EP 110: “The Verm” Returns — Life Lessons at Age 62, Fun Facts About Birds, and Injury Stories

This is round 2 with John Sherman aka “The Verm”. We sat in the desert near Hueco Tanks and chatted over a few beers. We talked about ‘Wheatiesgate’ and the lost art of heckling, finding and developing areas before the internet, dealing with aging, photographing and studying birds, life lessons, injury stories, and John’s favorite beers.*I recommend listening to my first episode with Verm (EP 108) before this episode.Check out Crimpd!crimpd.comOr download the Crimpd app! (Available for iOS and Android)Check out PhysiVantage!physivantage.com (link includes 15% off coupon)Use code "NUGGET15" at checkout for 15% off your next order!Check out Rhino Skin Solutions!rhinoskinsolutions.comUse code “NUGGET” at checkout for 20% off your next order!We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:Leo Franchi, Michael Roy, David Lahaie, Robert Freehill, Jeremiah Johnson, Scott Donahue, and Eli ConleeBecome a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/the-verm-returnsNuggets:0:06:39 – The Michael Salem catalog0:09:33 – West Texas in the early 80s0:17:02 – ‘Wheatiesgate’ and the lost art of heckling0:27:16 – Patron question from Eli: As bouldering has evolved, what has stayed the same?0:28:39 – Adventureland, and the experience of climbing boulders without names or stars or grades0:34:39 – Finding Ibex, UT, and discovering new areas before Google Earth0:41:40 – Patron question from Brandon: What advice would The Verm give to a new climber?0:48:09 – Aging, prostates, and swollen knuckles0:55:34 – Hangdogging, new-age tactics, and why John feels like Jason Kehl is a kindred spirit0:58:33 – What has surprised John about aging, and how baby birds poop1:02:09 – Cognitive decline, and other scary things that come with age1:06:32 – Taking his foot off the gas, getting out of shape, and calorie counting1:10:29 – Getting an amazing personal trainer, and fixing his elbow issues by fixing his shoulders1:17:52 – Patron question from Brandon: What got you into birding? And what about it got you hooked?1:24:27 – Patron question from Brandon: Has birding taught you any life lessons?1:42:27 – Injury stories and life lessons2:31:29 – Developing bouldering in Ibex, UT2:37:02 – A year in Verm’s life, and tick marks2:44:10 – Return of the harrier, and more bird facts2:52:10 – Favorite books and short stories2:57:59 – Verm’s memoir idea, favorite books, and sports3:07:50 – Climbing with Paul Robinson and Michaela Kiersch3:14:59 – The compression revolution, John Gill, slab dynoing, and the Hoover Maneuver3:23:59 – Patron question from Brandon: Top three beers? (and the De Garre story)3:38:20 – Patron question from Craig: What bird best represents your personality? (and duck penises)3:46:15 – Patron question from Craig: What bird would John Gill be?3:53:04 – The baboon story