Keep Calla climbing

[joeyshoe]

She's been turned down for lemonade stands at all the locations she has inquired about. She is an awesome kid and I am doing my best to make sure she (and all my other kids) do better in life (at least financially) than me. Thankful for this community!

[Great-Kazoo]

She's been turned down for lemonade stands at all the locations she has inquired about. She is an awesome kid and I am doing my best to make sure she (and all my other kids) do better in life (at least financially) than me. Thankful for this community!

Yet, if she rolled a cooler around selling burritos, there's be no issue. Maybe there's a few guns or other items you could sell?

[vim]

Yeah, she's mainly bouldering but is competing in top rope as well. She has a harness and chalk bag. Part of the issue is just not having enough money to cover travel costs even so the monetary donations are helpful there but as far as gear needs...

crash pad
helmet
rope
lead climbing gear (not a climber so I don't know specifics)

Thanks guys!

First of all, congrats on her finding something she both enjoys and is good at.

The Colorado youth competition climbing community is a good group of people. Supportive of each other in a genuine way, etc. Very different from the dog-eat-dog soccer world. So you understand where I'm coming from, I was involved with youth climbing here for a decent amount of time, organized/ran some comps, was a national finals judge for USA Climbing, burned all my vacation time going to bouldering and sport nationals, and a few continental championships. Saw my kiddo in some heart-breaking moments and also on the podium with a U.S. flag behind her. (If this is ringing a bell with anyone, IM me and say howdy.)

Yeah, money. Heh.

For climbing in the gym, she needs a harness, belay device, and shoes. And a chalk bag. As the comps and raffles go by, she'll surely win a "few" chalk bags. Maybe even win a crash pad or rope. Some of the equipment donors to raffles are pretty generous. After all, that little kid with the big eyes who just won a rope may be the future of the sport.

For bouldering outside, she can skate without the crash pad if it's team stuff or part of a group. If you're just going out as a family, get the crash pad.
For sport leading outside, the helmet's not really optional, though they can get passed around to whomever is tying in. Quickdraws are easily passed from the harness of the person untying to the harness of the person tying in. So, basically, she doesn't really need a lot right now.

Traveling to comps can be challenging for some families. Carpooling is an important strategy, even if just to help them have more fun and stay unstressed on the drive to Albuquerque or Vail or Gunnison or Phoenix or wherever the comps are in any year.

The big thing, Dad -- and this one is from the heart -- is the invisible pressure our unspoken expectations and hopes can put on them. I did not realize just how stressed my daughter was, in an isolation-format big event, until after she retired. If I had known, I would have tried more to care less about whether she stood on the top step or got a national team jacket. I'm not sure I did my best for her in that regard.

I know some great people your way and throughout the state, families who include national champions, World Cup climbers, and good values. Hit me up if you want to talk more.

[joeyshoe]

Thanks Vim! She is a USA climbing member and is working her way to regionals in a few weeks. I will definitely get in touch with you later and pick your brain a bit on the subject at hand. I appreciate the advice and the personal experience you shared.