When is it time to call it quits?

[Shadowscape]

Got a call this morning of a U.S. Forest Circus tree down on a township road. The U.S. Forest Circus doesn't care, and they go out of their way to tell you they don't care about trees down or trees that are hazardous to vehicular traffic unless it is on a Forest Service road.
So I grabbed a pair of Tango boots I bought this last fall and only had worn one time. I remember they were stiff as hell and I needed to break them in before summer rolled around, so I thought this might be a good job to wear them where I wasn't going to be climbing.
While putting them on I noticed this. Chainsaw cuts on the inside of my left boot. Damn! I didn't know that even happened when I wore them the one time. How and why will remain a mystery, but it scares me that it happened, and I didn't know it happened. Wouldn't be so bad if I knew I ran the saw into my boot, have done that many times over the years, but when you don't have a clue that you did... Or, I did know it but now I don't remember... Maybe it is time to call it quits.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

How old are you?

 

[Shadowscape]

How old are you?

70

 

[GregManning]

Boot Chain Bite from ~ 1980 (43 years ago); Have NOT done that Again ! ! !
I too didn't know I did it while bucking logs. Not Steel Toes !
Filled w/ silicone caulk to seal wound.

(Obviously, still have the boots; Italian “Fabiano boots”; VERY, very nice hiking boot – don’t know it they are still available in USA)

 

[Shadowscape]

@GregManning
I've nicked a few pair over the years bucking with my boot too close to where I was cutting, but I've always been aware that I did it. What scares me is, maybe I was aware, but over four months I have forgotten. Don't know which is worse.
I have a pair of hiking boots that are about the same age as those. Leather is still holding up well, but the soles are about shot. Probably should have them re-soled as I love them and don't see anything out there that compares.
Thank for sharing your mishap. Makes me feel a bit better that I am not the only one who does such things.

 

[Shadowscape]

LOL
I'm guessing by the lack of reply from @Mick Dempsey that I should chalk one up in the YES column as to whether I should hang it up or not. But I'll wait, he may have just gone to bed. It has to be 6 or 7 hours later on that side of the pond.

 

[GregManning]

@Shadowscape
Be careful what you want to retire from. I was never a professional climber; just a rec climber.
I stopped climbing after a stroke that took my balance & some peripheral vision.
But I still drop, buck, split & mainly heat the NE Ohio house w/ wood.

P.S. I’m 74.

 

[moss]

That strikes me as more of a wake up call than a hang it up call. More focus, less running saws near your feet.
-AJ

 

[GregManning]

@GregManning
I've nicked a few pair over the years bucking with my boot too close to where I was cutting, but I've always been aware that I did it. What scares me is, maybe I was aware, but over four months I have forgotten. Don't know which is worse.
I have a pair of hiking boots that are about the same age as those. Leather is still holding up well, but the soles are about shot. Probably should have them re-soled as I love them and don't see anything out there that compares.
Thank for sharing your mishap. Makes me feel a bit better that I am not the only one who does such things.

Boot Repair:

I am not familiar w/ your boot. I assume that it is not just a clued-on sole.

Contact Peter Limmer:
Peter Limmer and Sons, Inc.
9 Limmer Lane (Rt 16 A)P.O. Box 88 (US Mail)
Intervale N.H., 03845

They make custom made boots (18 mo. Delivery); sell ready-made boots (Austria, Germany, etc); and do repairs.
I bought a pair of ready-made, w/ a few custom modifications. Their attention to detail was exceptional !

http://limmercustomboot.com

Phone: (603)-356-5378

 

[Steve Connally]

I tend to agree with Moss. I retired from the Fire Department after 25 years. I was also a Paramedic for 30. Lately I have been struggling with the loss of that career and the fact I spent 30 years of my life involved with that career. It's like a divorce or a death of a loved one. It makes me very sad when I think about it. Going from climbing for 25 years to just operating a crane is another career change that makes me pontificate who I am and how I define myself. I'm sitting home 10 days post total hip replacement kicking the shit out of myself mentally every waking minute and really not being able to sleep. If this is what total retirement is like I'd rather work till I'm dead or just get shot at the local 711. I don't think that boot is the nail in the career of your coffin. I would venture to guess you've done way more stupid stuff in your 70 years in that body than you even remember! Kudos for surviving it thus far.

 

[Shadowscape]

I tend to agree with Moss. I retired from the Fire Department after 25 years. I was also a Paramedic for 30. Lately I have been struggling with the loss of that career and the fact I spent 30 years of my life involved with that career. It's like a divorce or a death of a loved one. It makes me very sad when I think about it. Going from climbing for 25 years to just operating a crane is another career change that makes me pontificate who I am and how I define myself. I'm sitting home 10 days post total hip replacement kicking the shit out of myself mentally every waking minute and really not being able to sleep. If this is what total retirement is like I'd rather work till I'm dead or just get shot at the local 711. I don't think that boot is the nail in the career of your coffin. I would venture to guess you've done way more stupid stuff in your 70 years in that body than you even remember! Kudos for surviving it thus far.

Way more stupid stuff!

 

[Muggs]

Your boot didn't even feel that, 'tis but a flesh wound. We've all nicked our boot at one time or another. It was probably spinning down, not under throttle. It happens. Take a lot more than that to sideline an old salty dog. If making dumb little mistakes is a sign that one should hang up their boots, then myself and probably many of us should have gotten out of this a long time ago...

 

[Shadowscape]

Your boot didn't even feel that, 'tis but a flesh wound. We've all nicked our boot at one time or another. It was probably spinning down, not under throttle. It happens. Take a lot more than that to sideline an old salty dog. If making dumb little mistakes is a sign that one should hang up their boots, then myself and probably many of us should have gotten out of this a long time ago...

It's not the nicking of the boot, done that many times, it's the not knowing or not remembering part that worries me.
I will try and let it slide, but it gives me something to think about. As much as I want to pretend I'm still 35, I know I am not.

 

[rico]

I'm sitting home 10 days post total hip replacement kicking the shit out of myself mentally every waking minute and really not being able to sleep.

Here's to a speedy recovery, Steve. Throw the pain meds in the fucking garbage, start PT as soon as you are able, and make it your #1 priority, and you will be back in fighting shape in no time.

 

[oldoakman]

Shadow, I understand your concern. I am not that far behind you in trips around the sun. So far it is little hiccups in memory but it is still disconcerting to me. I have said before though that the last tree I climb will be the day before I die.

Steve, hopes for a fast recovery. A good friend of mine has been climbing on a replaced hip for several years and is due for his Seco d here in May. He wants to come to geezers next year.

 

[Serf Life]

I'm sitting home 10 days post total hip replacement kicking the shit out of myself mentally every waking minute and really not being able to sleep.

Hope you turn the corner soon Steve. I bet you already know what will help and what won’t, but can always reach out to your peeps.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

70

Ok, thats a good age, but I will echo what Muggs said.

Don’t let a nothing incident like this affect you.

 

[Steve Connally]

Thanks fellas. Don’t wanna hijack the thread. No narcotics so far and am progressing but have developed a nasty case of IT Band pain (it’s on fire) and what feels like shin splints from my hip to my toes 24/7 with no relief. I sleep in 30 minute intervals. Supposed to see Dr Wednesday and go back to work Thursday. I’m not optimistic. I do my PT 3 times a day and do it all. That’s progressing. Not quite self sufficient with shoes and socks yet. Supposed to band eagles in may. Idk if that’s gonna happen. Things are a bit fooked now with not working/Palfinger trip/crane school/eagles. Lost month for March and I’ll have a second month in the red for April. It’LL work out but at the present moment it doesn’t really feel like the surgery at this very point in time was worth it. Idk. Feeling very sorry for myself lately. I’ll admit that

 

[Helmstein]

Thanks fellas. Don’t wanna hijack the thread. No narcotics so far and am progressing but have developed a nasty case of IT Band pain (it’s on fire) and what feels like shin splints from my hip to my toes 24/7 with no relief. I sleep in 30 minute intervals. Supposed to see Dr Wednesday and go back to work Thursday. I’m not optimistic. I do my PT 3 times a day and do it all. That’s progressing. Not quite self sufficient with shoes and socks yet. Supposed to band eagles in may. Idk if that’s gonna happen. Things are a bit fooked now with not working/Palfinger trip/crane school/eagles. Lost month for March and I’ll have a second month in the red for April. It’LL work out but at the present moment it doesn’t really feel like the surgery at this very point in time was worth it. Idk. Feeling very sorry for myself lately. I’ll admit that

Keep your head up and look forward to many productive months ahead. Remember, it's the journey not the destination that matters!

 

[flyingmosstreen]

Thanks fellas. Don’t wanna hijack the thread. No narcotics so far and am progressing but have developed a nasty case of IT Band pain (it’s on fire) and what feels like shin splints from my hip to my toes 24/7 with no relief. I sleep in 30 minute intervals. Supposed to see Dr Wednesday and go back to work Thursday. I’m not optimistic. I do my PT 3 times a day and do it all. That’s progressing. Not quite self sufficient with shoes and socks yet. Supposed to band eagles in may. Idk if that’s gonna happen. Things are a bit fooked now with not working/Palfinger trip/crane school/eagles. Lost month for March and I’ll have a second month in the red for April. It’LL work out but at the present moment it doesn’t really feel like the surgery at this very point in time was worth it. Idk. Feeling very sorry for myself lately. I’ll admit that

Hang in there Steve.

My smoked ACL/ MCL tear had me feeling that same head space...

I know these are different surgeries but, keep on that PT. See what kind of yoga you might be able to do, modified or otherwise. My yoga instructor says something like "The secret to longevity is flexibility of the spine."

I'll take it.

Cheers to a speedy recovery