The other odd one is when athletes (or doctors) who are in peak physical condition drop dead. Then you see some fat slob living to be 80.
Those are the exceptions, not the rule. Old climbers I know that don't die from other causes (falling, falling rocks, falling ice, avalanches) are incredibly active and healthy people right into their 80's. Many "older" climbers, men and women in their 60's are much more capable than most people in their 30's. It's very difficult to stay with the game unless you keep very fit, eat right, and really take care of yourself.
At 43, I'm one of the youngest in my group of climbing partners. We often hook up with first time climbers that would like to come and try it. I'm discouraged at the lack of fitness in the general population. We'll be joined by a couple of 25-or-so year olds and they can't even dream of keeping up with a group of old-timers ranging from 43 to 62.
My father in law has some friends about his age (early 70's) that are terribly inactive, overweight, and suffer from a long list of problems. Yes, they're alive, but mostly thanks to modern medicine, not their lifestyles. And what is their quality of life? One flight of stairs just about kills them. It's not unlike being a paraplegic, but you didn't smash your spine.
Some people, of course, have something else wrong with them that leads them to an early grave. A marathoner drops dead, and suddenly everyone feels justified in not bothering to get fit, as someone that was died young. Cripes.
