Comments for cliffmama.com http://cliffmama.com Gunks information & Adventures Rock Climbing With Kids Thu, 17 May 2012 02:35:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Restaurants in Gardiner by Restaurants – An Overview » cliffmama.com http://cliffmama.com/blog/restaurants-gardiner/#comment-94 Restaurants – An Overview » cliffmama.com Thu, 17 May 2012 02:35:09 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=416#comment-94 [...] main climbing areas of the Gunks are in the town of Gardiner, which has a small number of restaurants. Most of the “nightlife” is in the town of New [...] [...] main climbing areas of the Gunks are in the town of Gardiner, which has a small number of restaurants. Most of the “nightlife” is in the town of New [...]

]]> Comment on Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time by Cliffmama http://cliffmama.com/blog/climbing-with-kids-family-climbing/#comment-93 Cliffmama Thu, 17 May 2012 01:57:45 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=939#comment-93 Hi Laura, I think the 2 adults vs. 3 adults really depends on the kids, their ages, and the environment. Certainly in some situations it can work with only 2 adults. However, even when the environment is safe, it can be very stressful to try to climb or belay when the kids start fighting with each other, or screaming about who had some toy first, or when they decide to try climbing up themselves, or throw rocks...or if one of them gets stung by a bee, etc... Too many times I've seen myself or others do the "just one second honey, I have to belay right now...". It's just less stressful if the people climbing and belaying can focus on those tasks and not have to worry. Also, the non-climbing parents don't have to watch the climbers climb. I was thinking more like going for hikes or bike rides, to the swimming hole, doing stuff in town, whatever... as long as it's fair so that the climbing parents give their spouses time off later or swap responsibilities on another day. Canyoneering sounds fun, but you don't really find anyplace to do that here in New York State. :-) Thanks for your comments! Hi Laura,
I think the 2 adults vs. 3 adults really depends on the kids, their ages, and the environment. Certainly in some situations it can work with only 2 adults. However, even when the environment is safe, it can be very stressful to try to climb or belay when the kids start fighting with each other, or screaming about who had some toy first, or when they decide to try climbing up themselves, or throw rocks…or if one of them gets stung by a bee, etc… Too many times I’ve seen myself or others do the “just one second honey, I have to belay right now…”. It’s just less stressful if the people climbing and belaying can focus on those tasks and not have to worry.

Also, the non-climbing parents don’t have to watch the climbers climb. I was thinking more like going for hikes or bike rides, to the swimming hole, doing stuff in town, whatever… as long as it’s fair so that the climbing parents give their spouses time off later or swap responsibilities on another day.

Canyoneering sounds fun, but you don’t really find anyplace to do that here in New York State. :-)

Thanks for your comments!

]]> Comment on Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time by Cliffmama http://cliffmama.com/blog/climbing-with-kids-family-climbing/#comment-92 Cliffmama Thu, 17 May 2012 01:52:05 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=939#comment-92 Kate, I am in the process of writing the history of how the Family climbing group started and how it works. Stay tuned! Kate, I am in the process of writing the history of how the Family climbing group started and how it works. Stay tuned!

]]> Comment on Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time by Kate C http://cliffmama.com/blog/climbing-with-kids-family-climbing/#comment-91 Kate C Wed, 16 May 2012 16:42:47 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=939#comment-91 Great post! I think you covered just about everything there. And you make it all sound so easy! :) I'd really love to hear how you started that group of parents climbing. I'm really fishing for extra people these days, and I'd love to meet more climbing parents. You'd think there would be a lot in Colorado, but that doesn't seem to be helping me. Anyway, any tips on getting that ball rolling would be greatly appreciated. Great post! I think you covered just about everything there. And you make it all sound so easy! :)

I’d really love to hear how you started that group of parents climbing. I’m really fishing for extra people these days, and I’d love to meet more climbing parents. You’d think there would be a lot in Colorado, but that doesn’t seem to be helping me. Anyway, any tips on getting that ball rolling would be greatly appreciated.

]]> Comment on Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time by laura http://cliffmama.com/blog/climbing-with-kids-family-climbing/#comment-90 laura Wed, 16 May 2012 16:29:00 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=939#comment-90 I love reading about the teenage years - we aren't there yet, (see our trip reports from climbing with our now 3 and 5 year olds at http://www.climbwithkids.com) but we are excited to see how our family adventures change in the years to come. Some notes: I disagree with the "Parents with very young children cannot climb and give their kids the attention they need while one is climbing and one is belaying." - we just manage our climbing expectations a bit and only go to crags that are safe for the kids (flat areas with no drop offs, not too congested, no multi-pitch climbing, no standing water nearby etc.). It still provides us with valuable "just us" family time and doesn't require coordination with others. Also, I like the comment about finding a couple with a non climbing parent, but I have to say that I don't have the luxury of knowing any couples where the non climbing parent is willing to "suffer" out at the rock with us and babysit all of the kids. . . it's just not something that many non climbers/climbing spouses are willing to do (atleast not those that I know!). So now that your kids are teenagers - have you taken them canyoneering? Just curious as I think that would be a great adventure for a 15 year old! Thanks for sharing. I love reading about the teenage years – we aren’t there yet, (see our trip reports from climbing with our now 3 and 5 year olds at http://www.climbwithkids.com) but we are excited to see how our family adventures change in the years to come. Some notes: I disagree with the “Parents with very young children cannot climb and give their kids the attention they need while one is climbing and one is belaying.” – we just manage our climbing expectations a bit and only go to crags that are safe for the kids (flat areas with no drop offs, not too congested, no multi-pitch climbing, no standing water nearby etc.). It still provides us with valuable “just us” family time and doesn’t require coordination with others. Also, I like the comment about finding a couple with a non climbing parent, but I have to say that I don’t have the luxury of knowing any couples where the non climbing parent is willing to “suffer” out at the rock with us and babysit all of the kids. . . it’s just not something that many non climbers/climbing spouses are willing to do (atleast not those that I know!).

So now that your kids are teenagers – have you taken them canyoneering? Just curious as I think that would be a great adventure for a 15 year old! Thanks for sharing.

]]> Comment on Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time by Jeff http://cliffmama.com/blog/climbing-with-kids-family-climbing/#comment-89 Jeff Wed, 16 May 2012 15:20:44 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=939#comment-89 I absolutly agree with you.. we have to teach our new generation about the outdoors and outdoor sports. I take my 11 and 7 year old with me rappelling and when I teach rope rescue,they are both avid climbers and love to be victims in the stokes basket. Children need to learn responsibilty and have fun doing it... your blog is great. Jeff I absolutly agree with you.. we have to teach our new generation about the outdoors and outdoor sports. I take my 11 and 7 year old with me rappelling and when I teach rope rescue,they are both avid climbers and love to be victims in the stokes basket.

Children need to learn responsibilty and have fun doing it… your blog is great.

Jeff

]]> Comment on Land Stewardship is Like Dating, or How I Fell In Love With the Gunks by ClimbingBetty http://cliffmama.com/blog/land-stewardship-gunks-love/#comment-88 ClimbingBetty Wed, 16 May 2012 14:38:47 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=903#comment-88 So true, so true. When I first started climbing at the Gunks, I was a poor college student and so often found ways of getting on to the Preserve without paying. At the time, I thought this 'renegade' behavior made me cool and I'll never forget boasting about this to another climber and getting a sound talking to about why I should buy a pass. If for nothing else, that money insures that there is someone with the knowledge around to rescue my butt should an accident occur. I've been a Preserve member every since. :-) So true, so true. When I first started climbing at the Gunks, I was a poor college student and so often found ways of getting on to the Preserve without paying. At the time, I thought this ‘renegade’ behavior made me cool and I’ll never forget boasting about this to another climber and getting a sound talking to about why I should buy a pass. If for nothing else, that money insures that there is someone with the knowledge around to rescue my butt should an accident occur. I’ve been a Preserve member every since. :-)

]]> Comment on Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time by Family activities | Chalet la Forêt in Chamonix http://cliffmama.com/blog/climbing-with-kids-family-climbing/#comment-87 Family activities | Chalet la Forêt in Chamonix Wed, 16 May 2012 13:48:03 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=939#comment-87 [...] The Gaillands (map here) is the perfect place for families to climb — stunning views both from the climbs and around the lake, a pleas­ant café, and bolted routes ranging from 3a to 7b in grade (you can almost walk up a 3a route). Evolu­tion 2 offer courses for children and families, and, most impor­tantly, some great photo oppor­tu­ni­ties with Mont Blanc tower­ing in the background! Here’s a good blog post, aimed at experi­enced climbers with kids but useful for anyone: Climb­ing with kids. [...] [...] The Gaillands (map here) is the perfect place for families to climb — stunning views both from the climbs and around the lake, a pleas­ant café, and bolted routes ranging from 3a to 7b in grade (you can almost walk up a 3a route). Evolu­tion 2 offer courses for children and families, and, most impor­tantly, some great photo oppor­tu­ni­ties with Mont Blanc tower­ing in the background! Here’s a good blog post, aimed at experi­enced climbers with kids but useful for anyone: Climb­ing with kids. [...]

]]> Comment on Restaurants in Rosendale and Tillson by Theresa http://cliffmama.com/blog/restaurants-rosendale-tillson/#comment-40 Theresa Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:01:35 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?p=419#comment-40 If you are looking for greasy eggs, greasy bacon, greasy corned beef hash, greasy home fries and even grease on toast this is the place for you. It's no good food as in Drive-ins, diners and dives. My stomach is still after only a few bites distressed. It is a shame as the Greek (and proud to be) husband and wife team work so hard together and yet produce below average food. If you are looking for greasy eggs, greasy bacon, greasy corned beef hash, greasy home fries and even grease on toast this is the place for you. It’s no good food as in Drive-ins, diners and dives. My stomach is still after only a few bites distressed. It is a shame as the Greek (and proud to be) husband and wife team work so hard together and yet produce below average food.

]]> Comment on About by Norm http://cliffmama.com/about-cliffmama/#comment-36 Norm Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:31:51 +0000 http://cliffmama.com/?page_id=2#comment-36 Hi Cliffmama, I was hoping to find contact information for you here but I seem to be missing it! I would like to use one of your images for my blog but want to make sure it's okay with you first. Could you please e-mail me when you have a chance? Thanks! Norman.Rasmussen@me.com Hi Cliffmama,

I was hoping to find contact information for you here but I seem to be missing it! I would like to use one of your images for my blog but want to make sure it’s okay with you first. Could you please e-mail me when you have a chance? Thanks!

Norman.Rasmussen@me.com

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