A group of seniors in Rutland, Vermont, has turned indoor rock climbing into a three-day-a-week habit. They call themselves the Flailing Fossils, and they range in age from 70 to 77. Members include Denise Coriell, Pat Hunter, Candy Jones, Allon Wildgust, and Larry Walter, and they climb at the Green Mountain Climbing Center.
Several members had to get past real fear to keep going. One describes reaching the middle of a wall, looking down, and freezing. Allon Wildgust, 77, failed a route four times before finally completing his highest climb ever. Others say the experience made them wonder what else they’d been avoiding out of fear of failing.
The group says camaraderie and a full-body workout are what keep them coming back. For Suncoast listeners, the takeaway is simple: the hobby matters less than the people and the habit. Whether it’s a climbing gym, a pickleball court, or a walking group on the Legacy Trail, there’s likely a spot near you with room for one more. What’s the one activity you’ve been putting off trying?
