Some climbers and their kids

Terry E wrote:

Yes, please teach your kids not to trundle rocks. Do a search and read about what happened to Pete Absolon.

Thanks Terry. That story about Pete is tragic. And to such a great guy.  What an incredible loss. The rock that I let Sam toss off was in a direction that we were sure there were no people a clear line of sight. This is also at the bottom of the tower not the top and it’s away from the ascent trail. This is something that kids constantly ask to do and I almost always say no.

That said I realized that tossing this rock off and also posting the film could encourage others who are less careful than us and so I decided to take down the video and apologized to a few of the people that raised some concern. Sam has a following and it’s not a good idea to encourage anyone to do this. Even just the sound of it can be scary to other climbers. So I agree and won’t do this again.

What’s odd is that there are so many bullies out there who jumped at the opportunity to claim that I attempted murder by letting Sam toss a rock off. And then they reposted the video that I took down and apologized for. These people are always mad that my son Sam has a following on Instagram and constantly talk about him. It’s like they are obsessed with him. There are two guys in particular that just constantly gossip about me and my family.

This was not a healthy response from the climbing community. I am greatful to mountain project for taking the slander and gossip down. If anyone sees me or my kids doing something unsafe just send me a direct message on social and I’ll respond quick. If you see anyone else doing something unsafe I’d recommend messaging them directly first. This will make for a way better community at large.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

Joe Baker wrote:

Thanks Terry. That story about Pete is tragic. And to such a great guy.  What an incredible loss. The rock that I let Sam toss off was in a direction that we were sure there were no people a clear line of sight. This is also at the bottom of the tower not the top and it’s away from the ascent trail. This is something that kids constantly ask to do and I almost always say no.

That said I realized that tossing this rock off and also posting the film could encourage others who are less careful than us and so I decided to take down the video and apologized to a few of the people that raised some concern. Sam has a following and it’s not a good idea to encourage anyone to do this. Even just the sound of it can be scary to other climbers. So I agree and won’t do this again.

What’s odd is that there are so many bullies out there who jumped at the opportunity to claim that I attempted murder by letting Sam toss a rock off. And then they reposted the video that I took down and apologized for. These people are always mad that my son Sam has a following on Instagram and constantly talk about him. It’s like they are obsessed with him. There are two guys in particular that just constantly gossip about me and my family.

This was not a healthy response from the climbing community. I am greatful to mountain project for taking the slander and gossip down. If anyone sees me or my kids doing something unsafe just send me a direct message on social and I’ll respond quick. If you see anyone else doing something unsafe I’d recommend messaging them directly first. This will make for a way better community at large.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

These MPrs are sensitive bunch.

Post more kid pics in this thread please Joe.

Tradiban wrote:

These MPrs are sensitive bunch.

Post more kid pics in this thread please Joe.

You bet! I got about a million!

This is Sylvan Lightyear climbing the CMC route on Mount Moran! 

Steph Evans wrote:

If you don't have a child and you're not a professional, are you even qualified to make a call on what is or isn't safe? Pretty sure my toddler can properly express herself. She'd hear this and straight up ask you "What the F*ck?" Normalize parents needing their mental health breaks or you can help find a solution to childcare cause I'm not sure who can afford $20-$25/hr to get a day of climbing in all the time. Maybe try not going to such popular crags and getting farther away. Speakers are more annoying and ill behaved dogs in my opinion. 

Also, exposure for them will hopefully inspire a love when they're older. Maybe your jealous your parents weren't that cool as I'm certain some of these kids are going to be crushers. 

You don't have to be a parent or a professional to understand whether something is dangerous or not for a kid. What an asinine idea. Seeing pack and plays set up literally at the base of climbs with people climbing above them is dangerous, don't need any training to realize that. Speakers and misbehaved dogs are indeed annoying, but I have seen far more misbehaved children than dogs at crags. 

Joe C wrote:

. Speakers and misbehaved dogs are indeed annoying, but I have seen far more misbehaved children than dogs at crags. 

BS... you're so fill of it... roflmfao...

Joe C wrote:

You don't have to be a parent or a professional to understand whether something is dangerous or not for a kid. What an asinine idea. Seeing pack and plays set up literally at the base of climbs with people climbing above them is dangerous, don't need any training to realize that. Speakers and misbehaved dogs are indeed annoying, but I have seen far more misbehaved children than dogs at crags. 

There's nothing asinine about it. Dangerous things carefully. I'll debate that a pac n play at the base is only unsafe if you put it directly under those who are climbing. A child in a pac n play isn't going to be misbehaving as they're contained.

 Kids are exploring their environments and learning about boundaries so while you may see it as "misbehaving" they don't understand the concept of being "bad" although I wouldn't even say a child is being bad. Adults just hold kids to higher standards and expect kids to regulate themselves more than they even can themselves. Many adults at crags and even this forum have disregulated emotions and don't behave or respect boundaries pretty asinine to expect that of a child.  

But if you don't expose kids to different environments they won't learn and will be the "misbehaved" adults at the crag later on. There's dangers in everything you do, I'd wager it's likely more dangerous to get in a car. You also completely ignored the part about mental health and childcare costs...

Joe C wrote:

Families who don't care about their infants newborns safety. It is not a flex to disagree with you. My god you all are so sensitive because you refused to change the way you lived after giving birth

Now, now, Joe, you don't get to make that choice for everyone about what they do after having a child. You're kinda closed minded if you believe life has to change so much you can't rock climb. 

My honorary niece and her niece.

Honorary niece on the right.  Her cousin and my buddy on the left.

Nearly 32 years ago to present - Joseph Henry Miller

Oldest son Marshall - Aiguille du Midi

Daughter Jayne  - Snow Canyon

Daughter Suzette - Jah Man

Nice work, Kim!

RKM wrote:

Inspirational. Thank you.

Below: Not my kid, but someone I'm very proud of nonetheless.

"Fauxny Hawk," one of my very first students when I began teaching in the classroom. When he graduated fifth grade, he was eligible to join the outdoor climbing club. I still remember teaching him to belay (on an ATC!).

Fast forward a few years, and we're swapping leads at a slighter bigger crag.

Let the suffering begin! Sis adding in extra challenge.

Minigote's first bouldering helmet.

Logging out to spend some quality time with Nettie, see you all in a few months! :-)

Congrats!