Families bond while climbing together

Anna Fox was 4 and her parents, Dr. John and Barbara Fox of Sewanee, Tenn., were both 34 when they started bouldering seven years ago. Despite the 30-year difference in motor skills, all three learned climbing from a level playing field.

"That's the beauty of the whole experience -- parents and their kids all start off with the same skill level," said Luis Rodriguez of Tennessee Bouldering Authority. "Kids aren't talked down to; they are sharing information with their parents."

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is practiced without ropes because heights scaled range only from 12 to 15 feet. This form of sport climbing consists of short sequences of moves, called problems, which propel the climber upward. Climbs are practiced over a thick crash pad so that falls don't result in serious injury.

Bouldering began as a pastime for top-ropers in the off season, according to Internet sites. (Top-ropers are climbers who use anchors and ropes to climb long routes.) The introduction of indoor climbing walls in the 1990s made the sport more attractive to urban residents. Indoor venues were an easy way to try out the sport before making a monetary investment in gear.

Local climbing experts report that the popularity of climbing walls has resulted in a new phenomena: a leap in the number of families bouldering both in gyms and outdoors.

"Before, bouldering seemed more extreme; people had the idea it was dangerous," said Alisa "Ledee" Holden, who has been bouldering for 18 years. "I think now it's more common to bring the kids out instead of thinking, "Oh, I have kids. I can't do it.'"

Ms. Holden is a single mother with four boys ranging in age 5 to 17. She said the boys have grown up bouldering. The five of them are out most weekends, and they visit Tennessee Bouldering Authority at least twice a week. Oliver Holden, 9, is a member of a kids climbing team.

Anna Fox, now 11 and a student at Sewanee Elementary School, said it was a climbing wall at Chattanooga Market that first piqued her interest in bouldering, even though she has a fear of heights. Now Anna, younger brother Evan and their parents make weekly trips to TBA Gym. Dr. Fox said it's become their family night out with dinner at a favorite local restaurant, sometimes with other families from the gym.

"When we first started (TBA Gym), we were often the only family. We were a bit of an anomaly," said Dr. Fox.

"The 'kids' then were in their 20s," he added wryly.

"Bouldering is something we can do together. Age isn't a handicap or an advantage."

Jonathan Berry is manager of Urban Rocks, an indoor climbing facility that opened one year ago. He said the number of families coming out has greatly increased in just one year.

"A lot of kids are naturally better than adults at bouldering because they don't have a fear of falling," he said.

Chattanooga's topography has made it a mecca for climbing enthuasiasts. Little Rock City in Soddy-Daisy and Rocktown near LaFayette, Ga., draw climbers from across the country. Other popular spots are Zahnd on Lookout Mountain and Morgan's Steep on Monteagle Mountain.

Janelle and Mike Anderson of Dayton, Ohio, make a 14-hour round-trip drive to Chattanooga three or four times a year to boulder at Little Rock City. Experienced climbers of 15 years, Mr. Anderson said the hobby was a mutual interest when they started dating,

"Normally we do more rope climbing," Mr. Anderson said, "but it requires more people because we each have to have a belayer. With bouldering, we can go just the two of us and still have a lot of fun. One of us can climb while the other watches the baby (11-month-old Axle)."

Now 4-year-old Lucas is joining them on the rocks.

"His biggest challenge is attention span," Mr. Anderson said. "What he likes best is running around exploring the corridors in Little Rock City."

Parents and climbing experts say bouldering offers opportunities to share life skills with children.

"Most important to me is teaching safety, then to respect nature," Ms. Holden said. "I always try to leave minimal impact at the sites where we climb. lf you teach kids respect early, it carries over to other aspects of life."

"Bouldering is a great way for kids to learn what they capable of in a noncompetitive environment," said Mr. Rodriguez. "We set up problems at different levels. If it takes them 100 tries to climb one, by the time they've completed it, they've learned perseverance."

Indoor Bouldering

Tennessee Bouldering Authority

3804 St. Elmo Avenue

822-6800

www.tbagym.com

Urban Rocks Gym

1007 Appling St.

475-6578

www.urbanrocksgym.com

Outdoor bouldering picks

"Chattanooga is one of the best places to live when it comes to bouldering," said Jonathan Berry, Urban Rocks manager. "We have a high concentration of bouldering locations within an hour-and-a-half drive."

Here are three of his favorites.

1. Little Rock City in Soddy-Daisy.

Little Rock City shares a parking lot with Montlake Golf Course. Climbers must check in at the golf course office and fill out a waiver. Fee: $5 per carload.

2. Rocktown near LaFayette, Ga.

A flat trail leads from the parking area to the boulders, about a 15-minute hike. Fee: free.

3. Horse Pens 40 in Steele, Ala.

A 120-acre nature park offering hiking, camping, picnicking, bouldering, campsites and RV hookups. Fee: $7 per day.

"It's one of my favorite places to go. It's very family friendly. They host family events with live music," Mr. Berry said.

Triple Bouldering Bash at gym Wednesday

Tennessee Bouldering Authority will host the first leg of a Triple Bouldering Bash competition on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in its St. Elmo gym. Subsequent legs will be March 3 and April 7 at Tennessee Bouldering Authority. Entry fee is $10 if you preregister, $15 day of event. For more information or to preregister, e-mail tbagym@tbagym.com or call 822-6800.

Learn the lingo

Chalk: Loose powder used to dry hands.

Crash pad: Thick, rectangular foam mat placed below the climber to cushion a fall.

Highballs: Really tall rocks.

Problems: The route used climbing a boulder or wall.

Spotter: Person standing on the ground to prevent the climber from landing badly, directs climber's body toward the crash pad during a fall.