Do Babies Belong at the Crag?
I was going to write this nice post about our climbing outing to North Table Mountain in Golden last weekend. It was going to have all these lovely pictures of us smiling in the sun, playing in G’s little blue tent, and plum bushes in bloom. Weeks came out and climbed with us, even though he has two torn MCLs, and we did a run-out 5.7, a fun trad-sport mixed 5.8 and beautiful little 5.9- face climb. Really, a nice day.
North Table Mountain and plum bushes in bloom
But, I’ve been reading all week long about Peter Beal’s challenges to the climbing media community to examine the place of our sport in the world and our impacts on the environment as we practice it. Here’s one interesting quote:
The issue is never just how many believers but what kind of believers they are or what they will actually practice. And to make the analogy with climbing a bit closer, how many Christians can we fit in a given physical church? Because like it or not, climbing is not all in the mind or soul; it is a practice that happens in a finite physical world, that draws upon resources that are fragile and not easily restored. We can’t keep building new cathedrals or Cathedral Ledges ad infinitum. So yes, more climbers have an impact and not just on the “experience” but on living things, ecosystems, and a natural order that we haven’t much of a clue about and may well not be around by the time we figure this simple truth out.
So, his arguments begin with a classic “oh dear, the sport has sold out, and everybody has lost the true meaning of climbing“, and ends with an interesting discussion on our impacts as a user group on those bits of stone and mud we love so dearly.
I always end up with one picture like this after climbing with Weeks
These types of complaints always get me, because I am a completely sold-out climber. I do nothing to “push the sport forward.” I’m just out to have a good time with my friends at a sunny crag. And now that I have started bringing the kiddo along with us, our impact on the area has probably doubled or tripled. For instance, last Saturday, we added to the circus at North Table by pitching G’s little UV tent right at the base of a rarely climbed 5.12. We ran around making noise, instigating dogs to bark, and probably trundled more than one rock off the side of the trail (erosion!). And, I’m pretty sure we left a couple crackers laying in the dirt at the end of the day, litter bugs that we are. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
Kate and G hanging out at the crag
Babies and Dogs are classic complaints on internet climbing forums. People just love to complain about how much they are disturbed by barking, crying, diapers, messes, and distractions. And they have a point, in a sport as dangerous as rock climbing, really bad things happen if you are not paying attention to the task at hand.
So, should we leave G home with a sitter? Should we give up climbing all together because our impact on the environment is far beyond our contribution to the sport?
G eats an orange in his little blue tent
Nah.
I love climbing. I love getting my kiddo outside. I love playing in the dirt with him, and I love playing in the sun with him. I love the smiles we get from other climbers and the way friends and complete strangers interact with him at the crag. I love showing G that there are more interesting things to do with your time than playing video games or watching DVDs. I love introducing him to an exciting world, the taste of adventure, and the experience of nature. And I think his contribution to the sport could one day be far beyond anything we can imagine now.
Mark and a very tired G hike out at the end of the day
So, thanks Peter Beal, for making me think a little about why I do what I do. We’ll try harder to make sure we pack all of our trash out with us (and maybe some extra), and talk to G about why the rocks need to stay on the trail next time. We can also sign up for more trail clean-ups and adopt-a-crag days. I can’t obliterate my impact on a crag, but I can try to reduce it a bit. Because it’s true, we’re taking more from nature these days. We can afford to give a little more back.
Weeks and Mark pack up at the end of the day
I haven’t read Peter Beal’s article, but I’ve certainly suffered the guilt. Forget babies, do humans belong at the crag? Or on the earth at all?
I think it’s in our nature to pollute, and destroy our environment and ourselves. We can only pretend otherwise. But there are lots of other, much lovelier things in our nature also.
My rule is that we should do what we love, regardless of consequences. The people I admire recognize the element of destruction in that love, and let this terrible paradox make the love even stronger. People like that will appreciate and protect our natural heritage wherever possible, but not abandon it or try to lock it away. It will change, and I hope the changes will reflect the love of these people as much as the disregard of others.
You’re one of the lovers in my book :)
Aw, thanks Dylan. Yeah, once you start to really experience nature, and the wilderness, you start to really see the impact that we’ve had on our planet. It’s both sad and incredible, really, what we’ve managed to do as a species in such a short period of time. Hopefully, the more people become aware of these damaging impacts, the more we will all have options and make decisions that start to mitigate the damage as best we can.
I also didn’t read the article.
As the most highly evolved life form (that we know of) on the planet, it is sort of up to us to experience the beauty of nature. I don’t think the tiny lizards on the trail will recognize a spectacular view. Loving nature is our role to play here. Some natural areas will fade by natural processes all on their own. Beavers can completely change an estuary. Deer can wipe out the saplings that could become a forest. We are not the only agents of change, but we can be aware of our changes and try to minimize them. Teaching our kids to love and respect nature is the best way to preserve it for generations.
Oh, thank you Bruce! It’s ok that nobody’s reading the other article, as we don’t really need to be driving traffic to this other dude’s site, do we? :) That is a very articulate response, and it makes me very, very happy. I agree, Bruce, the best way to preserve a spot is to help people fall in love with it, especially those future rulers of our world – our kids!
(Not that Gabe wants to rule the planet or anything. I think. We’re doing our best to keep him away from hollowed out volcanos and he is NOT allowed to gather minions.)
Kate,
I’ve struggled with this too, as we tote along 3 kids on many of our climbs and if we are with a group – they usually bring there kids too! We are a self-proclaimed three ring circus.
And while we try to limit the impact to the environment, there is no doubt we do. My son just cannot help attacking the bushes with his stick…oh, I mean sword. And those bushes? Bad guys that are set to hurt us. He claims self defense.
But we still go. And we probably always will. Cause somewhere inside I hope that the small destructions of a toddler will be outweighed by them turning into adults that LOVE the outdoors. And like the Crocodile Hunter always said, “We will work to save that which we love.”
I’d also like to say thanks to the many climbers that haven’t sighed and rolled their eyes when we come around the corner. So many great groups have welcomed us, played with our kids, and made our day enjoyable. So thanks!
Thanks Alyssa, glad to see I’m not alone in my thoughts here! I think you are totally right, those bushes will (likely) survive just fine and someday our kids will use these experiences as a strong foundation in their love of nature. And those climbers that put up with and even enjoy our insanity – totally awesome. Big thanks to all of them!!!
Pingback: Crag-ing it…with the babies. [repurposing your indoor baby gear] | | Kid Project.orgKid Project.org
Great thoughts expressed in your article! We consider the same things all the time. We have a 13 month old and we’ve been trying to bring him climbing since he was 3 months old! We are all about safety and making sure he has a good time. We don’t get much climbing in but getting outside with him is the most important thing. If you ever need CO partners we are looking for other families that climb so that we can meet new friends, and rotate belays/climbing with watching/playing with the munchkins. Cheers!
Hi Kelly! Thanks for the comment. Nice work getting out climbing with the kiddo. It’s not easy, but it definitely is fun! I agree, safety is number one priority, and fun is a close second. We’re always looking for new people to climb with, I’ll shoot you a line! Thanks!