Adventure with Alex

Yesterday we finally found a day were the whole family could head out for some rock climbing and decided a day trip to Rumney, NH would be worth the drive. After picking up our friend Becky in Madison at 9:30 we took the scenic drive through Sandwich, NH and after one wrong turn ended up at the Rumney main parking lot by 11am. The lot was almost full, which wasn’t surprising given the perfect Fall weather and the long holiday weekend.

Alex was ready to go…

And this time Mommy could join us on our adventure!

We hiked up to the nearby Parking Lot Wall and found an open line among the masses. This was Michelle’s first time to Rumney and she let me know she wasn’t crazy about all the distractions. She’s relatively new to the sport, and while Rumney has a somewhat relaxed atmosphere it can get a bit disconcerting when you can’t hear your partner well over the cliff side chatter. I led the easy “Glory Jean’s”, 5.6, and left the rope in place so both Michelle and Becky could get a run on it.

Alex was more interested in the dirt and leaves that I would let him play with than the climbers above him. Minutes later I heard a familiar voice call my name, and my good friends,  John and Sandy from Connecticut, were hiking up to join us. We caught up quickly then decided to relocate to the Meadow’s area with hopes of a calmer scene.

While hiking over to the meadows area we stopped and chatted with a nice family whose 3 year old was enjoying what I would come to find out his regular climb.

Old enough to walk, old enough to climb!

We knew some of the same people from Mount Washington Valley and I was reminded what a small world the climbing community exists in.

We hiked up to the Meadows and were stoked to find it almost empty. After setting up the Pack & Play I led two more routes, both 5.7, and we casually traded belay duty, with baby watching duty, and occasionally getting to climb.

Alex started to pay more attention to the climbing and was happy to see Becky return to the ground

Sandy & John enjoying the Meadows

In between watching the climbers he liked playing with some of the gear

Some other friends, Bob and Mike, also from Connecticut showed up as we were winding down. By 3pm everyone had had enough and since John & Sandy needed to get on the road to drive back to Connecticut we decided to pack it up so we would all have time for a quick bite to eat at the Common Man Inn in nearby Plymouth. While I was coiling the ropes Alex decided it was definitely time to be done, as he fell asleep in his mother’s arms. Not wanting to wake him by placing him in the carrier I decided to carry him out, and found the climbing rope would sit nicely in the kid carrier.

3rd climbing trip for Alex, a total success!

Did anyone else get outside this Columbus Day weekend? If so, what’d you do?