UKC

I’m heading to the Alps for ~8 weeks with a baby and toddler (27 months) in tow. I’d like a way of securing the toddler to us if he’s out of his carrier and there’s any danger he could fall. Normal toddler reins won’t be good enough.

I have a full body climbing harness for him, plus we have a lightweight adult harness my husband can use. Will a couple of carabiners and a length of rope do it? Is there a particular style of carabiner and quality of rope I should use? (Despite having harnesses we aren’t climbers, so I don’t have a clue about these things)

What do other people do?

I just used a climbing belt on my son and short-roped him on a sling. At that age they are really light and can be held very easily without needing to have a harness yourself, as long as you are attentive.

Probably more at risk of harm from being tripped or pulled over repeatedly by the leash than falling a long way if worn routinely.

If you're genuinely comfortable carrying a baby across terrain you'd also want to rope your toddler for then that seems like an odd situation to get into but if so follow the instructions on the kid's harness for attaching a rope to them (probably a tie in). Personally I'd body belay with a half rope offcut (because I have it) or some accessory cord since it's not going to be any more than confidence rope for a steep slope or little rock step. If it was doing more than that I'd rethink!

If it was for small bits of easy scrambling requiring a confidence rope providing decent security I'd probably add a couple of 120 slings with screwgates, these can be used for quick direct belays or lightweight improvised (adult) sit-harnesses. Also I'd not be carrying a baby and I'd want a hat for the 2yo and I'd want to know what I was doing climbingwise, if you need the ropes it's no longer really walking so you need the skills to go with the ropes.

If it's just to keep them close and under control at all times, toddler reins harness, large breed extendable dog lead* and an added wrist loop so you can't drop it. Looks a bit mad but they get plenty of freedom, it's strong enough and there are no underfoot tangles.

*Check the hidden knot if a cord type

jk

Just go do something a 2 year old will enjoy and put your own needs aside for a couple of years. Kids will thank you when older. 

That reminds me of "parents of the year" in Kalymnos who strapped their offspring to a bouldering mat whilst they climbed. After they moved said child my partner pulled a big lump off of a route that landed where they were left.

I'd assume that we're talking about walking near a drop here, rather than getting the two year-old up anything technical? So functionally not that different from charging around Robin Hood's Stride or whatever, just on a different scale....

For that, sort of thing we tend to rely on just having an adult paying close attention to each child any time they could get near to a dangerous drop. And, yeah, YMMV but our experience has been that it's easier and more fun to mostly focus on having fun playing around woods, streams, boulders etc with the kids and trying to work a way for each parent to get out for a proper walk without the kids from time to time.

Thought reins were frowned upon in Europe.

Our dog kept our toddler in check, Newfoundlands really are something special.

Thanks everyone. 
We’re not doing anything technical, just want to rope him to us as a precaution in case we stop for a break and are preoccupied with the baby eg nappy change. Not intended as a routine walking aid either as he’ll mostly be in his carrier. So it needs to be more than a confidence rope in that it needs to catch him if he fell down a moderately steep slope. Note he only weighs 11.5kg…
 

A 'confidence rope' is just a rope not rated for climbing, it doesn't imply it'll break when loaded. At your kid's weight a large breed dog lead would easily suffice to stop wandering off or rolling/sliding away. As would 4mm accessory cord but that'll tangle underfoot.

Curious fingers and accessible clips would be the main problem for me, my 2yo is a little escapologist.

jk

Got it - thanks. Dog lead is a good idea. Also I’ve just thought of fall protection ropes typically used in construction with carabiners on the ends - that is probably what I am looking for… My 2 yr old is also an escapologist but his harness fortunately has an attachment at the back that we can use ! 

Adult industrial stuff will dwarf a toddler and it's usually heavily built in steel, you don't want to be carrying that up a hill, it's total overkill.

jk

Spot on.

Dave

Odd statement.

Why would they be "frowned upon"? 

And why would you be bothered by frowns if it keeps your toddler safe?

I had a hyperactive toddler and reins were the only thing that kept him safe around traffic when i was also trying to manage a baby! 

Just something I've heard on more than one occasion. Children being treated like dogs etc.

Don't shoot the messenger, I couldn't care less what you do