Dick Hoyt, 67, and his son Rick, 46, have accomplished more than many of us could imagine. They've climbed mountains, completed 224 triathlons (including six Ironmans), 66 marathons, a 45-day cross-country bike ride, and more. Obviously, that's inspiring in and of itself.

What makes it AMAZING is that Rick is a quadriplegic and cannot walk or talk -- he was born with cerebral palsy, which kept him from ever being able to control his muscles and limbs, including his vocal chords.

Dick started participating in races and endurance events with his son when Rick was just 11, and the duo hasn't taken more than two weeks off since. Dick continues to train and compete because Rick gets so much joy out of it, and it makes him happy to see his son happy.

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The last time I took a long walk on the beach, barefoot, my calves let me know about it the next day, which got me thinking about how great it would be if I could do more walking barefoot. There's something really satisfying about stretching one's toes and feeling the changes in terrain while walking, plus, it obviously works the leg muscles differently than walking in shoes. However, it wouldn't be safe (or hygienic) to walk around the places I go barefoot, so that was the end of that.

Only it wasn't actually the end, because this link for Vibram FiveFingers Footwear (which we've also covered here at That's Fit a time or two) popped into my inbox the other day. You know I love fashionable footwear, and believe me, this isn't it, but it is a unique and cool concept based on barefooting, which they define as:

1. The exhilarating joy of going barefoot without leaving yourself exposed; 2. any activity requiring unconventional footwear offering the protection of a thin, flexible Vibram skin; 3. an intelligent way to deepen your connection with your natural surroundings.

Vibram FiveFingers Footwear: It's funky!(click thumbnails to view gallery)

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If you're planning on climbing Mt. Everest any time soon (and let's face it, I wasn't) you might want to get around to it sooner than later. A recent study found that climbers over the age of 60 are three times as likely to die on the mountain that younger climbers, and are also less likely to reach the top. Climbers are apparently getting older, and experience is important when climbing a mountain, but age means you're less physically fit and more likely to fall. In fact, for older climbers, descending the mountain is the most dangerous part.

Though the study didn't include other mountains, I have to imagine that this hold true no matter what peak you're trying to bag. If you're a climber in your upper decades, good for you! And take extra care while you're out there!

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Upon moving to Bellingham, WA six years ago, I quickly learned that mountain climbers love mountains. Why? I've heard from mountain-climbing friends that the reasons are as varied as the people who do it, and challenge is most certainly on the list. Perhaps most of all, climbers love the beauty of the places where they climb. Little compares with the experience of climbing a technical rock route or traversing an immense glacier to the summit of an impressive peak.

For more than 30 years, international mountain climbing school and guide service American Alpine Institute (AAI) has been taking individuals to just such awe-inspiring terrain. AAI teaches beginners and experts alike the finer points of rock/ice climbing and mountaineering. With AAI, climbers can explore major mountain ranges in six states and 16 countries in a way that most people never experience. Even though we're now in "high season" for climbing, AAI leads climbing trips year-round. Recent expeditions have explored remote and unclimbed peaks near eastern Tibet, Bolivia, Peru and the French Alps.

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