Bouldering for Kids and Parents

A multi-pitch ascent changed my life. It was the first multi-pitch climb I had ever done (Peacemaker 5.10a on Sheepshead in Cochise Stronghold) and at the top, I decided I would be a climber for the rest of my life.

But, life has also changed. I have 2 young kids, a job(s), and finding time to maintain climbing as a hobby (let alone as a lifestyle) has become extremely hard. That is, until I took a serious interest in bouldering.

Bouldering has always existed for me as a way to climb without the commitment or partners necessary for roped ascents. It has been part of climbing for me for almost 20 years but has slowly become my main discipline.

I realized early on, as many parents do, that kids have an amazing way of showing you how meaningless your expectations truly are.

We shuttled pack-n-plays to the crag but during those you toddler years but it all seemed too difficult for everyone to have a good time.

I turned to bouldering in the brief moments I had alone to try routes in my rock shoes then jump back into my dad shoes.

Bouldering is also the perfect hybrid that allows for a fun outing and a satisfying climbing effort for both kids and parents. The low commitment and short problems make it easy to turn your attention to kids, climbing and back, a skill every parent knows.

If you are a climber parent and don’t love bouldering yet, you will. They grow up so fast that the ropes and gear will be back soon.