5.0 topropes for 2½ year old in Yos?

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Spider Savage

Mountain climber

The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles

Sep 10, 2014 - 08:18pm PT

Fun stuff all over. This one up near Tammarack campground was perfect.

phylp

Trad climber

Millbrae, CA

Sep 10, 2014 - 08:24pm PT

Ed and HT, you read my mind - Aunt fannies. Go up about 20 feet, sling any tree , set up a T R and down walk ( it's not even down climbing). As long as she will let you lower her... That's usually the hardest part for beginners.

Coltino

Trad climber

Midpines, CA

Sep 10, 2014 - 08:26pm PT

The hike up to the alcove on El Cap is great. Plenty of boulders along the way. The talus feels like climbing to them and the last part into the alcove feels like climbing too. My 3 year old loves it. Have fun!

k-man

Gym climber

SCruz

Sep 10, 2014 - 10:32pm PT

There's a good Class 4/5.Easy at the Grack, if you want to hike that far. Great scenery and super fun.

If they really take to climbing, the might even be able to do the 5.7 right there, only adults would think it's hard because of the lack of holds, but a toddler might be able to scamper up on all fours ;-)

There's other super low-angle stuff right around there, you could set up a TR and have at it.

Other than that, I can't think of super-easy stuff right off the deck in the valley. A 2 1/2 year old ain't gonna love steep cracks, nor steep face. Unless you want to lower them into the notch of the Rostrum.

clinker

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, California

Sep 11, 2014 - 07:57am PT

Child endangerment builds character. By three kids should he working.

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Sep 11, 2014 - 08:56am PT

I second the Grack. Plenty of stuff for a 2 1/2 year old to scramble around on right at the base. Below the "adult" rope up point.
Then if he's ready for a belay, walk up to the rope up point and belay him up.
Only possible drawback is the rather long approach. But that's why we have kid carriers....eh??

I figured there'd be a few Nattering Nabobs of Negativism (see Sprio Agnew for reference) about the child's age.
No worries as long as you let him/her set the pace.
Kids naturally LOVE to scramble over stuff. Even better when Dad or Mum are along and not interfering.
You really can strike the balance between keeping your kids safe from Real Dangers and encouraging them to safely explore their limits. Adam was scrambling the boulders at our house and Castle Rock before he was 2. With an attentive spotter of course.

You might have them wear their bike helmets (and you wear your climbing helmet) to encourage good habits later.

Oh, and be sure to have a couple of toys in the pack for when they get bored. Snacks for when they get peckish.
The Merced River is really low right now. A cool off picnic in the water might be a good day's end.

Pete_N

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, CA

Sep 23, 2014 - 10:25am PT

I used to place jelly beans on key holds to get my kids to look for features and provide a little additional motivation...

honemasterT

Trad climber

Arizona

Sep 23, 2014 - 11:06am PT

Boulders at the end loop of pper Pines CG

survivalmademedoit

Trad climber

Grantham, New Hampshire

Sep 24, 2014 - 04:06am PT

Why get your poor kid all wrapped up in ratings. If it looks fun, it probably is, if it looks hard, it probably is.................

All sorts of stuff around Camp 4, or go to the base of Glacier Point. Go for an ice cream afterwards.

Enjoy!