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My insight on mountain life with a baby..

by Tracie last modified November 30, 2008, 11:51 PM
My insight on mountain life with a baby..

skiing with baby colorado nov.30 2008

I also asked the same questions Heather did before I got pregnant.  My favorite sports are all the independent ones: kayaking, mountain biking, trad climbing, peak skiing or backcountry skiing and ice climbing.  My baby now is only 4 months.  I want to be honest to say that these sports are not possible with my baby.  I have to curb my expectations on getting out now.  I wish I would have realized it more.  I still grieve my easy, pre-baby life!  Life is indeed different however Much More purposeful.

Basically you can indeed 1) get babysitters ($$$$) or 2) take turns with your husband on days to climb or 3) find a friend who is willing to take turns sport climbing on easy approach climbs.

The super great news about your post is that your other sports: hiking, backpacking, and skiing (assuming downhill/lift skiing) are much more baby friendly! 

You can still continue to rock climb, but yes - you will have to search high & low for someone besides husband to climb with.  You  will have to climb and he watches baby and vice versa.  And if you decide to breastfeed, it adds a bit more challenge.  I bought a mini travel electric pump which I have used on the trail or route.  You can definately bring a baby/toddler/kid sport climbing and bring a third to take turns.  We brought our baby climbing with us while he slept in his car seat on the ground for one route sport pitches (using a GriGri). Now he sleeps less and prefers to be more interactive so at 4 months we can't do that anymore (not that it is summer). We do climb with a friend who has two 18 month twins. A pack and play will not contain them. Basically we choose easy approach sport routes and take turns chasing kids.

On a postive note, when I do go out to do the things I love - without the baby - I appreciate my time so much more and love my son even more when I get back. Too bad you don't live in colorado - we could take turns climbing.