why do women start climbing in general??

I'd be curious to find out what %-age of women started because a guy got them into it, and which ones found a group of women who took them out and got them started.

and of those in the former category, how many were romantically involved with the guys (or hoped to be) when the began their lives as "climbers"?

• the good beta problem is not as a result of his height. He just has the very common attribute of not being able to give very good beta other than his particular own sequences. This is most climbers. But a few climbers, tall or short, have the talent of conceptualizing movement for body types other than their own, and so some tall climbers do give great beta for shorties.

One "problem" is receiving lots of unsolicited advice from men in the climbing gyms. I think some guys see a woman climbing and think they should help her out. But that can interfere with the problem solving process. I usually thank them politely, but inside I'm thinking "can you please just leave me alone?"

"why women start climbing in the first place"

is asking this question in and of itself a bit interesting? What assumptions are behind this question?

I think many women start climbing for the same reason that men start climbing. Because it's fun, etc.

I got into climbing all by myself. After nursing school I decided that that sounded like fun and I tried to get a bunch of people to take a class with me at REI, but I ended up being the only one to do it. I loved it the moment I touched the fake wall. I immediately bought some of the gear and headed to a gym. After starting by climbing the rainbow at the local gym, I quickly progressed to be a 5.11 climber because I was climbing 4-5 times a week. I invited myself along to go outside with people and was taken to ELDO as my first outdoor experience. I now lead trad as often or more than I climb sport. I have a regular girl I climb with and met my fiance on the side of the road in CCC, and he was my regular camping climbing guy. I love the feeling of dancing on the wall. I think there is def improvements that can be made to the gear out there for females. And I do love the petzel helmet for women - it doesn't hurt my head like the other unisex one did.

Clothing/Equipment:
The majority of female specific gear doesn't really work for me, but I'm not exactly small so I have no problem with male clothing/packs/etc.
Quite excited to try the Yates women's harness though.

Events/workshops:
Been involved with a few, never seemed particularly relevant to me. I think they were mostly aimed at people starting out though. As an irrelevant side note, the only times I've ever been told off for smoking (outside) too close to the proceedings was at women's meets. Healthy mountains healthy people.

Websites:
MP? Lots of helpful information about women on here...

I'm sure this response is too late to get read, but I'm having a very hard time finding good women's bibs for ice climbing that aren't ridiculously expensive (yes, that is subjective), but I think it would be easier if there were as many bibs for women as there are for men. At least then there would be more choices and something would work out. As it stands, I can't wear men's bibs because the crotch is too far down (not to mention the pee factor). And yes, where are the crotch zips indeed! Some have the option, but most are high end and expensive. Spread the idea around already!

I have a similar gripe with harnesses. Why can't someone make a comfortable harness with ice clip holders for women? For that matter, there seem to be very few for men. Geez.

In general I have few complaints with rock gear. Backpacks especially are doing a great job catering to women, at least, many are either specialized for women or the unisex version is very adjustable.

I'm perfectly happy to have gear made especially for me (I prefer it), but I agree with previous commenters who don't think smaller ropes were created with women in mind. On the "smaller" note, I personally detest the FS Minis except for racking, but then, I have no tolerance for notched beaners of any kind! And I adore the Petzl ponytail helmet, as previous people have noted. But I've always thought gear manufacturers should ask me what I want before they make stuff...

I don't know about all those women but I got into climbing for the same reason I got into diving: challenge, scary, ...and I look like a bad ass doing both!

Ziggy zig zig

Yeah, Misty's really good about custom stuff, and it's nice buying from a small company where you talk to Mike or Goose or someone else with an actual name or location, rather than wondering which cam your country was hopefully assembled correctly in.

I'd try an ice forum or maybe email some manufacturers directly to get assistance with the bib issues. I'd say suck it up on the price-for good, specialty gear, you usually pay more; because it's good, specialty gear and worth it.