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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 14, 2013 - 10:30pm PT
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 14, 2013 - 10:32pm PT
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 14, 2013 - 10:39pm PT
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Plaidman
Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Feb 14, 2013 - 10:55pm PT
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Greg I sent you an article I wrote about taking my son climbing a couple of years ago. It was when he was living with me that we did the big climb. A multi-pitch climb on Beacon Rock. I called the piece "Bringing Up The Boy".
That was when he was 12. Now 5 year later he hasn't lived with me for 4 of those years. A lot has changed. One thing I did was I didn't push the climbing on him much. I always made it available but never made him go.
My daughter has not lived with me since my divorce and I don't get to see her as much as I would like to. I never pushed climbing on her at all. She has been a couple of times.
This next weekend I am taking both of them out hiking. My son has taken a shine to one of my secret climbing spots and wants to go up there again. His sister is wanting to go too. I don't care what we do as long as it is outside. I love sharing with my kids my love of the outdoors and exploring.
They both know I am a nut about climbing and that's all I talk about. I try to tone it down around them, but they know this is my lifestyle and give me a pass and will gently let me know when they have had enough.
I see a lot of potential with my kids as climbers. They have an abundance of energy and are tough as nails. My son is skinny as a rail and went climbing with me recently. I have not given up hope that one of my kids will turn on to the climbing gig. My daughter is 11 and I set up a rope in a tree to teach her how to jug a rope and she just flew up it several times. Maybe she will be a big waller. She certainly has the focus and mental toughness. Little itty bitty thing she is.
My son is going to turn 18 next year. I can't wait to take him on a road trip adventure. I see it big and am dreaming......
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Kalimon
Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
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Feb 14, 2013 - 11:32pm PT
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Hey Greg, it is great to have you involved here! Thanks for your real climbing related posts.
As for the children, I don't think a parent should determine a specific path to follow and then somehow "enforce" it upon their child. We were sure to introduce our daughter to the outdoors from an early age . . . pretty much from in utero . . . Indian Creek even! She started skiing at 4 and was a very good hiker until the age of 10 or so. Then she went her own way with softball, basketball and eventually volleyball. We worked with and supported her in whatever she chose. At 18 now, I would have to pay her to go for an actual hike . . . no big deal, she is her own excellent person. I think you are intuitively on the same path of acceptance with your son. I have talked with my friends who coach young skiers in Telluride and many of theses kids are burned out on the sport at ages of 12-14 due to being pushed by their parents.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Feb 15, 2013 - 12:03am PT
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Love the pictures of your kids all, thanks.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 15, 2013 - 01:02am PT
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Shed the mantle, Von....shed the mantle.....
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 15, 2013 - 01:06am PT
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Find your own path.....be unique;...be an individual.......check.......
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 15, 2013 - 01:08am PT
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Apple don't fall far from the tree...(check out that sparkle in his eye;....).....
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 15, 2013 - 01:11am PT
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Feb 15, 2013 - 08:00am PT
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Bob was always a good helper:
Now he's my rope gun:
Eric the youngest, now my ski buddy from Bozeman:
Enjoy it all, every day, every minute!
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 15, 2013 - 11:15am PT
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Feb 15, 2013 - 11:40am PT
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Fine looking bunch of kids there Todd good work!!!
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2013 - 12:16pm PT
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Wow, this is really turning into a fun thread. I'm loving all the outdoor pics of us out with our kids.
@Charlie D: that is bitchin'. A colossal success. You look like you're having SO much fun.
@TG: good to know that fun is getting payed forward in the desert.
@Kali: Who are you? Are you the person who once found a message-board bomb in Refugio Frey? (Greatest practical joke I've ever played.)
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2013 - 12:19pm PT
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@ Plaidman: I remember the story. Excellent that you're still getting 'em outside. :-)
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Brock Wagstaff
Trad climber
Larkspur
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Feb 15, 2013 - 08:51pm PT
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Great thread Greg! I took both my kids climbing at an early age, but never pushed them. Many years later both of them love the mountains. My son never took to climbing, but my daughter still does it occasionally. Pics are from last summer when we did Moon Goddess together. Best part of that was spending time in the back country with my daughter and getting a chance to catch up on her busy life. I try to do at least one mountain trip a year with each of my kids.
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2013 - 09:22pm PT
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@Brock! What a great pic of you and your daughter in front of the crag!
Way to make it happen.
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Feb 15, 2013 - 10:13pm PT
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great topic and pics
no kids myself but like seeing kids out climbing
my niece is 8 and loves climbing at the gym
but, this thread can morph into a SUPERMOUSE thread at any time :)
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Feb 15, 2013 - 11:02pm PT
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