Taking munchkins climbing....

[bazoqop]

Yesterday I took my eight year old twins for their first taste of climbing ( maybe their second I missremember ). I hung a top rope on that tiny slab out at the practice wall in Muir valley.

They really dug it. Three laps apiece and they were hooked.

Mom's and dads out there, what are your experiences? What do you do about shoes, harnesses, etc. Also, anywhere else in the Gorge kid friendly route-wise?

I know kids get lumped in with dogs as far as being nuicances at the crag's, but ya gotta start somewhere. Cut me some slack will ya?

[p0bray01]

Its cool man...I hope that when I have Kidos they will love this sport just as much as I. I dont have children myself but Pistol ridge had some shorter easy routes that they could play on...Danger Mouse and Dont Feed the Triceratops were pretty easy and fun. Lets see eight year olds may be ok on Cavers Route. But you may need a FEW pieces of gear....not much to be had on it...It involves getting a bit dirty..but loads of fun. Good luck!

[Pru]

we started ours off at the age of 3. My experience is that you should have 3 adults when you are climbing with kids. This way, when 2 adults are putting up a route, there is a spare one handy to keep the little ones entertained and also to make sure they don't get hurt, annoying to other climbers, or into trouble. I also think it's very important to put helmets on them when they are climbing as well as when they are hanging around at the base of most trad routes. You also need to teach them good crag manners (no running around at the base of cliffs, no yelling, no littering, NO WHINING when they get bored). Bring non-climbing things to keep them entertained (arts & crafts stuff and cameras are both good, and making little rock gardens is also fun). Take them on periodic hikes throughout the climbing day and teach them about wildlife safety (think snakes) as well as how to shit in the woods in a responsible manner. Finally, bring lots of non sugary snacks and drinks and make sure they consume them.

As far as shoes and harnesses go, mine wore fully body harnesses until about the age of 11--but my kids are pretty small and it made sense. Shoes are pricey. Buy them as hand-me-downs from other climbers or use those cheap water shoes from Target. Some people also have their kids' sneakers re-soled with climbing rubber. Teach your kids how to tie themselves in and unclip gear/draws, but make sure you never let them anywhere near the anchor until they understand and can be relied upon not to touch it.

Most kids have no fear unless they learn it from someone else, so enjoy! Also, keep it fun at all times. If they want to hang and cheat and even swing on the rope, let them (so long as it's safe). If they want to come down, bring them down. Just make sure you don't let them bark, chew on anyone's ropes, or raid their packs.

I wish my daughter was still interested in climbing. She was getting pretty darned good, and would get on stuff way harder than I would.

[ynot]

Never could get either of my girls interested in climbing. I'm still hopeful with the youngest one. My only biggest worry with kids at the crag is snakebite.

[Pru]

my daughter can spot snakes way quicker than any adult. Those young eyes are good for that. The only problem used to be that she wanted to get a little closer than I am comfortable with in order to check them out... thankfully not too close after a visit to the herpetarium, which has those photos of people with snake bite necrosis.

The little brat just told me she'd start coming again if I wouldn't make her wear a helmet (because it messes up her hair).

[bazoqop]

we started ours off at the age of 3. My experience is that you should have 3 adults when you are climbing with kids. This way, when 2 adults are putting up a route, there is a spare one handy to keep the little ones entertained and also to make sure they don't get hurt, annoying to other climbers, or into trouble. I also think it's very important to put helmets on them when they are climbing as well as when they are hanging around at the base of most trad routes. You also need to teach them good crag manners (no running around at the base of cliffs, no yelling, no littering, NO WHINING when they get bored). Bring non-climbing things to keep them entertained (arts & crafts stuff and cameras are both good, and making little rock gardens is also fun). Take them on periodic hikes throughout the climbing day and teach them about wildlife safety (think snakes) as well as how to shit in the woods in a responsible manner. Finally, bring lots of non sugary snacks and drinks and make sure they consume them.

As far as shoes and harnesses go, mine wore fully body harnesses until about the age of 11--but my kids are pretty small and it made sense. Shoes are pricey. Buy them as hand-me-downs from other climbers or use those cheap water shoes from Target. Some people also have their kids' sneakers re-soled with climbing rubber. Teach your kids how to tie themselves in and unclip gear/draws, but make sure you never let them anywhere near the anchor until they understand and can be relied upon not to touch it.

Most kids have no fear unless they learn it from someone else, so enjoy! Also, keep it fun at all times. If they want to hang and cheat and even swing on the rope, let them (so long as it's safe). If they want to come down, bring them down. Just make sure you don't let them bark, chew on anyone's ropes, or raid their packs.

I wish my daughter was still interested in climbing. She was getting pretty darned good, and would get on stuff way harder than I would.

This is all very good, thoughtful advice. I would agree, good manners at the crag are essential.

Maybe I've gotta start a climbing parent's play group. Meetings held at the Red of course...

Cavers Route

That's on my own personal to do list, but isn't it rated R?
PG 13 is far as they go...

[glbrady44]

what Pru said.

[the lurkist]

Left Field has a very easy route for kids.
Too bad Oil Crack is closed. Johnny's routes Scooby Doo and Scooby Snack were really good for an intrepid youngster. Slab 5.9. and tall!
We have been taking our kids out since they were young. I think the benefit our older daughter has had from spending time at the cliff is the adult friends she has made and their nurturing, maturing effect they have had on her. To all of those people, we appreciate your patience and thank you.

[Pru]

bazo, my daughter has done plenty of trad routes (TR, of course). I still wouldn't take her on cavers at this point...

I think the benefit our older daughter has had from spending time at the cliff is the adult friends she has made and their nurturing, maturing effect they have had on her. To all of those people, we appreciate your patience and thank you.

Ditto what he said. To all of you (you know who you are), THANK YOU. My daughter learned so much from you... though she's still in counseling because of her time with JR.

[512OW]

Bruise Brothers has a few good routes for kids. The 9 at Great Arch is a great kid route, as are a few over at Great Wall.

Nothing is R rated on TR, so thats not an issue.

They're everywhere... just look around.