Climbing Mountains at Age 85

[Eagle43]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/sports/othersports/16beckey.html?th&emc=th

I have virtually no interest in mountain climbing, and have never heard of Fred Beckey. I post this because of his age. 85. Apparently he climbed his first mountain in 1936, 7 years before I was born. Amazing. When I’m his age, I might be able to drive up a mountain. Maybe.

Here's a couple of photos of him climbing at age 81.
Fred Beckey - The Living Legend

 

[REWahoo]

Along the same theme, this guy is only 63 but he's run 105 marathons - this year.

Larry Macon: The 'Marathon Maniac'

Macon... is a member of the 50 States Marathon Club. But unlike most of that group's members, he has run at least one marathon in all 50 states in a single year — four times.

 

[Nords]

I post this because of his age. 85.

I wonder whether his fellow climbers prefer to be roped in above him or below him...

 

[Caroline]

I climbed Kilimanjaro a few years back -- it nearly killed me.

Met an 82-year-old at the summit who said the trip was easy. "Just put one foot in front of the other, and fall forward."

If I'd had the energy, I would have killed HIM! ;-)

 

[TromboneAl]

I enjoyed the PBS documentary on the latest Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile marathon). The oldest finisher was a 72 year old woman.

DW and I climbed Mt. Shasta 15 years ago, and I will never, ever try anything like that again.

 

[simple girl]

Wow, that's amazing.

As a physical therapist, I see people at the opposite end of the spectrum - declining functionally.

This guy is really inspirational.