Request for photos of chokestones/loose blocks

Hi all weird request. I’m taking my kid climbing outdoors for the first time (first time outdoors) and want to show her examples of blocks to try to avoid pulling on. She’s 7 and it’s not a concept she’ll get from being in a gym. I’m taking her top roping but if she’s high up I still may not know what she’s pulling on.

So if you could help out and post or send some pics that illustrate that type of thing (loose flakes, cracks w a loose block that should be checked, etc) that would be super helpful.

Internet searching hasn’t really helped, I did try. Thank you. 

Arthur W wrote:

Hi all weird request. I’m taking my kid climbing outdoors for the first time (first time outdoors) and want to show her examples of blocks to try to avoid pulling on. She’s 7 and it’s not a concept she’ll get from being in a gym. I’m taking her top roping but if she’s high up I still may not know what she’s pulling on.

So if you could help out and post or send some pics that illustrate that type of thing (loose flakes, cracks w a loose block that should be checked, etc) that would be super helpful.

Internet searching hasn’t really helped, I did try. Thank you. 

just a suggestion: for your kid's first outdoor route pick something that is solid, ie doesn't have anything that will come off and cause problems if she pulls on it.

A little bit impractical for me to rap every single pitch 5.5 and under in the Gunks to check for loose holds.

Also doesn’t help with learning much if my advice is “don’t touch any of the rocks while you rock climb.”  

Arthur W wrote:

A little bit impractical for me to rap every single pitch 5.5 and under in the Gunks to check for loose holds.

Don't check them all, just check a few of the most well trafficked ones and stop when you find a clean one.  Or maybe ask for route recommendations in the local sub-forum.

If your kid isn't old enough to grasp such a key safety concept from talking about it, then your options are to do more work to help them climb safely, or wait for them to get older.

Arthur I think what you're trying to do makes sense in concept.  Did you consider rather than showing photo examples you could walk the base of a wall together while going around yanking on everything she can reach.  While you try and find examples of solid places to pull, loose places to avoid, etc. Maybe grab a small hunk of chalk and demonstrate what's meant by the common chalk "X" ubiquitous to climbers.

Loose blocks in Gunks conglomerate and coarse sandstone will (to a 7 yr old) appear quite different than loose blocks in red rock or granite no?

I think this experiential learning would be more educational than showing photos to a 7 yr old.  But I have minimal exp with this age group.

bryans wrote:

And will a trad route 5.5 and under at a world famous spot like the Gunks really have any loose blocks a 7 year old girl can pull off when countless adults haven't done so? I'm sensing some serious anxiety on your part, perhaps you are not yet comfortable with her climbing real rock? Which is fine. No rush

…exactly this. But yea, nevermind. 

YouTube has a number of helmet cam videos of Gunks routes you could show her.  Might not see too many loose blocks but it might give her a good idea of what to expect there.