Reach For The Sky And Stars – Bouldering With Kids In Bishop
We affectionately refer to the area surrounding Bishop as “our Big Backyard” because much like your own backyard, it’s a place to have fun. An ideal destination for a family vacation, introducing your loved ones to the wonders of the great outdoors. If you happen to have a little explorer at home who loves to scale anything and everything, you’re in the right place. In fact, among our top 6 things to do in Bishop with kids, it includes rock climbing!
Start Them Off The Right Way
If you aren’t a serious climber or want to provide your kids with a positive first experience, consider hitting up the Sage to Summit Climbing Gym. It’s the perfect way to introduce your children to the joy of climbing in a safe and supportive environment. Every week they offer a Kid’s Drop-In class where skilled instructors provide guidance and lessons. The package includes climbing shoes and chalk, and you can also find kid-sized climbing shoes available for purchase.
Lay Of The Land
Although Bishop is world renowned for its demanding, pro-level highball bouldering climbs, the region boasts over 1,000 boulder problems in total. And yet it’s a fantastic destination for climbers of all levels, including the youngest members of your family. There are just as many beginner-friendly boulder problems for your kids to explore this sport. The majority of these opportunities are concentrated in two main areas: the Buttermilks and the Volcanic Tablelands, affectionately known as the Happy and Sad Boulders.
Where To Go
Among all the climbing areas, the Happy Boulders stand out as the most welcoming for beginners. Here, you’ll discover numerous routes perfectly suited for those with VB-V0 skill levels. What’s even better is that many of these problems are just a short walk away, so you can focus on having fun rather than embarking on a strenuous trek to reach them.
Make It A FUN Day
While it’s natural to want your child to embrace rock climbing, it’s essential to keep it enjoyable. Don’t forget to bring their favorite snacks to the climbing spot. Encourage their climbing but also respect their comfort zones. Let them take the lead in deciding what they feel at ease with. Or bring a short tag rope, and harness for the little one giving them the confidence to reach the top and teach them how to get lowered from a boulder instead of a full sized climb. These bite sized adventures offer a great training ground for the littlest to the biggest kid in all of us.
