Oh No, Not Me! - Am I Too Old To Climb My Tower? 

Looking at eighty I've come to understand limitations . There are many that cannot be ignored . T/C/E

Wise decision. Whatever is up there can wait until you or someone else can safely tackle the job. I'm 67 and thank God I can still do most of the things I could do 30 years ago, but there are days when I feel it and have to wait for another day. It's also very important to hydrate at least 30 minutes before exerting yourself. Getting muscle cramps in the air can be very dangerous.

Great video, sir. I am 2 decades younger than you and have no desire to climb anything more than a tree stand. Lol. Gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. Safety first. If not for ourselves do it for your family and friends. I'll stick to wires in trees...

I listened with rapt interest. I'm 71 1/2 and my legs are weaker than before. I don't have a tower, but I need to climb a tall ladder. I can still do it, but I have to decide if enough is enough!

Good Call! Safety First! Your wife and friends depend on you! Surrender to the fact that you are no spring chicken and just hire someone to do it!

I'm 18 in my mind, but my body feels every bit of 58 hard years of work and living!!

When hams get older they need to alter their equipment to compensate for less dexterity and weakness. Most hams die because they don’t use safety gear or they use older garbage climbing gear. When you but the tower up, add a safety climb. Then you have a hands free safety. Always add tie offs and foot pegs on your mast. Add a eyebolt to your mast so you can put a come-a-long to support the mast if you wand to work on the rotor or drop the mast. Do not cold climb. Go up every now and then for practice and work out. Even if half way. I added a lift assist that takes 60 lbs off my legs. I pull it down, clip on and can still go up like a squirrel. Back in the day we rock climbed every weekend. I guess ham towers make me feel like I still have it. Even if I’m cheating at 64.

Good decision. Happened to me 10 years earlier than you. I don't do towers anymore. Tilt-overs for me from now on. But it's a ro-TA-tor.

I don't climb towers. In fact I have a healthy fear of heights. I'm sure glad you chose to come down and live another day. Nothing wrong with not wanting to do it, whether it is due to fear/anxiety or fatigue. It's just one of those jobs that isn't for everybody. I wish some of the people who have died or have become severely injured from a fall would have had the sense to come down from the tower, as I'm sure that many who have died doing it have had some indication that things weren't going well as they went up. Your friend climbed all the way up that tower without securing himself at all until he got up to the top. I'm not sure if that's how you do it too, but if it is then that's all the more reason to stay off of it. Always better to live for another day.

Proved one thing , you are a smart man. I couldn’t do it at 50 years old.

Well said...good job. 73, WD9M

I climbed towers for 35 yrs... Different Class, Structure and Height and on some days it can be harder then others. The Number One Deadly Sin is Climbing Too Fast , it's a Huge No No.. 5 Minutes per every 100 feet Max... not to account for Stopping to check your gear and yourself when needed.. I have climbed several that took two hours to reach our work...I have seen it happen when ascent was too quick... and once it happens you must ascend or your asking for problems. Also... Hydration is Huge...stay well hydrated... Be Careful and take your time.. Enjoy the View and take frequent rest. That is how it still works for me and I am 65 yrs old . Thank You

you mean TOO old?

Doesn't it tip down?

Smart man!

Excellent advice!