Climbing Into Old Age: 7 Senior Climbers Share Their Experience and Advice
"There are kids who are way stronger than me but climbing at the same grades because I have patience. I have strategy." —Lee Sheftel, 71
Age
What It Looks Like To Get Too Old To Climb
At 78, climber, hall-of-fame skier, and former mountain guide Dick Dorworth had to make a difficult decision.
Are Young Climbers Better?
Young athletes predominantly succeed over aged veterans within most strength-to-weight ratio sports. In climbing, how much does age matter?
The Numbers Game—How to Use Your Age to Your Advantage
Can we play to the strengths of our ages? Should we work more on power when we are young and endurance when old? How does our susceptibility to injury change over time and to what extent should we allow it to affect our climbing and training?
A 12- and 52-year-old Team Send Pure Dreaming (5.14d) after 400 Combined Tries
Alfredo Webber bolted the line in 2017, never imagining he would rise to the challenge
Alfredo Webber, Age 52, Free Solos 5.14b
The 52 year old Italian has made history by free soloing one of the most difficult pitches to date.
Chuck Odette, 64, Sends T-Rex (5.14b)
Check out Bennett Slavsky's author page.
Théo Blass Becomes Youngest Person to Climb 5.14b at 10-Years-Old
The French climber sent Souvenirs du pic (8c, 5.14b) in less than 10 sessions. At 10-years-old, he is the youngest person to ever climb the grade.
Peaches Preaches: Lessons for the Ages
Check out James Lucas's author page.
A Strange Partnership: Mark Hudon and Jordan Cannon Send Moonlight Buttress (5.12d)
The unlikely climbing partners have a 39 year difference in age, but the same unwavering drive to climb hard, climb a lot, push, and learn from one another.
Robert Kelman, 87, Becomes Oldest Person to Climb Devils Tower
The tower was his magnum opus
Chuck Odette Climbs 5.14a First Ascent at 61
Check out Ula Chrobak's author page.