kid friendly climbs at Rumney?

My son is 3.5 years old, around 39-40" height, and is wanting to actually climb some stuff when I try bringing him outside with me. He's been able to do some kiddie-wall bouldering at our gym, so he's capable of moving up a vertical wall if the holds are good and close together.

What's at Rumney that might actually work for his age and height? Would the 5.3s at Venus Wall be something he could make it a little ways up?

How about using the route guide and search for easy climbs at Rumney?

It's a bit of a hike to get there, but the slabs at Jimmy Cliff are height independent, fun, and have good views ( Clip a Dee Doo Dah (5.3) and Lady and the Tramp (5.4)). While in the area, on the right side of the left alcove there are a number of lower grade climbs (Alcove Crack to Teacher's Pet). I'm sorry I don't know if they have any stopper moves for munchkins.

I can't recall the hold spacing on the Venus Wall routes, but that may be your best place to start. I took a 1st timer there once (an adult though)and Dirtigo and Mowgli were very approachable for her in tennis shoes. I think Ward downgraded Dirtigo to 5.2 in the last guide. It's an outdoor staircase.

Morgan Patterson wrote:How about using the route guide and search for easy climbs at Rumney?

The slabs at Jimmy cliff would be good, but the alcove routes would probably be too hard and reachy for 3.5 years. He might be able to have fun on Dirtigo down at the Venus area. It has lots of jugs and other holds that will be jugs for him. You could also set up a TR on some of the bigger lower angle boulders

Cool thanks, the stuff at Venus wall seemed like an idea but I've never gone into that gully to check them out. Some friends want to work stuff there this weekend so that might be a good idea.

Yah Clip-a-dee is one that I knew would be fine, but that's a hell of a walk up there, and as you point out I'd need people that were pretty dedicated to doing nothing but Jimmy Cliff for a day.

One thing, you will want to keep the 3 1/2 yo tethered at the base of Clippedy, especially with fresh leaf fall. It is a steep slippery slope with cliff (Wameia) close below. Even as an adult it sometimes feels sketchy there in the leaves. Even below Dirtigo you will want to keep a close eye as it is pretty rocky there, but that area would be one of the best places to try with alternatives for all nearby.

Dirtigo, Whimpy Gilman Ridge, Glory Jean's, A Week With Pete, Lady and the Tramp, and Clippity Doo Dah

Ross Ayer wrote:Dirtigo, Whimpy Gilman Ridge, Glory Jean's, A Week With Pete, Lady and the Tramp, and Clippity Doo Dah

okay... Sorry, I just remember it being fun!!

I brought Madison up A Week With Pete when she was 6. I recommend throwing a cam below and to the right of the anchor as a directional.

youtube.com/watch?v=j3aDaxZ…

We also climbed Dirtigo as well. It's fun to top out on the ledge while the waterfall is flowing in the spring but I belayed from below and Maddie was nervous getting lowered down the face from that comfy ledge. With small kids there is also the logistic of them being so light that you end up feeding the rope through the belay device to lower them because they don't weigh enough.

Neat thread. I learned a lot bringing the girls to Rumney as they grew up. Things such as crag approaches, standing zone below the route, how much a route wanders (as Mark mentions) or perhaps how sharp the rock is all might be a factor for how enjoyable the climbing is for someone. I had been considering drafting a small "Dad's guide to Rumney" guidebook a while back but quickly found that dad doesn't have time for that. :( :)