Climb On

The last time we went to Great Falls as a family was March of 2020 during the initial weeks of the Pandemic. A lot has passed, but when asked what we should do as a family for Indigenous Peoples Day, Owen suggested we go climbing and Noa requested we do it at Carder Rock. Being there again as a family felt pretty great.

While Noa did a little climbing over the summer, the only one that regularly goes is Owen, so of course he suggested we try a 5.10c, though Allen did make sure that some more reasonably 5.8 climbs were also accessible. After Allen, Owen and Noa set up the climb (while I safeguarded the gear and took pictures), we reconvened and decided Owen would be up first with Allen belaying for him.

Owen, of course, made the climb look easy and straightforward, which might be why the rest of us assumed we could similarly scamper up the face in just a few minutes. We were mistaken. Noa went next with Owen belaying (while utilizing his periphery enhancing belay glasses) and after what they claimed was years of their life attempting his the original route, they opted for the easier alternative. Next up was Allen, who also struggled to replicate Owen's passage, but was eventually triumphant. I went last with Allen belaying (which meant that no one actually documented my climb) and spent a little time investigating what all the fuss was about before shifting to Option B, which while still a struggle for a 50 year old that hadn't climbed in over a year, was at least doable.

It started sprinkling, but Owen wanted one last attempt to try a slightly different approach to the 5.10c, which he was able to quickly ascend. Afterwards, the kids permitted a few family selfies to document that we actually spent an afternoon together absent screens and other distractions in order to really enjoy each others' company and the great outdoors.

(To see all of the climbing pictures, click here.)