Yosemite with kids

[kevbone]

Planning 6 night trip to Yosemite next July with the family. I have a 6 and 4 year old who have both seem a fair about of rock climbing indoors and out.

 

Any ideas on an area in Yosemite that is kid friendly? Even a tall boulder that I can throw a rope over?

 

Thanks in advance.

[ivan]

all those little crags right off the road between camp 4 and the village store seem pretty good - god know's they're usually thronged by groups of newbie kids...

[mountainmatt]

I would suggest checking out Swan slab right next to camp 4. There will be a lot of other parties on it, but the routes are short and there are lots variations to be had:

 

http://www.summitpost.org/swan-slab/157850

 

http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/California/Yosemite_National_Park/Yosemite_Valley/Swan_Slab/Swan_Slab/

 

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/swan-slab/105841123

[markwebster]

In addition to the Camp 4 crags, Manure Pile and Church Bowl both have routes 5.8 and under that can be led, and then top roped. Same thing on the base of El Cap.

[keenwesh]

just take 'em up half dome

 

http://vocr.sri.com/herson/climbing/tr/halfdome-kara.html

[Off_White]

Right side of Monday Morning Slab is 5.2 or some such, and not in the bombardment zone on Glacier Point.

 

There is fun boulder field exploration on the trail from the Ahwahnee to Mirror Lake too, scrambling is as much fun as climbing at that age, and you can find some chalked up problems to keep you entertained as well. Its pretty shady in there, which can be an asset in July.

 

Conversely, escape the heat and go to Tuoloumne. Hike the kids up the descent route on Lembert Dome for a great views and a sense of climbing a summit, then play on the glacier polish at the bottom, a guaranteed good time. You could also rope them up something like the Beginner's Route if you've got another climber - it is 4 pitches long and traverses a bit so you'll need an adult at either belay.

[kevbone]

Thanks everyone.

[ivan]

Right side of Monday Morning Slab is 5.2 or some such, and not in the bombardment zone on Glacier Point.

 

There is fun boulder field exploration on the trail from the Ahwahnee to Mirror Lake too, scrambling is as much fun as climbing at that age, and you can find some chalked up problems to keep you entertained as well. Its pretty shady in there, which can be an asset in July.

 

Conversely, escape the heat and go to Tuoloumne. Hike the kids up the descent route on Lembert Dome for a great views and a sense of climbing a summit, then play on the glacier polish at the bottom, a guaranteed good time. You could also rope them up something like the Beginner's Route if you've got another climber - it is 4 pitches long and traverses a bit so you'll need an adult at either belay.

jesus, totally forgot about the area aroudn the awanhee - badass bouldering fun there for tots of all sizes - my favorite there is the subterreanean stuff, bouldering underground during the heat of the day =

 

[kevbone]

Nice.

 

This is not a climbing trip but just a camping trip that I am hoping to get some climbing in. I want my kids to expierence Yosemite from an early age......should be good times.

[ivan]

that's what's nice about the area around the hotel - great boulders, but plenty of rock-hoping, squirrel-chasing, trail-walking, etc. right around it (plus, has the best shitters in the valley!)

[matt_warfield]

And the views alone should blow the mind of anybody that is old enough to be aware.

 

At the risk of competing with the 15 page flu thread, you should be aware of hantavirus issues with camping inside the Park.

Edited November 28, 2012 by matt_warfield

[ivan]

And the views alone should blow the mind of anybody that is old enough to be aware.

 

At the risk of competing with the 15 page flu thread, you should be aware of hantavirus issues with camping inside the Park.

only if yer shelling out the big shekels to stay in them thare high-priced shacks! us po'boys in camp iv and da wal-mart parking lot pines got nothing to fear

[matt_warfield]

And the views alone should blow the mind of anybody that is old enough to be aware.

 

At the risk of competing with the 15 page flu thread, you should be aware of hantavirus issues with camping inside the Park.

only if yer shelling out the big shekels to stay in them thare high-priced shacks! us po'boys in camp iv and da wal-mart parking lot pines got nothing to fear

 

Good strategy and much healthier. Deer mice in crowded tent areas brings a whole new level to the definition of snafflehound.

 

The bears and thieves and sailor language in camp 4 might be frightening to children. There is always Midnight Lightning for kev, but Tuolumne sounds much better for the fam.

Edited November 29, 2012 by matt_warfield

[ivan]

nah, camp 4's fine for kids - fucking assholes like me are like flies on whores in the valley already and it's c-c-c-cold up in toloumne, even in july (plus, motherofgod, the 'skitters!)

[matt_warfield]

nah, camp 4's fine for kids - fucking assholes like me are like flies on whores in the valley already and it's c-c-c-cold up in toloumne, even in july (plus, motherofgod, the 'skitters!)

 

Well, I guess you answered my question about sailor's language.

[kevbone]

nah, camp 4's fine for kids - fucking assholes like me are like flies on whores in the valley already and it's c-c-c-cold up in toloumne, even in july (plus, motherofgod, the 'skitters!)

 

I will never stay in camp 4 again.

[ivan]

really? i actually haven't spent all that much time there as it's fucking retard-hard to get a berth if'n you're actually doing much w/ the days it seems - what pissed you off on the place? the pines are pretty ideal, if you have a car (and a base-camp hoochie-mama to boot )

[matt_warfield]

really? i actually haven't spent all that much time there as it's fucking retard-hard to get a berth if'n you're actually doing much w/ the days it seems - what pissed you off on the place? the pines are pretty ideal, if you have a car (and a base-camp hoochie-mama to boot )

 

As long as it isn't a hoochie-mama that is covered with fur and weighs several hundred pounds and will break into any car that has any food product in it. And camp 4 has a parking lot.

 

And the issues with getting a site goes against the grain of the origins of Camp 4.

Edited November 30, 2012 by matt_warfield

[telemarker]

Even a tall boulder that I can throw a rope over?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I've heard there are anchors on top of this boulder...

 

 

Edited November 30, 2012 by telemarker