Climbing for Adults

2 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Any rock climbing parents around?

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    May 19, 2018

    Hi BPN, 

    My wife and I have rock climbed a lot before our son (one year now) was born, but we haven't have the opportunity to climb much since then. We trying to find a convenient way to start again. We think that the best plan would be to join force with another family/couple to organize outings in the mountains somewhere between the Bay Area and the Sierra.

    Anybody here has experience with this or would like to join?

    Thanks for reading:)

    May 19, 2018

    If you're open to indoor climbing, Berkeley Ironworks offers babysitting a few days each week. It's definitely safer than keeping your little one at the bottom of the crag and possibly defenseless against falling rocks. Alternately, bring a third adult outdoors, either a babysitter or another climber who's up for alternating climbing, belaying, and baby watching/protecting.

    Honestly, we didn't take our kid outdoors until he was 7 or 8, and at first only with a 3rd adult present. He's just too spacy and oblivious to his surroundings, any younger than that he would have walked off the cliff without noticing!

    May 23, 2018

    My husband and I have a two year old, with another due in July, and are indoor & outdoor rock climbers. We've done a few outdoor trips with the toddler already with no problems (Lover's Leap, Yosemite Valley), but since we're about to fall down into the newborn abyss, I doubt we'll get out to anything significant this summer. We'd be glad to meet up locally at Ironworks, though to see if we mesh! Also thinking about a mellow trip to the Valley in September or October if the weather holds. Hoping to get at it more starting next spring, too!

    May 30, 2018

  • Climbing harness for pregnancy

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    Jul 26, 2017

    Does anyone know where I could find a climbing harness that will fit me for the next few months, now that my regular one doesn't? I know I could buy one online, but most places don't allow you to return climbing gear - I'm short (5'2") so I want to make sure the harness fits before I spend $100+ on it. I've called a couple local stores, but haven't found anyone that carries them yet.

    Jul 26, 2017

    I'm almost positive the touchstone gyms usually have a rental they'll let you use. My wife used one and I see multiple women using one as well.

    Jul 26, 2017

    REI and Sports Basement carry harnesses.  Keep climbing!

    Jul 26, 2017

    If you are climbing indoors at touchstone gyms they have pregnancy harnesses that you can borrow. That's what I did!

    Jul 26, 2017

    I was looking into this when I was pregnant last year. Berkeley Ironworks has several you can rent on the premises. I'm 5'1' and had to tighten the harness to the tightest setting and almost considered using a larger child's harness. If you find yourself in the same boat, Ironworks might have those too, as does REI.

    Jul 27, 2017

    If you belong to the Touchstone climbing gyms, each gym has one or two available for free for members to use while climbing. Even if you aren't a member, I bet the front desk staff would let you try their harnesses on to see how they fit - they're pretty nice there.

    I'm 5'4" and have had no problem fitting into any of the pregnancy harnesses I've tried - they're very adjustable.

    Jul 27, 2017

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

Outdoor rockclimbing in Bay Area?

Jan 2008

I have a guest coming from the east coast for the holidays who is I think an experienced rock climber. She won't have much time but was hoping to find a place not much more than an hour away to just see what the rock looks like out here and asked me for suggestions. I know NOTHING about rock climbing. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks!!!! Anon

I've seen real rock climbers at the sheer side of Indian Rock in Berkeley. Also Mt. Diablo has rock climbing - Boy Scout Rock, Sentinel Rock, and a fun place for all ages called Rock City. Rebecca

There's a popular place for low-key rock climbing with a view in the Berkeley Hills - Indian Rock Park above the Arlington and Marin. Good for sunset viewing too. Map it on google for specific directions.

A couple favorite local spots are at Mt. Diablo and Castle Rock. However there's this awesome list someone put together that's a big help at the link below. https://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=97427 Have fun!