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Mount Monadnock > Josh's first scramble!
Josh's first scramble!
Trip Report
Josh's first scramble! 

Page Type: Trip Report

Location: New Hampshire, United States, North America

Date Climbed/Hiked: Nov 30, 1999

Activities: Hiking, Scrambling

 

Page By: tazz

Created/Edited: Jun 13, 2006 / Jun 13, 2006

Object ID: 200154

Hits: 4190 

Page Score: 90.04% - 58 Votes 

Vote: Log in to vote

 

Breaking him in slowly. : )

I know a lot of you folks are against seeing stuff submitted with or about children. This is my take on it. We all had to start somewhere. I believe it is great for kids to learn about climbing ,preserving, respecting, and enjoying mountains at an early age. It is important to pass down our knowledge to our kids. Plus it is great exercise for the body and mind. A hell of a lot better than video games! Hopefully someone will read this TR and submissions by Mr. Patterson and other members. Maybe they will take a chance and get there kids out there too. As long as they are safe and protected it is the best education.

We have taken Josh (2.5 yrs old) hiking and camping since he was 2 months old. He enjoys so much. He also learns great lessons while out in the mountains. He talks about it all the time when at home. We had a chance to climb Mt Monadnock again when we visited NH recently. We figured this would be a great first scramble for Josh.



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Mt Monadnock is the first scramble/hike I did as a teen and many times after. I have not been up it in 7-8 years since we moved. For me it was neat for my son to have this mountain as his first scramble too. Although much younger than my first time.

Josh’s first scramble some would say class 1-2 for us adults. For Josh it is definitely class 2-3. We took him up the white dot route. I was on pins and needles the whole time he was climbing the rock. He would climb a section then sit and say, “I need to figure it out”. Then pick a line and climb his way up and repeat. This took a lot of time but it was rewarding for us to watch him climb and think his way through the rock and ledges. He would ask for help when needed but for the most part he wanted to climb on his own.


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Josh climbed 90% of the rock and ledges and was very unhappy when we decided to put him in the pack (for my peace of mind) for the last very short section with the most exposure. We let him out of the pack just before the summit so he could find the marker and touch it. He was very proud that he was on top and so were we. The highlight was all the little puddles from the recent rains. He had to go to each one and put his hands in the water.

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We decided to put him in the pack for the trip down because he would have to down climb the whole way and I was scared he would fall. He was NOT happy about that at all! He kept saying every time we hit a small flat section, “ I can do this section, it is not dangerous.” (Yes he speaks very well for 2.5 yrs old) We let him try the last section of rock/ledge but he was too clumsy for my comfort and we both had to hold a hand. So back in the pack until the trail improved.

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Monadnock is perfect for little ones because there are cairns for them to find the route and also white dots. Great granite rock slabs to climb around on and quite short. The black flies SUCKED and we don’t miss them a bit! It was a beautiful day for a climb. The summit was not crowded partly because we started out early.

For us as climbers and parents, it is all about educating our future climbers!

Images



Comments

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Viewing: 1-20 of 49 « PREV 1 2 3 NEXT »

MrWasatchvery nice!

Voted 10/10

Great report and pictures! I have a son who turns 3 in a few weeks and I'm taking him out on his first hike shortly afterwards. I hope he has as much fun as yours did!
Posted Jun 13, 2006 9:17 pm

tazzRe: very nice!

Hasn't voted

What a great birthday present for him, he will love it. Thanks for stopping by to read the report.
Posted Jun 13, 2006 11:00 pm

mauri peltoit is the best

Voted 10/10

I have been taking my three kids up this peak for ten years, planning another trip next week. The open rocks are so awesome. I am sure you have inspired Josh with the challenge the fun and the beauty of the mountains. This mountain has enough different trails to keep it new for them for a long time.
Posted Jun 13, 2006 11:23 pm

tazzRe: it is the best

Hasn't voted

I hope we inspire him. My fear is that he will get sick of it by his teens and never go again LOL. Hopefully that won't be the case. Thanks
Posted Jun 14, 2006 4:40 am

AndyAwesome!

Voted 10/10

Great trip report. I'm expecting my first daughter in a month - can't wait to get her out doing stuff like this. It'll be hard to wait 2.5 years ;-)
Posted Jun 14, 2006 12:24 am

tazzRe: Awesome!

Hasn't voted

congratulations! Believe me time flies by she will be 21/2 soon enough. for now stick her in a pack and take a hike with her. Josh has loved hiking since he was 2months old. Trial and error (and a lot of patience hehe) will teach you how far and how long they will take it but they love the fresh air even as infants. Enjoy parenthood and good luck! Thankyou
Posted Jun 14, 2006 4:46 am

Martin CashGreat stuff!

Voted 10/10

Excellent trip report and nice pics!
Posted Jun 14, 2006 1:56 am

tazzRe: Great stuff!

Hasn't voted

Thanks Martin. Now to find some good scrambles in the PNW for him to do hmmmmm.
Posted Jun 14, 2006 4:47 am

mvsRe: Great stuff!

Hasn't voted

Nice report! The Lake Serene Old Trail has some neat well-worn root handholds. He might like the "jungly" environment. Wait until maximum dryness, some day in July or August. :)

Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:33 am

tazzRe: Great stuff!

Hasn't voted

Thanks I will keep that in mind! :)
Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:26 pm

gregorpatschSo Natural

Voted 10/10

It's amazing to watch kids climb and see how natural it is for them. Makes us adults understand why we enjoy it. My son is 2.5 and had his first real "climb" the other day...he must have done 20 laps on this local boulder. It was beautiful to watch...I was so proud. My only concern starting him so young is when he is 18 he will tell me he is not going to college but moving into Camp 4 instead.
Posted Jun 14, 2006 2:08 pm

tazzRe: So Natural

Hasn't voted

Ha! oh boy I never thought of that concern. Thanks!
Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:28 pm

Dave KGo Josh!

Voted 10/10

I loved it! As someone who is hoping to have children in the next few years, I always enjoy reading about children enjoying climbing and the outdoors.
Posted Jun 14, 2006 2:13 pm

tazzRe: Go Josh!

Hasn't voted

Dave, It is such a pleasure to watch your child enjoy the same things you enjoy. And to teach them all about it. Not many parents and kids enjoy the same activities. What we all do in the mountains is like a candy store for a kid as long as you start early and don't force it IMO. It is special time to spend together doing a healthy activity that doesnt cost an arm and a leg like Disney World or the like. Good luck with your plans for kids! Thanks
Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:34 pm

MountaingirlBClove it!

Voted 10/10

Put me down for 'thrilled to see tr's with kids in them.'

If we don't get our kids into this stuff who will care about protecting these places we love so much in the future? It's a hell of a lot of work (both physically and mentally) getting kids on the trail but well worth it. Your son looks like a natural... keep it up and one day he'll be able to carry the rope!
Posted Jun 14, 2006 2:21 pm

tazzRe: love it!

Hasn't voted

Oh boy is it work! everything take twice as long or longer but the rewards far outweigh the challenges(so far hehe.) he is a natural and oh yes that is the plan for the rope! LOL Thanks
Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:40 pm

fo$lrock:)

Hasn't voted

Yeah, I like stories like this one. It's great to teach kids at a young age about the wonders and enchanment of nature, especially in a video game, and media saturated world. The more kids that get into this sort of rhythm now, will secure some faith in a stronger future.
Posted Jun 14, 2006 2:32 pm

tazzRe: :)

Hasn't voted

I agree! thanks
Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:40 pm

Mark DoironGreat Start!

Voted 10/10

I got my son started into hiking early on, and he found climbing (roped climbing, that is) on his own. Now, at 16, he hikes my tail off, always complaining, "What, you need another stop, Dad?". :-)
Posted Jun 14, 2006 3:17 pm

tazzRe: Great Start!

Hasn't voted

LOL I hope Josh will continue as yours is! Thanks
Posted Jun 14, 2006 5:41 pm

Viewing: 1-20 of 49 « PREV 1 2 3 NEXT »


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