Getting my dad into climbing

Let me preface this with, I'm not the beginner here. My dad has expressed an interest in climbing a couple times, he always likes to be involved in what his kids are involved in. I'm 23, about to graduate college and climb all the time.

His only reservations about not being able to climb (I think) are that he just had knee surgery a month ago (albeit very minor) and that he's too heavy.

What are some good ways to get him climbing? Take him to the gym and throw him on the party routes? Take him straight outside and put him on easy but real rock? Anyone tips on getting a new, 50 year old climber into the game?

I'm going to force my father up one of the Flatirons if he ever comes to Boulder. My theory is that they are easy, beautiful, and I can lead them without any real sketch sections. I don't think my dad would like to see me gasping for breath as I'm trying to work through some crux above pro...not that I can do that anyways :)

I would always advocate to take most all beginners outside. You are talking about climbing and not pulling plastic!

Sam Stephens wrote:... he always likes to be involved in what his kids are involved in.....Take him to the gym and throw him on the party routes? Take him straight outside and put him on easy but real rock?

First, consider yourself lucky your old man is interested in his kids' activities.

I vote for a combination of both - gym and outdoors. Maybe a time or two at the gym learning the basics of gear and the elementary motions of climbing. Then, go outdoors for the application and payoff!

Keep everything easy and enjoyable!

Good luck.

I was about 33 when I finallly got my dad to try climbing once. He's been gone now for almost 30 years and I sure wish I had the chance to do it again with a little more class than I did back then. Best of luck.

I'd suggest easy approach slab routes outdoors during the work week where being overweight can be minimized and it's a low pressure environment. Start with short single pitch TRs. Make sure to go over all the steps of being lowered before leaving the ground; maybe do a walk through on a very low angle hill with a real anchor so he has the idea that the rope is trustworthy. Use a static TR line so he doesn't drop much if he falls.

Don't say anything is simple. People get more frustrated when they hear that and yet are still having a hard time.

Have a partner to keep an eye on him while he belays you climbing.

Be prepared to be patient.

I know you mentioned he was heavy. My dad has the same problem and is in his mid-upper 60s. I'd love to take him out so he wouldn't worry so much but that's just not likely. Maybe workout with your dad a little bit biking/running/swimming to encourage some weight loss, as well as giving the knee time to heel? It might turn him on to tri-athalons instead!

Being a 41yo dad who climbs with his son, I can most certainly tell you that what he wants most is to spend time and bond with you. Gym or outside, pick either, it don't matter, spending time together, priceless.

Take him outside, the experience will be far more enjoyable.

Richard Fernandez wrote:Being a 41yo dad who climbs with his son, I can most certainly tell you that what he wants most is to spend time and bond with you. Gym or outside, pick either, it don't matter, spending time together, priceless.

As a dad who climbs with his 8 year old daughter - a hearty second!
Hope you guys have a blast.

My son who is 22 introduced me to climbing last year at the age of 51. Day 1 was in the gym to show me how to harness up, tie a knot and rent shoes. I did 2 routes in the gym and learned to fall on top rope and lower. The next day...outside. I was scared to death but after I made it to the top I've been completely hooked. I love the time I spend with my son and the great group of young adults I've the honor of getting to know through climbing.

Got my dad climbing last year.

Day one: Buttermilks, easy one pitch TR routes. Learned how to tie knots, belay, terms.

Day Two: PSOM wall in Pine Creek, Multi pitch. Always kept him in the middle and climbed with three people to check his knots and give friendly advice.

Day three: Mt Conness- 9 pitch climb easy.

Day four: Puppy dog dome.

Day five: Pine creek Friendly faces and Pratts crack (He kept complaining that the climbing was easy) The funny part was that he wanted to climb Pratts crack without a shirt on... I laughed and demanded he wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt.

Richard Fernandez wrote:Being a 41yo dad who climbs with his son, I can most certainly tell you that what he wants most is to spend time and bond with you. Gym or outside, pick either, it don't matter, spending time together, priceless.

absolutely. Some of the most fun i've had with my two kids was climbing with them. Looking forward to lots of that now that they are (almost) grown.

Depending on were you live- Flatirons, Whitehorse in NH, San rafael swell all have awesome easy routes with nice situations.

To throw my two-cents into the mix, I would suggest taking him outside (definitely) for the first time climbing, but imo make sure it's a climb with coverage (meaning trees). I've found in a lot of cases that the exposure of climbing can really freak out newbies - more so than just the fear of falling. It might sound like an odd approach, but for someone like your dad that sounds shy of the idea of climbing in the first place, it would be good to ease him into it, rather than throw everything at him the first day. However, I can't speak from personal experience regarding taking your dad out - my dad had a metal rod put up the top of his spine in his neck, so he really can't look up, to the side, etc. so climbing is not ideal for him.

Have fun!!

If he's that out of shape and heavy, perhaps, some serious hiking to shed some pounds, then some 3rd to 4th class stuff to get him used to being higher than the sidewalk. Get him on some easy cheesy 5.0-5.6 top roping so he can see the mechanics of tying in, less stressful, etc... If he adjusts to that, get him on a route where he has to see how gear is placed and removed, a friend comes in handy here: demonstrations on gear and how it all works. Show him some videos to get him psyched and see what it's about. I give you both kudos on your endeavor. Him for wanting and having an interest in what his kids are into: and you for being mature enough to want him to be a part of your life and what you're into. Way cool!!!!

My two pennies.

Juan

I have some ideas, 1st go over the basics of gear (harnesses, ropes, pro, etc.)what they are used for, how to tie the knots, how to put on a harness, climbing commands, etc. 2nd get him to rappel first (preferably something fairly steep with you belaying him in the process) this builds his trust in the systems and in you. 3rd toprope an easy pitch demonstrating the basics of movement on the rock (using your feet instead of arms, skeleton instead of muscle, etc.) at this step it would help to have a third person to belay you as you demonstrate these techniques. 4th have him toprope the route. And finally teach him how to belay (this step could be put in at step 3 if another person is not available). Most importantly though, as others have said, have fun spending some quality time with your dad!
Hope it helps.
T

My dad is also not in great shape, but was curious about climbing, and I managed to get him to a toprope route with an easy approach, that went at 5.4, I believe. I think if you want someone to enjoy their first time, don't overestimate their ability, and definitely spend some time teaching them footwork. We had a great time, and I think the hardest part for my dad was trusting me enough to let go of the rock and let me lower him when he got to the anchors. I think if I were him and had raised me, though, I would have some trust issues, too ...