Jackson, age 7, and Nolan, 4, were already thrilled about our upcoming trip to Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. Then my husband, Dan, and I told them about our plan to take a family rock-climbing lesson. An avalanche of questions ensued: "How big are the rocks?" "Do we wear helmets?" "What if we fall?" We got all the answers from our guide, Laura Deighton of Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. The result? Curiosities were sated, fears were conquered, and an enviable "what I did on my summer vacation" tale was crafted out of rock and rope.
What we did: The "Kids Rock" basic course, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., run by Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (165 N. Glenwood St., Jackson, Wyoming; 800-239-7642; jhmg.com).
What we paid: $100 per person -- pricey, but typical for a day of climbing lessons. All gear was included; we brought our own lunch and water.
Want to try it? Visit the American Mountain Guides Association Web site at amga.com for lists of accredited guides and schools.
1. Gearing up After introductions, Laura fits us with climbing shoes, which resemble snug dance shoes more than the thick-soled cross-trainers we're used to. Helmets and harnesses are selected, then we drive to "Boulder Town," within park boundaries north of Jackson Hole. We're treated to a brilliant morning sky, the astringent scents of spruce and sage, and the bleats of pikas (small, rabbitlike critters) as we hike to the boulder field.
2. Learning the ropes Once there, we practice basic techniques by crab-walking up some minivan-size boulders. The boys accept Laura's confidence-building challenge to squeeze through a slot between two boulders, emerging proud and cobwebby on the sunny side of the rocks. Next, we hike and scramble over rugged pathways to the mother of all climbing walls. It's here that Laura fits our harnesses and shows us how the anchored ropes keep us safe.
3. Up, up, and away After some gentle encouragement from Laura, Jackson starts to scale the wall. Laura carefully manages the ropes from below as he climbs hand-by-foot up the two-story rock face. With descent proving as daunting as going up, she tandem rappels with Jackson, using her body weight to guide him safely back down. Happily, rappelling turns out to be a lot easier than it looks, and -- as Dan discovers when he gives it a try too -- tons of fun.
4. View from the top The beauty of this boulder field is that anyone can find a challenge to match his or her abilities. Nolan and I opt to skip the rock wall and stick to bouldering. Laura teaches us techniques for scrambling over these surfaces like mountain goats. The boys and their dad take time to enjoy the vista from atop a big boulder, then, after lunch, we hike out, the snow-kissed Tetons serving as the backdrop to a day spent exploring life on the vertical axis.
