re: For old timers, like me, have you stopped climbing extension ladders?

I don't want to but stuff needs to be done.
I just installed gutter guards. Invested in a ladder stabilizer which was a solid choice.

I hate extension ladders, always have, but it's gotten worse as I've gotten older. I also refuse to get on the roof of the house now, last time I about shite my pants.
I'm now having permanent Christmas lights installed on my house in a couple weeks just to ensure I don't have to get back up there or get on an extension ladder.
Keep in mind, these aren't trashy lights hanging year round, these are really nice landscaping lights that are fully controllable. Look them up, you don't know there's lights up there unless you're looking specifically for them.

That said, I have a freaking smoke detector on the highest part of our ceiling that's freaking 20ft high. So once a year I have to get up there to change the battery. I think next year the smoke detector is coming down for good.

I know three people who got wrecked pretty bad, casts and long rehab, from falling off a ladder while just doing household stuff like trimming limbs. I try to stay off them if at all possible.

When younger, I could climb up our board fence and pull myself on the roof, then just jump off when done. Now I would hate to know I had to get up there with a ladder.

Baw, I’m with you and have been for a long time. I was in Manhattan this weekend and they had multiple buildings with external scaffolding going 30,40,50 floors high. Just the thought of that gave me chills.

Why you looking down tho? Never look down.

I’m 44. I climbed up on my in-laws’ roof last week to clear off limbs and the clean the gutters. I had a “I’m too old for this shite” moment when I almost fell off.

I'm 80 and I still climb ladders. Last week I climbed onto the roof and used a leaf blower to clean the roof and gutters.
Like another poster said, sometimes I am dizzy and unsteady, so I don't climb when I'm like that. Normally I have very good balance, but my muscles grow weaker each year.

I fell from a tree stand at 23. a little bruised. Didn’t care me. Got lucky. I used to climb a 30 foot extension. Cleaned my own gutters and would have Christmas lights for the kids. Fell once. 10 or 12 feet, into a bush. I was 46. last time I climbed an extension ladder. 55 now, and can’t do anything more than a small step later. I hire it all out now.

No, but I feel a lot better if someone, even my wife, is holding the bottom and is there to catch me if I fall. Sometimes I'm just crazy and do it by myself but taking all precautions.