Ask Hazel Findlay // Win a Black Diamond Creek 35 and Positron Quickpack

As an accomplished professional climber, what is your source of inspiration? What makes you continue to strive for the next great climb?

Hey Hazel,
Thanks for taking the time to share thoughts with us.

I like to think most people who get to the professional level, in any sport, would like to leave behind a legacy. You obviously have a lot of time left to develop whatever path you choose to go down, climbing or otherwise; what do you hope for your legacy to be when its all said and done?

All the best,
Andrew

Hazel,

What climbing experience has scared you out of your gourd the most? Would you tell us about that moment? Props for being so bold by the way! I for one, really appreciate boldness. Thanks for being an excellent example for climbing community.

I'm also wondering about the danger element. How do you decide when you think you can trust your skills and strength and when to back down. As a leader I get into this situation and generally just push forward a little at a time but I sometimes find there's nothing you can do but try it and see if you are up for the challenge. Have you gotten yourself into situations where you were in over your head and either been able to pull through or gotten in real trouble? How much prep work do you do for hard routes? With a lot of pro-level climbing we the masses only ever see video of folks falling a few times and then sending so it's hard to get a sense of how much failure and downclimbing come into the picture. As someone who is gradually pushing out into figuring out my own limits it's something I dwell on a lot, that funny mix of rationalizing the doubts versus just believing in oneself and trying.

Matt

Hazel,

If you could ride any traditionally unridable animal what would it be and why ?

Hi Hazel-

You write about happiness and what it looks like without climbing during your time with a shoulder injury. I was curious on how a long term injury shaped your person, and how your views on climbing have changed (or haven't) since. What are some major takeaways that you have had from the prolong break?

Cheers.

Marc

What other sport would you want to focus on if you stopped climbing? Mine is ping pong!

Hi Hazel!

Are you ever bothered by the expectation for top climbers like yourself to be producing new content all the time, or do you enjoy engaging with the climbing community on this level?

Does this pressure ever get in the way of getting out to just climb?

Hope you're all healed up soon!

Dylan Winchester

Even though the UK has really improved its culinary reputation, its best restaurants still mostly serve food other than British food. You can get great Indian, Pakistani, Spanish, etc...but British food still just kind of sucks. What country are you most stoked to visit to get away from your native country's abysmal cuisine?

Hi Hazel,

What does a perfect day of food look like when you're on a climbing trip?

Breakfast (Also, what is your favorite caffeinated tea?):?

Lunch/Snacks:?

Dinner:?

Thanks for being an amazing human and inspiring us all!

Hey Hazel, as a climber, you learn a lot about yourself, about the outside world and about other people. If you could take one thing that you've learned as a climber and teach it to everyone in the world, what would that be?

Thanks for being such a gnarly lady!

Howdy Hazel!

I was wondering how and what you found to do while recovering from your injury. I just broke my back 2 weeks ago and I'm already going nuts! Thanks for doing this! Holds are for boulderers :)

Regards, Ryan

Hi Hazel,

If your mind couldn't experience fear, do you think you would still climb?

Hazel,

Your ascent of Once Upon a Time in the South West in 2011 has me wondering:

In your experience, do people tend to respond differently to women attempting more dangerous climbs? Headlines that advertise your 'First Female Ascent of the E9 Grade' seem to (perhaps inadvertently) establish a distinction between the risk tolerances of men and women.

Do you consider yourself to have a particularly unique risk tolerance or risk management system? Whether you do or not, could you describe your approach to risk management?

Thank you!

Hazel,

If you could choose one inspiring/influential/controversial person from history, as a one time climbing partner, say on a long el cap route (doesn't matter if they climb or not), who would it be, and why?

What would you two discuss and how would you hope it would/could impact the world?

Cheers!
Clay

Hi Hazel:

I recall watching a video of you, Alex Megos, Tommy Caldwell, and Emily Harrington hanging out in a gym and trying to stump each other with your own routes. I noticed that you easily stumped Megos by coming up with a dyhedral, balancy, stretchy type of route that took away his ability to breathe his way up the route with one finger.

I'm currently training to break into the 5.12 grade and most of training, for many reasons, is done indoors but I would like to reach my goal outdoors. My question to you is, seeing how much of an accomplished outdoor climber you are how much of that translates to indoor climbing? Do you find climbing indoors is easier or harder? What would your tips be, outside of get out more!, for someone like me trying to go from plastic to rock?

Also, do you concentrate on a particular type of climbing? for instance, I've found that I prefer climbing vertical or slightly overhung routes due to the fact that that is what I train on at the gym. But when I get on a slab or some cracks I feel like a complete greenhorn not to mention off-widths!! do you find that your climbing abilities are better suited at one type of climbing than the others? ? if so, does that matter to you? do you make it a point to get on different terrains or rock types? I have basalt columns close to home as well as limestone walls but when I get to a granite haven I often feel like my friction and balance game are lacking. Do you ever feel like this?

Hazel,

How do you think being a woman impacts your life as a climber?

Keep on being awesome!

What is your favorite type of climbing and why is it trad?

Hazel,

How do you embrace the fear you must feel on the scary routes you attempt?

Hazel! Thanks for being a girl that crushes! 14 months ago, I endured a snowboarding accident that gave me chronic pain and most doctors say I'll have it for the rest of my life.

As far as climbing goes - how do you push your limits and take risks without letting fear get the best of you? I love exposure, taking risks, and accomplishing things I didn't think I could accomplish and usually those feelings are only felt when climbing. Now that I've gone through this accident, it's pretty hard to fight off the sometimes paralyzing fear of hurting myself even more. So, I'd love to know how you push through that fear while also pushing yourself so that you can grow and develop as a climber?