RRC Archives

Have any of ya'll taken your folks climbing?

On saturday Jill and I took my folks and my aunt 'climbing'. They were up for a weekend visit and wanted to see the Gorge along with where our wedding festivies will be held. So we thought we outta show them what we do most weekends when we go out and climb on some rocks. My mom says to me as we pull off at Tower Rock "I've always wanted to see you climb". WHAT? Where did that come from, my mom has never asked, I always thougth it would freak her out. So at any rate we wander up to Tower (pretty good for my 70 year old parents if I do say so myself) and Jill and I rack up to do a pitch and show them what the whole climbing thing is all about. While I opted not to pitch off and test gear for them, instead demonstrating a proper redpoint, I think they got the general idea of how things work. After that and a brief tour of the Gorge we retired to Miguel's to eat pie and spray a little...ok we didn't spray, but we did hammer down on some tasty pie.
So if any of ya'll folks ever acted interested in your rock climbing exploits offer to take them on an outing, its the most fun I've had in a while at Tower Rock. It was really awesome to share with them something that we spend most of our free time doing and find so special.

Jared's parents were never interested in his climbing so we were really surprised when they suggested they come along to the Gorge during the 2003 Rocktoberfest. It was definitely a lot of fun, the only thing they kind of complained about is how their necks hurt from looking up the entire time! They enjoyed it so much that they decided to come down again for the Muir Valley gathering last month.

Jared was so evil though when he told them that they have to at least dip their hands in chalk to be able to eat at Miguel's since Miguel only allows climbers there. His mom looked funny - sparkling clean from head to toe except for the white chalk on her hands.... evil I say!

I think most parents view their offspring's climbing like masturbation - they know you are doing it - they would just rather not see it.

Oh and the best part of it is when they meet all your friends and make remarks on how incredible it is that our climbing family down at the gorge ranged from toddlers to geezers - and even some furry friends! Then they realize that what we do during the weekends is not really all that silly.

Sandy and I took my mom out to Wall of Denial this summer. She was an awesome sport-- especially considering we got lost quite a few times on the way out there. Even though she didn't climb, she really enjoyed the hike, and even though she freaked out when Sandy whipped on gear, she said it was really nice to watch me do what I love doing. Plus, it was nice to explain all the processes to her. I'd love to get my parents to actually climb sometime... I think my dad would do it, not so sure about my mom... the whole fear of heights thing is a pretty big barrier.

On a family Christmas vacation in WVa we stayed at the 4U and my brother & I climbed Gunsight to South Peak in mountaineering attire. My Mom was of the type that it was OK to climb but she didn't want to hear about it or see it. Mom stayed in the car at the visitors center parking lot. Dad on the other hand hiked all the way up to Luncheon Ledge with us. By the time my brother & I were up on the route it had started to snow. What was amazing was that when we got back down to the car our Mom didn't seem to be fazed.

Uh, I am the parent!

While my children are happy that I'm doing what I love to do, they seem to have the same attitude some of your parents have; just do it and don't tell me so I don't have to worry. hee, hee, hee, hee!

My mother, on the other hand, would have loved it because it involves beer at some point!

Sweet thread.............

My dad climbed towers and poles for the electric company.He would have loved to come along.Doing Father and Son together would have been cool. He passed before I started climbing. My girls are only mildly interested.

I guess I am lucky. My dad has always been my main climbing partner until I moved away. We did get to go to Moore's Wall a few days ago to do some multi-pitch.

My parents are climbers. I was very lucky to be brought up knowing what I have taken the time to learn from them.