Scaling 5.14 rock faces is life for Andrew, who travels the world for the best rock climbing: China, Australia, Europe, Canada, Mexico and more. He has made a career of it as an adventure sports writer for publications including National Geographic, The New York Times and Outside Magazine. He is also a dad of two young girls, and his four year old is already working on her grip and learning to climb at Rifle Mountain Park, a world-class climbing area 20 minutes from their home.
When asked what his favorite thing about adventuring as a family is, Andrew said, “For better and worse, kids are a recalibration of what’s important in life. You lose some of the freedom and routine, but you also get to have a second childhood that shakes you out of rigid thought patterns, makes you feel loose and free and just appreciate being in the moment. We have a saying in our house that everything is easier if we can just get outside—and it’s true.”
“You see how happy, entertained, and imaginative kids are when they’re outside. Sticks and rocks become toys. You see this mind engaged and at work in the outdoors in a way you don’t see when you’re inside surrounded by screens and toys. Piper learned how to ski this winter, and she went down the whole mountain on her second try without falling. She got so stoked about it she made herself skis at home using cardboard and duct tape and would ski around the house.”
The Cruiser has also become a part of their family adventures: “Like I said, everything’s better if you can just get outside. The Cruiser just makes it quicker and easier to do that.”
Q&A
Q: Tell me a little bit about what you do professionally?
A: I’m a freelance writer covering adventure sports, mostly rock climbing, which I love to do myself. I have written for National Geographic, The New York Times, and Outside Magazine. I run a popular rock climbing website called Evening Sends and I’m the co-host of a climbing podcast called The RunOut.
Q: Ages of children; and names if you are comfortable with them being included.
A: We have two daughters: Piper Tilley Bisharat (turns 4 in April) and Bree Hayden Bisharat (turns 1 in June).
Q: Some of the biggest rock climbing accomplishments? Or favorite/most challenging mountain you have scaled?
A: I’ve been climbing for over 20 years, have climbed routes as difficult as 5.14, and have traveled around the world for climbing to places such as China, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, and all over Europe.
Q: What are some of the regular outdoor activities you do as a family?
A: We love taking the kids up to Rifle Mountain Park, a world-class climbing area 20 minutes from our home. Mom and dad take turns climbing and Piper just enjoys being outdoors in the woods, by a stream, exploring the endless possibilities of a young imagination. Piper has just started climbing as well and loves swinging on the rope. We also go skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, swimming as a family as often as possible.
Q: What is your favorite part about adventuring with your children?
A: For better and worse, kids are a recalibration of what’s important in life. You lose some of the freedom and routine, but you also get to have a second childhood that shakes you out of rigid thought patterns, makes you feel loose and free and just appreciate being in the moment. We have a saying in our house that everything is easier if we can just get outside—and it’s true.
You see how happy, entertained, and imaginative kids are when they’re outside. Toys become sticks and rocks. You see this mind engaged and at work in the outdoors in a way you don’t see when you’re inside surrounded by screens and toys.
Our daughter Bree’s middle name “Hayden” is an homage to one of our best friends Hayden Kennedy, who died in 2017, and when you lose someone so close like that you tend to hear people talk about how important it is to “be in the moment” and “appreciate those around you” since we never know when they might be gone. And while that’s certainly true, I have to say that my experience of being a father is one in which I can’t imagine not appreciating each and every moment I get to spend with these two amazing little girls. Even when it’s tough, there’s a part of me that just feels so grateful to be both a guide and sometimes just a witness to their adventures in the outdoors and in life.
Q: What do you hope they will take away from your outdoor experiences together?
A: Self-reliance. Confidence in their abilities but also confident enough to ask for help when they need it. Respect for nature. Respect for others especially those who are less fortunate.
Q: Growing up yourself did you spend much time outdoors? Any favorite activities you did as a family?
A: No, my family was not active outdoors.
Q: Any favorite memories or additional things you want to share about outdoor experiences with your kids?
A: Piper learned how to ski this winter, and she went down the whole mountain on her second try without falling. She got so stoked about it she made herself skis at home using cardboard and duct tape and would ski around the house.
Q: Since having the Cruiser, is there anything you would add about the role Veer has played in your family adventures?
A: We took the Cruiser down to Tulum, Mexico on a recent beach trip and it was an all-in-one solution for us because we used it as a travel crib for Bree, and it was our way to get around town, shop for food, and get to the beach. Like I said, everything’s better if you can just get outside. The Cruiser just makes it quicker and easier to do that.