[ianv]

"I'll use my cock to pick the lock!" said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
"I'll use my cock to pick the lock!" said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

Barnacle knowledge must have been well known back in the day 

[tomtom]

F*ck me - its a barnacle orgy!

[crimp]

 

I'm going to dare use my first ever off topic. Mollusc pr0n doesn't have much to do with the philosophy of ageing as a climber. Unless an interest in snail shagging is the ultimate fate of old climbers. In which case god help me, i am 46 already! (besides, cephalopod sex is much more interesting)

[Fiend]

Sorry to get back on topic, but I think one way around the "realisation you are not the climber you once were" (in terms of pure difficulty) is to branch out into the vast array of other possible climbing challenges possible - expand your climbing sideways rather than just upwards.

E.g. Barnaclejoy might not have the sustained fitness to keep hammering at Mecca, but he's got his 38,000 page document of Peak new projects to jealously guard and work through. Shark might not have the time to go to The Valley after hammering through Millstone classics, but he's pushing his limits on a semi-local perma-dry boulder problem.

If you're too parental to do bold stuff, try specialising in sport climbing or bouldering. If you're too weak for your previous bouldering highs try becoming a ninja technique guru. If you can't train enough to stay fit, try doing more esoterica exploration. If you're too restricted to get away try focusing on super-hard super-safe trad. Etc etc.

Mark S you could become a Staffs offwidth specialist (your guns could get jammed in well), or have a mission to ground-up all the SAFE E5-7s on Moorland grit, or something...

[Fiend]

OR JUST GIVE UP CLIMBING AND STUDY BARNACLE SEX INSTEAD SEE WHAT I CARE 

[tomtom]

Barnaclejoy

:D

superb.

[mark s]

Mark S you could become a Staffs offwidth specialist (your guns could get jammed in well), or have a mission to ground-up all the SAFE E5-7s on Moorland grit, or something...

i did the crack above baldstones traverse a year or so ago and got good and proper stuck to andi's mirth.took me half an hour to do it.

after a few more climbing dog walks at the roaches,moving on the rock came easier.
i do think you can forget how to climb.
i can imagine boldness will come back with confidence on rock.i always climbed at my best when i got out there and tied on to a rope.
never been on a long trip like jon f mentions and it seems a lot of others do.but i can imagine you feeling like some kind of ghecko when you get home.

[Jim]

but does it matter if you can't climb the grades you used to?

No but being unable to climb something you used to warm up on is somewhat demoralizing

[Bonjoy]

Goose Barnacle


Barnacle Goose

 

[kingholmesy]

OR JUST GIVE UP CLIMBING AND STUDY BARNACLE SEX INSTEAD SEE WHAT I CARE 

Now you're talking.  UKBarnacles.com anyone?

[SA Chris]

So it’s not the bodily aging that is the limiting factor, it’s the inexorable force of domestic gravity which tends to grow with years.

I think this is more the case. People saying well I'm age XX and climbing better than ever; it's not the age thing it's the lack of time / energy / money / freedom that are the restricting factors generally associated with reaching a certain age.

The days when we could jump in the van and go wherever the forecast looks good, climb together any evening of the week, or do a 3 week climbing trip abroad are not really an option any more.

[abarro81]

The days when we could jump in the van and go wherever the forecast looks good, climb together any evening of the week, or do a 3 week climbing trip abroad are not really an option any more.

I've spent the morning wondering whether I should be doing something 'normal' with my life instead of climb, climb, climb.. The horror of reading that sentence made me realise I'm definitely not ready for normal growing up.

[SA Chris]

Well don't do it unless you want to.

[slackline]

but does it matter if you can't climb the grades you used to?

No but being unable to climb something you used to warm up on is somewhat demoralizing

Or it could be used as a motivator to get back to the standard you were when you would warm up on it.

[nodder]

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[Pitcairn]

Interesting thread.  My standard has decreased in the last 3 years due to injury and limited time to climb due to work and I hate it.  In the last 3 years Ive had 4 finger injuries plus a major ankle injury and many niggles.  Takes longer to recover and much much longer to get back into climbing as one just cant give it the same focus as before.  I keep thinking I shouldnt worry about it and just enjoy climbing when I can but this doesnt cut it really.  I still really hope I can get back to where I was 3 years ago but that will require more time and focus on climbing than I have right now.   I used to be baffled by how climbers could just drift away from the sport when in the late 30s and 40s but I can see how it happens.

Anyway, screw that negativity Im going to send some hard shit this year 

[Will Hunt]

The best barnacle is the one having the most fun. Of course.

[SA Chris]

but does it matter if you can't climb the grades you used to?

No but being unable to climb something you used to warm up on is somewhat demoralizing

Or it could be used as a motivator to get back to the standard you were when you would warm up on it.

Or you could just concede that someone else might have a valid viewpoint at odds with yours for once.

[slackline]

Or you could just concede that someone else might have a valid viewpoint at odds with yours for once.

I didn't say it was invalid.

Rather I was suggesting that you could view a situation in a positive light rather than a negative one....

Anyway, screw that negativity Im going to send some hard shit this year 

As for my point of view I don't really have one since I've never been "good" at anything really, I'm quite happy being mediocre as I'm happy challenging myself as much (or more commonly as little) as I like rather than gauging my success against others achievements or my past performance.

[SA Chris]

But, surprise surprise, not everyone is the same as you.

[slackline]

No they're not and thats why these forums exist so that people with different opinions can converse and hear each others points of views. 

[tomtom]

Tsk, listen to you both... and with just shy of 30000 UKB posts between you.....

Now. Back to barnacle sex please

[andy_e]

Or to put it another way, 7.7% of posts on this forum.

[SA Chris]

Given I've been spouting shit here a fair while longer than you two, you haven't really got room to talk.

[andy_e]

Wow, it's nearly your 10 year anniversary!