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Charlie, Jim and climbing past 80
Yesterday, 89-year-old Charlie Winger told me he was the oldest person left climbing in the Ouray Ice Park.
I told him he might have to hash that out with Jim Donini, a local alpinist I've interviewed a few times that's still getting after it. Charlie said he has- Jim, now 82, is just a little younger.
Both guys have managed to summit mountains well past the time many give up the pursuit, but there's plenty that makes them different as well.
Jim focuses on what he considers to be the purest form of climbing, and bagging first ascents is always his mission. He wants to grab handholds no one has ever touched and stand on peaks no one's ever summited.
Charlie, who I chatted with as he became the third-oldest person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, has also led a life of adventure. He's climbed thousands of mountains all over the world, including every Colorado 14er and the 200 tallest peaks in the state.
But, one of the coolest things about talking to him is that he believes everything he's done is within the ability of a dedicated athlete who puts their mind to it, with the proper training.
When he talks about planning trips and tips for mountaineers, his advice is about character as much as technique. He doesn't want to take extra risks or put others in danger. He's focused being a good partner to his wife Diane, a fellow mountaineer, and to his climbing partners.
That's not to say Jim isn't; he's got plenty of advice to offer too, and last time we spoke he had plenty to say about choosing good partners and paying it forward.
But, Jim has done things most of us will never come close to attempting. Charlie, on the other hand, is a great example of the life a lot more people can achieve, and his resume is pretty incredible too.
Cheers,
Kylea from the newsroom
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