Category Archives: Toddlers at the Crag

Good Eats for Toddlers at the Crag

Apr 08 2013

As my sweet little bundle of joy has moved from the realm of cragBABY to crag-KIDDO, we’ve outgrown many of the logistical issues we used to run into, and replaced them with others…that’s why I’ve been going back and revisiting my Creating a Cragbaby series posts from a couple of years ago and revamping them, toddler style! So if your tyke is just starting to venture into the world of solid foods, you might find the younger version of this post to be more helpful. But for those of you with active, chaotic toddlers with full sets of chompers, read…Read the rest of this entry →

Strategies for Rainy Day Climbing (with a Toddler!)

Mar 07 2013

In just a few short weeks it’ll be springtime again. I can picture it now – buds will begin to sprout up in the garden, the birds start singling a little louder, and the days start getting a little longer. Oh yeah and it rains. All the time. Actually that’s not true. It doesn’t rain ALL the time. The typical m.o. in the Southeast is for the skies to be bright and sunny all week, with clouds moving in on Friday afternoon, just in time to thoroughly soak your newest objective at the local crag. But before you’re tempted to cancel that…Read the rest of this entry →

Adventuring with Toddlers – In a Nutshell Why It’s Worth It

Feb 28 2013

A lot of times I get asked what makes it worth it. Why do I put forth so much effort to continue down such an adventurous path now that I’ m a mom? Maybe because it seems so natural to me that I can’t imagine life any other way, but I sometimes have trouble finding the words to answer that question on the spot. But as I look back and reflect on how much our family has been able to share together, I know that those memories speak louder than any words ever could…so here’s my attempt to (briefly) address…Read the rest of this entry →

Keeping Your Toddler Warm on Winter Climbing Trips

Feb 03 2013

Compared to other parts of the country, a winter day in North Carolina is generally rather mild, especially if the sun’s out. But just because our highs are generally above freezing doesn’t mean your kiddo can hang out all day at the crag in a light jacket. In fact, your toddler is actually much more likely to get cold at the crag than you are. Think about it – You warm up pretty fast hiking in to the crag with a big pack, while the only effort your child is expending is craning around to make you lose your balance…Read the rest of this entry →

Cragbaby Highlights for 2012

Jan 02 2013

It’s been a big year for C, who went from a curious, craggin’ toddler to a big boy with his own agenda at the crag (which may or may not have anything to do with climbing…). So in honor of Highlight Week 2012, here’s a look back at some of C’s favorite moments from this year (from his perspective, of course!)… 5. Big Boy Climbing Gear – This year I had my very own climbing gear – shoes, chalkbag, harness, and helmet. Just like Mommy and Daddy! Even though I don’t always use all of it, having my own gear…Read the rest of this entry →

Road-Trippin’ with a Toddler – 10 Tips for Keeping Your Sanity

Oct 08 2012

Unless you are lucky enough to have a world class climbing/hiking/camping destination in your backyard, odds are good that “getting there” (and back) will make up a significant portion of your itinerary. This post is the toddler version of a post I wrote a year ago entitled “Making your Cragbaby a Good Car-baby.” Back then Cragbaby was not quite 18 months…and now he’s a giant (comparatively) two and a half year old with bundles of energy oozing out of every part of him! In some ways, car rides are easier now – he’s older and can entertain himself for longer.…Read the rest of this entry →

Toddlers on the Trail – Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Sep 17 2012

…And don’t forget a few steps off trail to go look at that mushroom under the log… In the past year we’ve gone from hiking with an enthusiastic little Cragbaby who loved to take in the world from the confines of his backpack carrier to chasing after a headstrong toddler that wants to do it “on my own.” In some ways its a lot easier (when C decides to hoof it there’s an automatic 30 pound decrease in pack weight…). But C’s newfound independence has also opened up a whole ‘nother can of issues that we’ve had to work through.…Read the rest of this entry →

A Peachy KEEN Start to Fall with Toddler Hiking Boots

Sep 11 2012

When I first showed Cragbaby the brand new box of Keen Alamosa WP Hiking Boots that had arrived on our doorstep, the first thing he said was, “Peachy Keen.” Really, he did. But it probably had more to do with his current infatuation with the “Veggie Tales” theme song than his knowledge of 1950′s slang. He tore open the box and enthusiastically jumped into my lap so I could help him put on his shoes. While I crammed his wiggly little toddler feet into them, I told them that these were his new special hiking shoes, and that they would…Read the rest of this entry →

Cragbaby Gets a Camera!

Aug 16 2012

Ok ok I know everyone is probably tired of hearing about our family’s trip out west. But it didn’t seem fair to end the trip reports without mentioning Cragbaby’s newfound perspective – behind the lens of a camera. Even though he hadn’t seen her in months due to business travels, C certainly hadn’t forgotten his favorite climbing partner, Manuela, and he stuck to her like glue for the entire trip. It’s a good thing that she’s a beautiful person and I don’t mind him imitating her, because he wanted to do EVERYTHING that she did – which of course included…Read the rest of this entry →

Toddler Sleep at the Crag: Play Hard, Sleep Hard.

Jun 27 2012

When it comes to the topic of naptimes and 2 year olds, this can either be a period filled with blissful midday breaks, or frustrating afternoon battles (or sometimes a combination of the two…), depending on your child’s personality and sleep needs. I’ve gotten a lot of questions recently regarding how we handle naps at the crag now that C is a big boy, so I figured this topic would be a good way to kick off my new blog series – Toddlers at the Crag. This is a twist on my original post entitled “Sleepytime Solutions,” written back when…Read the rest of this entry →

Creating a Cragbaby – The Toddler Years

Jun 11 2012

Somehow (overnight it seems) I became the mother of a toddler. And with that, our crag “issues” have shifted a bit. No longer am I trying to balance a soft carrier with a baby on the front and a pack full of gear on my back (sigh of relief…). Instead I’ve got a big boy that’s not quite as big as he thinks he is, who often insists upon hiking in himself, only to discover halfway through that his little legs are, to quote my Maw Maw, “plum wore out.” He never asks to nurse at the crag anymore, so…Read the rest of this entry →

“Not all who wander are lost.” —JRR TOLKIEN