Women and climbing partners
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Out of curiosity, how many women are out there who only have male climbing partners and/or would like to climb with more ladies? I'm lucky to have a really strong crew of women climbers in my community (it doesn't hurt being engaged to one of them), but when I travel I notice a lot of women complain about not having enough female partners. I totally get the difference that comes with men vs women. I personally think having a balance of both is the sweet spot. My female friends encourage me in a different way than my guy friends and both are valid but pretty different. I'm always shocked when I talk with some women who haven't found other ladies to climb with though! |
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I've always climbed with mostly guys. There are fewer than 10 women I have ever climbed with (I mean women climbers who go on trips on their own, and make plans directly with me, and don't count women who only come as an included +1 with their husband/boyfriend, who is the one actually making plans to go climbing with me). |
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I've only climbed with women a few times, and it was as a mixed group, or in the gym. No regular lady partners, yet. For me though, it's been more of a partners being scarce problem than male/female. As the not strong, newer climber, I have to be out with someone who is good with that. Not easy to find! Plus, there's the long list of "sure! Let's climb sometime!" with phone numbers, but no one ever follows through. And, schedules. All of that said, I would love to climb with someone like Lena! At 4'11", my climb up any route is just not going to be the same as my 6' tall partner! But, then we're still back to mismatched abilities.... Best, OLH |
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Lena chita wrote: D'aww, if we lived closer together we'd totally be crag friends! |
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Been climbing trad multi-pitch with mostly women since 1992. Organized Sheclimbs in D.C from 1994 to 1996. Occasionally I climb with cool dudes. https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/she-climbs-like-a-girland-its-awesome |
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La MoMoFace wrote: I know better than to try and convince you to move here... Maybe someday I'll move. But hopefully we will climb together this spring, and you won't even bail. |
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I definitely struggle to find female climbing partners. I just watched La Sportiva’s new Slaydies video with Margot Hayes, Emily Harrington, and Paige Claassen... I was so jealous of that! I would love to go on a girls trip. Most of the ladies in my group don’t want to break off from their SOs or don’t enjoy climbing outside of larger groups. I also admit I have a hard time making female climbing friends out of strangers at the gym... sometimes I feel intimated if they are a lot better than me. I definitely feel like I’m lacking that support. |
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Kailey - I would encourage you to not be intimidated by better climbers! I admit that sometimes in the gym I get focused in on my routine or problem I'm working on. But if you have an attitude of curiosity and a strong sense of stoke you shouldn't feel timid around anyone. I've found that one of the best ways to get better is to climb with people who are climbing just a little harder than you. You can ask questions like, "how did you do this move?" and learn so much. It is hard when people have already paired up with either their SOs or other partners, but keep trying. I'm sure you're not the only woman looking for more female climbing partners! Maybe even start a club or meet-up in your gym. |
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+1 on anna's comment. |
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Lena chita wrote: This is me you're describing, both the too timid (at times), and the definitely stoked, lol! It is most definitely hard rounding up partners and making it work, male or female. The last paragraph is key, I think, for mismatched abilities. That's the boat I will be in forever, honestly, so my level of "try hard" has to be kept very, very high. Which is fine by me! A partner who can enjoy my super modest "triumphs", and grasp that I have some physical challenges, is a big plus. Not everyone is that sort of partner, though, which is fine, but not for long, for me at least. That said, I have hugely enjoyed the opportunities to offer a belay to out of town climbers on those one time only partnerships, and I've casually swapped belays with tons of folks at gyms. There are a lot of great people out there! Best, OLH |
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I bookmarked this site a while ago - Alpenglow Collective - seems like a good resource for finding non-male partners where you live. From their "About" page: "Alpenglow Collective is a connecting force for the women’s and trans climbing community. It is an inclusive platform where women, trans people, and gender non-conforming folks can connect, find climbing partners, and create lasting relationships. We strive to foster in-person mentorships within the climbing community and facilitate the transition from gym to crag." |
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My climbing community (Keen/Lake Placid in the Adirondacks of NY) has a small, but entirely bad ass group of women climbing strong and hard. I feel so very lucky to be able to share a rope with them. On top of that, the men here are capable, enlightened souls who are totally awesome to climb with. Sound Utopia? Well, it kind of is. Think of a tiny Boulder without the prices, assholes, or pretentiousness |
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I climb in Boulder. Have several great guy partners; would like some women to climb with. I am retired and can travel. |
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I climbed with some rad ladies back east, but now having the hardest time finding anything other than climbing bros in Tahoe area. My SO doesn't climb, and both of us would prefer I climbed w the ladies. Also, it's tough when you just want to climb fun but easier pitches, not crazy stuff at Yosemite. Finding I'm the odd woman out here. |
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ChapelPondGirl wrote: My climbing community (Keen/Lake Placid in the Adirondacks of NY) has a small, but entirely bad ass group of women climbing strong and hard. I feel so very lucky to be able to share a rope with them. On top of that, the men here are capable, enlightened souls who are totally awesome to climb with. Sound Utopia? Well, it kind of is. Think of a tiny Boulder without the prices, assholes, or pretentiousness I just realized that what I said above could be taken as very judgemental. I didn't mean that everyone in Boulder is a pretentious asshole. |
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I mainly climb with guys, but I'd love to climb regularly with another female... I easily meet other ladies and exchange contacts but when it comes to actually going outside/on climb trips they tend to flake (my personal experience) whereas my male partners follow through and make more of an effort to climb. |
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Crag Hag wrote: I mainly climb with guys, but I'd love to climb regularly with another female... I easily meet other ladies and exchange contacts but when it comes to actually going outside/on climb trips they tend to flake (my personal experience) whereas my male partners follow through and make more of an effort to climb.I love group climbing rather than a single one. This is interesting because of lots of guys together. |
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ChapelPondGirl wrote: Yeah, thanks for that. ;) |
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Bendon Arthar wrote: I love group climbing rather than a single one. This is interesting because of lots of guys together. Group climbing is the way to go... I mean, I prefer it. |
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Em Cos wrote: Em, we have a common friend I think. Allison? We were just talking about you tonight actually. Ears ringing? |