By Joe Kalis

I’m a newer climber, having first poorly clambered up a rock in 2019. Ice and mixed climbing came soon afterwards. My goals are to be well rounded, and to have as broad a map of terrain possible for exploration and growth. However, I’m especially drawn to ice and mixed climbing. Perhaps it’s my eastern European cultural heritage and need to indulge in voluntary suffering; perhaps it’s my icy heart; perhaps a way to seek soul refreshment in the gray winter.

Ultimately, the reasons don’t matter. What matters is that I find value and meaning in climbing, and am compelled to share with other seekers. 

When my wife and I got married, we agreed that we wouldn’t force our love for the outdoors onto any future spawn. We preferred that said spawn would discover what they liked on their own. Now, it hasn’t hurt that the kids have been willingly dragged out camping, hiking, skiing, and climbing. They’re growing up around the activities their parents enjoy. Inherent bias, sure. But I’ll take it. We’ve never forced them to try anything – skiing, climbing, etc, have all been on the kids’ terms. If they had interest, they always knew they had the opportunity to join.

Even still, when Joey asked to try ice climbing, it meant a lot to me. It was an interest we could share, even if for a day.

“What gear do I need, Dad?!" He asked, adding "I like gear!!”

Hey, I love gear too. Be still, my heart.

“Well kid,” I told him, “You already have a harness, so we’ll use that. I’ll adjust some of my crampons to fit onto your ski boots, and you can use my ice tools.”

Done.

We set out a few days later to Silver Cascade, a local ice flow about a half hour from our house. Tucked away at the end of a narrow canyon, it feels more remote than it actually is. Silver Cascade clocks in at a generously-rated WI2, and is a popular spot for guided groups and newer ice climbers. 

As we tramped along the approach trail, Joey was unusually quiet. When asked what he was thinking, Joey responded: “I’m nervous since I haven’t done this before. But I still want to try it out, it’s not something I’ve seen a kid do before.” Recognizing this sensation, I nodded. “I’m always nervous before a climb, too. It’s something our brains do to tell us to pay attention and stay focused.” This seemed to surprise Joey. “You get nervous before you climb?" He asked. "But you go climbing a lot!” Laughing, I responded: "Whenever I’m nervous, I know that I’m about to learn something about myself. So I keep doing it!” 

We were at Silver Cascade by ourselves, which really increased Joey’s comfort level for trying something new. I did some ice bouldering, demonstrating how to swing ice tools and kick front points into the ice. After trying the moves from the ground, Joey tied in to the top-rope. Moving hesitantly, feeling out the stability of the boots and security of the tools, my son ever-so-gradually moved up the ice.

“This feels WEIRD!” came an exclamation as he gingerly placed his pick into the ice. “Your form is looking good!” I answered.

A movement pattern emerged a few kicks and swings later, and a smile formed.  Grinning, Joey yelled down to me: “I like this better than rock climbing, I can make holds ANYWHERE I WANT!” Laughing, I shouted back “That’s part of why I like ice climbing so much too!” After lowering back to the ground, Joey had an ear-to-ear grin. “Wow! I can’t believe I did that. I was super scared to try, but it ended up being really fun. Can I go again??” 

It was one of those moments of sheer, unadulterated joy that sear into the psyche. Pride at having done something you didn’t think you could do. Overcoming fear and emerging on the other side. Excitement to try again. A new level of self-confidence spilling over into other aspects of life. As a dad, witnessing these emotions was powerful. We want our kids to fulfill their potential, to become who they already are. To balance between doing and being. If we can show them how, the extraordinary will take care of itself. 

This is why we climb: to discover what we don’t know about ourselves. To have transformative experiences, expanding our capability, and transferring the lessons learned to the rest of life. It’s a sensation we’ve all had, though it may have dulled with time. Seeing the joy on a boy’s face after finishing his first ice climb reminded me to pause; to pay attention. To savor each opportunity to do the things we love.

Take nothing for granted: we can’t get it back. 

Tips for Ice Climbing With Kids

If you’d like to take your kids ice climbing, here’s a few lessons learned:

• Age is a factor, but I feel that the kid’s level of desire trumps age. Don’t force them to do anything they don’t want to do. I’d wait at least until a kid is 5-6 due to physical coordination and development.  
• Close supervision and helmets for kiddos are essential due to falling ice and sharp pointy objects. Ski goggles are a good choice for eye protection.
• Very little ice gear comes in kid-friendly sizes. Kid-sized ski boots (ie, rigid sole) can be found for cheap at second-hand gear stores. For tools, ice fifis or modifying adult size tools are common approaches. Joey used my Nomics, but my daughter Lenore (age 5) had better luck with a pair of modified X-Dreams. Most crampons can be adjusted small enough to fit youth ski boots (but make sure to check!)
• Let kids test out the tools and crampons on the ground to get used to them. Our kids especially liked experimenting with ice screws and slings to build their own “anchors” – this can greatly increase the fun factor for kids.
• Keep plenty of snacks and hot chocolate on hand to combat the cold!

About the Author

Joe Kalis is a punter based in Colorado Springs, CO where he is gloriously belittled and minimized by the surrounding geography. He seeks experiences, not acquisition, clutching to the idea that effort is essential to being properly alive as a human being. The physicality and philosophy of climbing are what keep him going from day to day.  

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