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And So This Is Fifty

Cliffmama — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:58:02 +0000

The strangest thing happened to me a week ago. I turned 50 years old. I don’t know how it could be possible. There’s no way I could be 50. I don’t feel it. I don’t look it. I don’t act like it. I’m sillier than my teenage daughters! So where did the years go? How …

My Daughter’s Marathon Death March in Japan

Cliffmama — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 03:35:17 +0000

My Daughter is a Japanese Boy Scout My 18 year old daughter is in Japan as an exchange student. It has been a life changing experience in so many ways for her. Besides the obvious guts it takes to travel to a foreign country, attend high school there and learn a new language, she also …

Fear and Learning to Lead Climb – My Daughter’s Perspective

Cliffmama — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:09:21 +0000

Experiencing Fear, But Safely… In 2012, my younger daughter expressed the desire to learn to lead climb (trad). She was always a very cautious child, so of course, it surprised and thrilled me. First step was to get her used to following multi-pitch and seeing how to use trad lead climbing gear and how to …

Missing Potrero Chico, Mexico

Cliffmama — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:38:30 +0000

Fond Memories of Potrero Chico, Mexico. Soaring limestone cliffs over 2,000 feet tall. Warm pleasant temperatures in February. A laid-back international climbing community ready to make new friends. Generous and friendly locals happy to see us year after year. Delicious homemade burritors barbacoa at Checo’s place. Stray dogs that follow you to the cliff and …

A Mother’s Plea to Women’s Activewear Clothing Companies

Cliffmama — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:41:34 +0000

Please Make Activewear for Women Climbers Like Me I love those sexy camisole type tank tops that brands like Patagonia, Prana, Stonewear Designs, Athleta, etc.., sell all the time. Beautiful colors and prints. Great way to show off the shoulder and back muscles when climbing. When I look through the catalog, they look fantastic on …

MOM – Job Description

Cliffmama — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:48:06 +0000

This has been circulating around the internet for years, but worth sharing again with all the moms who may not have seen it. POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing …

Family Climbing Tips – Making Climbing Time Family Time

Cliffmama — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:09:26 +0000

How to Make Climbing With Kids Successful and Safe Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you can’t still get out and climb! This Guide to Family Climbing is meant to help climbers with children get out and climb and find other friendly families to climb with and make life much easier. I started bringing …

Restaurants – An Overview

Cliffmama — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:35:06 +0000

Where to Eat (and Drink) Near the Gunks The 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 Paltz, a fun and funky college town, home of the State University of New York (SUNY) at …

Land Stewardship is Like Dating, or How I Fell In Love With the Gunks

Cliffmama — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:56:30 +0000

Gunks Lovers – Romancing the Stone I recall someone at a Mohonk Preserve event mentioning how Gunks climbers evolve over time. In the beginning they try to cheat and get around the ranger so they don’t have to pay for a day pass. Later they understand the need to help pay to maintain the preserve …

Mother climbing with toddler in a backpack sparks controversy

Cliffmama — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:28:57 +0000

Climbing Mom, Menna Pritchard, Climbs With Toddler On Her Back – Big News? This story is all over the news, apparently starting in the UK, now in the US and worldwide. A British climbing mom, Menna Pritchard, posted a picture in her blog of her climbing with her 2 year old toddler in a baby …