Kevin RaleighI’ve always loved climbing. Alpine climbing, rock climbing, bouldering – you name it. That is, reading about it, watching people do it, seeing films about it – but I’d never actually done it! And, at age 64, it was way too late to start. Right?
One evening at a dinner party with friends, I was talking to a small group of people who happened to be, you guessed it, climbers. They were talking about their latest climbing conquests and what some of the world’s elite climbers had been accomplishing. Of course, I knew all the names – Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honnold, Chris Sharma to name a few. So they all logically thought that, I too, was part of their tribe.
Echo Cliffs, near Los Angeles, CA
When I told them that I had never climbed and was too old to start, they all vehemently disagreed. Why not? You are fit and, starting in a climbing gym, with an instructor, you would be in a very controlled, and relatively safe, environment. Relatively, because as with any physical activity, there is some risk. But, hey, what is life without SOME risk?
On the way home that evening, my wife, who is obviously braver than I, said, lets try it. She booked a beginners climbing class and, a week later, we were on the wall!
Bouldering in the gym
It’s been almost a year now and, I have to say, it’s been one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Now I’m not just reading or watching movies about climbing – I’m climbing! Not only is climbing fun and a great physical workout, but like one of my other passions, fly fishing, it is enjoyable at every level. From novice to expert, you never stop learning.
I won’t say that I wasn’t afraid those first days on the climbing wall. There was a fear factor that needed to be managed. But fear can, and must, be dealt with. And that too is part of the fun.
One other aspect of the climbing gym experience that I love is the wide range of individuals you encounter there. There are three year olds and there are 70 year olds. Seriously. And all ages in between. Men and women, tall and short, fit and not so fit – there are very few limitations. You just need to be relatively healthy and in decent shape. But that is a constant theme found in all of these articles and something we should all strive for anyway.
So try it, even if you have never thought about trying climbing before. There are now climbing gyms in almost every major city in the world, and many of the smaller towns as well. Take a lesson and enjoy! Re-engage – stay engaged.
Article and photos: Kevin Raleigh
Tips and Info:
https://www.rei.com/outdoorschool/climbing-classes.html
http://www.climbing.com/tag/learn-to-climb/#!
http://expertenough.com/690/rock-climbing
Climb gyms and lessons in LA:
