Our home wall overhangs at thirty degrees. After graduating from jugs, the boys wanted a challenge and so asked for me to set a route on twenty millimeter edges. When the route proved too difficult for them to make easy progress, rather than ask me to change it, they asked for a training plan and expressed a desire to learn how to project a route. Eventually, they were able to climb the route on lead. This short movie documents the eight months they spent training and working the route.

We are teaching our kids about climbing, and they love it. They also enjoy snow and ice climbing. While these activities come with a high sense of accomplishment, they also come with higher risks. Sometimes, we like to get out and simply enjoy the views and the company. Hiking helps keep us sane.

Our thought process as we balance safety, enjoyment, and effort to progress our kids towards their rock climbing goals.

After taking the Spring and Summer to figure out the basics during the COVID-19, the family got out for four days of camping in the backcountry wilderness. We did some hiking and some climbing... and remembered that the simple things can and do bring us together.