There is always a lot of talk about age in coverage of competition climbing, at least here in the US. The phrases “young gun,” veteran,” “youth climber,” “experienced,” etc are tossed about like confetti. Commentators always seem surprised that “kids” are crushing hard and winning comps, but seem equally surprised that older climbers (you know, the ancient ones that are 28 or 29) are still able to “keep up.” So it would seem that there must be a sweet spot. An age where you a no longer a “young gun coming up through the ranks and proving yourself,” but before you are “a veteran who has been around the block, has a few comps under their belt and little gas left in the tank.” Is this sweet spot different for male and female climbers? Weigh in below in this week’s polls: