LOCALadk Magazine

The three Frantz Brothers often climb with their father, Ben, because well…how else would they get to the crag? All are many years away from obtaining their own driver's licenses, yet they have amassed a resume of climbs more commonly associated with climbers three times their ages. Kai, the oldest of the three, reports that climbing was part of the way he learned to stand up. He crawled hand over hand up the wall his dad built for him in his bedroom, then used it for support until he was steady on his own feet. Tate and Trey, the younger two, have a difficult time remembering actually making the decision to climb. They simply say, "It's just what we do." Even at the age of 11, Kai has developed an appreciation for the quiet times in the Adirondack woods when he's climbing. It's downright tear jerking to hear what Tate has to say when asked about his favorite part of rock climbing. He talks about being strong and enjoying the view, but most of all, he says he likes "spending time with my dad." Trey, the youngest, seems to be quite fond of the exploration associated with climbing. When asked about his favorite part, he says, "going into the cave on Pitchoff with a headlamp and looking at interesting things." You can appreciate the variety of climbing in the High Peaks region from talking to these three. Trey's favorite spot (mind you, he's 6) is the climbing gym. He says he likes to memorize the routes and climb them with his eyes closed. When he's waiting for his turn, he likes to crawl around on the floormats and look for money. Proudly he says, "One time I found $1.80 in one hour!!" Tate's favorite spot is the whole Chapel Pond area, but says that the Trap-Dyke is the only way to climb a High Peak. Kai's ideal day of climbing is the boulders on Mackenzie Pond Road. where he can "run all around the boulders when I'm not climbing." You would guess that at least a few funny stories would come from climbing with three kids who are so young. When asked to recall some funny stories from their climbing experiences, two out of the three boys did not disappoint. Trey couldn't quite think of one, but by the time he's in third grade he ought to have one or two good ones to tell. Kai recalls sometimes rappelling with his two brothers and dad all on the same rope. He says he feels a lot safer rappelling when he can step on his dad. (Editor's note: sadly, at the time of printing we were not able to get a photo of this.) Tate recalls at the age of two climbing into a hole about 40 feet off the ground and deciding to stay there. He said he was on-belay, scared of the rest of the climb, and he didn't want to get out. After an hour trying to convince him to come out, his dad finally gave up and yanked him out of the hole by the harness. Tate says, "It's funny now." While the three boys may have different ideas about climbing, one thing is the same. Through their climbing experiences they have clearly developed a love for the mountains, especially the Adirondacks. Their shared experiences have taught them, just like their adult climbing counterparts, to appreciate the variety, the quiet places, the solitude, and the beauty of the wilderness found right outside their door. 64 Summer 2014 LOCALadk Have fun exploring them! We've worked hard to protect these places. Silver Lake Bog, Moss L ake, Santanon i Pr eserv e … and man y m o r e ! Spring Pond Bog, Val c o u r Island, Dunh am Ba y M a rs h, E ve rt o n Fa ll s , OK Slip Falls, India n R i ver, Essex Chain La ke s, Lake Lil a, Blue Ledge, Hudso n R i ver, Lyon M o u nt ain, Coon Mou nta i n , 518.576.2082 adirondacks@tnc.org Adirondack Chapter, Keene Valley, NY nature.org/adirondacks Photos by Ben Frantz

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