Do mountain athletes have jobs/normal jobs?

[FireOnTheMountain]

It's the American Dream: grind away at some meaningless job that saps your will, dulls your mind, and enfeebles your body until you're 65, then give the money you've saved to a private equity firm to rent an old person storage unit to live out your decrepitude.

Respectfully, this is some sappy bs man. I mean, I guess you are totally right for the "normal" folk...white picket fence family sort. I don't have a family, work a very healthy amount and still find lots of time to get out to ride my bike and rock climb. Like, a lot of time outside and I seriously get more done than my co-workers who go home and drink beer and watch stupid football all weekend...but now I'm hating.

I regularly work weekends so that I can ditch early on weekdays to go climb especially if there's a good weather window (can slog in the cold and sun-less days anytime). Its all about prioritizing and planning really, aint rocket science. Like many alluded to, close access to cool s**t is pivotal. Going to exotic places is rad and all, but the best adventure should always be right outside your door imo. Preferably with no car needed!

I personally find such a lifestyle to be far more fulfilling rather than pimping yourself on the Insta's 24/7 and having no real meaningful work. But some people are cool with not "getting much done" in their lives which isn't to say I'm curing cancer. Anyways.

[XterraRob]

It's the American Dream: grind away at some meaningless job that saps your will, dulls your mind, and enfeebles your body until you're 65, then give the money you've saved to a private equity firm to rent an old person storage unit to live out your decrepitude.

Respectfully, this is some sappy bs man. I mean, I guess you are totally right for the "normal" folk...white picket fence family sort. I don't have a family, work a very healthy amount and still find lots of time to get out to ride my bike and rock climb. Like, a lot of time outside and I seriously get more done than my co-workers who go home and drink beer and watch stupid football all weekend...but now I'm hating.

I regularly work weekends so that I can ditch early on weekdays to go climb especially if there's a good weather window (can slog in the cold and sun-less days anytime). Its all about prioritizing and planning really, aint rocket science. Like many alluded to, close access to cool s**t is pivotal. Going to exotic places is rad and all, but the best adventure should always be right outside your door imo. Preferably with no car needed!

I personally find such a lifestyle to be far more fulfilling rather than pimping yourself on the Insta's 24/7 and having no real meaningful work. But some people are cool with not "getting much done" in their lives which isn't to say I'm curing cancer. Anyways.

You are a true inspiration for those who want to leave the modern world rat race.

[FireOnTheMountain]

You are a true inspiration for those who want to leave the modern world rat race.

The important thing is it *looks* like I know what I'm talking about haha

[XterraRob]

You are a true inspiration for those who want to leave the modern world rat race.

The important thing is it *looks* like I know what I'm talking about haha

For you, it's an authentic way of life. For the instagrammers, it's just a short term facade for validation.

[mtree]

I see a trend.
You can have a hiking/skiing lifestyle for a price. Its all about choices.

[SkaredShtles]

I see a trend.
You can have a hiking/skiing lifestyle for a price. Its all about choices.

Shocking conclusion, innit?

[FireOnTheMountain]

I see a trend.
You can have a hiking/skiing lifestyle for a price. Its all about choices.

Have you ever heard of the town of Boulder, CO? There are C-R-U-S-H-E-R-S with full time jobs AND families.

It is indeed all about choices and in the end, you have to do what makes you happy, fulfil your commitments, try hard (and efficiently) and be grateful for what ya got

[seano]

Its all about prioritizing and planning really, aint rocket science. Like many alluded to, close access to cool s**t is pivotal. Going to exotic places is rad and all, but the best adventure should always be right outside your door imo. Preferably with no car needed!

100% on the last part! Having lived plenty of places, I've learned that having a good "backyard hill" is much better than having world-class mountains an hour away. It doesn't have to be much: Green Mountain in Boulder, Morrison in... well, Morrison, Atalaya in Santa Fe, etc.

As for exotic locations or longer projects,... yeah, it's a tradeoff. I've chosen a fairly extreme version of that trade, and know that it's not for most people.

[montavonm]

I see a trend.
You can have a hiking/skiing lifestyle for a price. Its all about choices.

Have you ever heard of the town of Boulder, CO? There are C-R-U-S-H-E-R-S with full time jobs AND families.

It is indeed all about choices and in the end, you have to do what makes you happy, fulfil your commitments, try hard (and efficiently) and be grateful for what ya got

It’s ironic that you mention Boulder, I’m from the Midwest but have been considering the move to Colorado at some point. I think I’d prefer to move to Buena Vista, but I work in healthcare and feel like Boulder would be a smarter move.

Off topic, but any recommendations as the general area of Boulder that is a ‘good’ place to go/be? I know the flatirons are southwest, but so is campus, and I’m fast my prime college years (haha). Any ideal neighborhoods of Boulder come to mind for those that are most familiar with the area?

[SkaredShtles]

<snip>
Off topic, but any recommendations as the general area of Boulder that is a ‘good’ place to go/be? I know the flatirons are southwest, but so is campus, and I’m fast my prime college years (haha). Any ideal neighborhoods of Boulder come to mind for those that are most familiar with the area?

How much money you got?

[griddles]

I see a trend.
You can have a hiking/skiing lifestyle for a price. Its all about choices.

Have you ever heard of the town of Boulder, CO? There are C-R-U-S-H-E-R-S with full time jobs AND families.

It is indeed all about choices and in the end, you have to do what makes you happy, fulfil your commitments, try hard (and efficiently) and be grateful for what ya got

It’s ironic that you mention Boulder, I’m from the Midwest but have been considering the move to Colorado at some point. I think I’d prefer to move to Buena Vista, but I work in healthcare and feel like Boulder would be a smarter move.

Off topic, but any recommendations as the general area of Boulder that is a ‘good’ place to go/be? I know the flatirons are southwest, but so is campus, and I’m fast my prime college years (haha). Any ideal neighborhoods of Boulder come to mind for those that are most familiar with the area?

There is a little place I would recommend, it's right outside Boulder it's called Buena Vista.

[pvnisher]

You are a true inspiration for those who want to leave the modern world rat race.

No disagreement.
However, comma, I feel it's important to also realize what a tremendously privileged position it is to be able to even consider leaving the rat race.
We have food in (over) supply. Your house is not in danger of being taken in a war. If you call for police support, armed men will arrive to help you. You can drink water from nearly anywhere with no fear of illness. If you do get sick, you can get treatment.

There's details to complain about, but let's not forget that many of those things come at a cost. Many costs, not borne by you.
Some of those costs, like the affordable goods you use and the digital device you're reading this on, were very likely the result of either child exploration, forced labor, or at the very least, economic and ecological exploitation. The people on the short end of that stick don't have the luxury of a rat race, they literally provide the means through which the rats are able to race.

Just a thought that as we focus on maximizing our enjoyment and recreation, we should also be mindful of those who make it possible, often at the expense of their own.