.

40

[quote=“sandman”][quote=“Mr He”]
It went OK, but stiff as hell afterwards.[/quote]
Are we still talking about your blue balls? What in the name of GOD goes ON during these so-called “hikes?” :astonished:[/quote]

You better join us next time then, don’t forget to carry your boy along.

He can play with my daughter, while I show you my vasectomy scars.

the stiffness was not out of happiness to see Kage, it was more due to a too sedentary lifestyle.