RRC Archives

as sprag said, hugh and i have been bringing our daughter (amelia) to the cliff w/ us since she was about 8 weeks old. we've gone through phases of bringing the pack-n-play, the car seat, etc. - and now, at age 2 and a half, she LOVES to go to the cliff. we choose our destinations wisely and usually bring a bouldering pad for her to nap on. We bring loads of toys, and usually have a great time. i think that the sooner you get them out there, the more they'll enjoy it - too, having GOOD partners is a must - we climb with great folks whom amelia adores. i know that some folks don't think kids belong at the crag, but if you're a good, observant parent, it doesn't have to make other folks feel like they've got to look out for your child's safety. We don't ask people to change their habits at the cliff when we show up w/ Amelia (i.e. the screaming of f----- when peeling off of a route...) and they don't ask us to change ours... we've been out to the crag w/ amelia and all of maine's kids too! talk about a party. there are more and more climbing moms and dads - and we're going to keep seeing kids at the crag. when we were in germany, most of the climbers were families w/ kids of all ages - it was great!

heck yeah, my kids have been climbing since they were 3, and going to the crags since they were newborns. My 9 year old daughter is one of my regular climbing partners, and we love hooking up with other climbing parents so the kids have playmates. They tire of "just" climbing and it's nice to let them run around in the woods and explore. The Bronaughs taught me their family signal for rounding up the troops - a unique animal-like sound that carries well through the woods. One day when we were climbing at the Arena and gun-shots rang out, Johnny made the call and Jesse and Rowan came back immediately. Having freedom is important when they get old enough, but have some type of signal worked out.

I met a family this Fall that was on an extended road trip with an infant. They had a good system worked out, but they did one thing that in retrospect concerns me. They had the baby in a portable play pen directly under the climbs. While it was nice to have her close to mom or dad while belaying, she was at risk of being clobbered with rock fall. Especially since this was at the Great Wall and the routes were still loose in places. Just be careful, and enjoy!

Maine, the girls are really growing and you all look WONDERFUL!!

Thanks for looking at my girls! I am horribly proud of them to the point of being obnoxious!

I've been climbing several times with an infant (not mine as I'm too ugly and repulsive for women to have sex with) and I loved it. Of course I love children and animals and I can see how some might get annoyed but y'know what I say? Well, it's not suitable for children but let's just say it involves doing something to those people with something that sounds too big for doing it.

I was the photographer for this:



...and yes, he was watching his momma climb.

VERY CUTE picx!!!!

I must admit I don't quite understand the anti-child feelings at the crag. But I have always loved children.

Yes, they can be annoying at times but I know adults that are far worse!! Maybe we could start a thread discussing some of them!