Any Women Aid Climbers?

I’m looking for women who are serious about aid/wall climbing to learn with. I would like to climb some walls with another dedicated woman and eventually do some solo aids. I have been practicing my systems and solo aid technique, but would really love an apprenticeship with someone experienced. I live in Colorado but have a fairly flexible schedule . 

Try contacting this lady

https://www.mountainproject.com/user/105886497/holdplease2

Thanks G De Laney!

Somebody just posted my Clean Walls video on page 2 of the broke biner while topsteping thread.

Might be some stuff to help you.

I can help you. I’ll be in Yosemite all summer  2023 @hayley_ashburn

Thanks Ron! I watched the video and gleaned some more info from it. I sure appreciate it!

They’re definitely out there, I saw multiple all-female teams on El cap a couple weeks ago 

Right on! Yeah, I’m slowly connecting with other women who are into wall climbing.  Thanks for posting and for the encouragement!

Here's another woman who was getting into aid, a few years back:

https://www.mountainproject.com/user/106191346/irishjane

The ultimate mentor would be Silvia Vidal.  Not sure how you would convince her to teach, as she seems very private, , but she is undoubtedly skilled in solo big wall aid climbing.  John Middendorf might know how to get a message to her.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiNSRZ7HQbw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SHphKS2ILs

Hey Teresa!

I’d love to practice systems with you, I’m also still learning so not super experienced, but would love to learn with another lady! Also saw you’re located in BV? I’m in Salida!

Feel free to PM me!

Lauren

Lauren,

I’m excited you’re in Salida! Let’s try to connect. I’ll send you a pm.

Teresa

G De Laney,

I sure appreciate your insight. My husband is good friends with Barry Ward and J Middendorf. They make D4 Portaledges. We’ll reach out to Middendorf and see if there’s a way to get a message to Silvia Vidal.

Teresa

Just dropping a reply here for solidarity. I’m on the east coast, so not a likely candidate for practicing with you, but two girlfriends and I just took an Intro to Big Wall Climbing women’s clinic with Miranda Oakley and are looking forward to practicing our aid skills and eventually getting out to Zion and Yosemite.  Maybe we will link up someday!

Shellie. Thanks for reaching out! 

Late reply and I'm also in Oregon, not Colorado - but I am very interested in pursuing big wall & aid climbing. Would love to connect/chat with anyone! 

San Diego aspiring Wall climber here! I’ve done some aiding practice, but finding partners is the hardest thing. Won’t be much help in your search for someone local, but wanted to let you know we are out there! If there are any ladies in southern CA who want to practice together, I’m game!

Alyssa, Lauren, I’m glad to see your posts! I am in NJ (my home climbing area is the Gunks) and I’m the phase of practicing aid, cleaning, hauling skills and acquiring gear. Also started doing squats and deadlifts to prep for the hauling (I’ve never really lifted before). Will be in the valley in October (dates TBD), if anyone plans to be there at the same time we should meet up!

Hello! Curious if any petite women have bought any of the Metolius haul bags? I’m looking at the smallest one (sentinel 46L) to use as a crag pack & backup haul bag & wondering if smaller women can properly fit the waist & shoulder straps to your body for carrying heavier loads?

Lisa Ellerin wrote:

Hello! Curious if any petite women have bought any of the Metolius haul bags? I’m looking at the smallest one (sentinel 46L) to use as a crag pack & backup haul bag & wondering if smaller women can properly fit the waist & shoulder straps to your body for carrying heavier loads?

Good question! I’m not petite (5’8’”) but I have a really short torso and the mid-size Metolius haul bag (Half Dome) fits me fine. And not that my waist is particularly small, but it seems to me that the waist band is highly adjustable. One thing you could do is try Beth Rodden on social media - she is 5’ even, and sponsored by Metolius, and maybe she would reply!  Or else, you could post in one of the women-focused Facebook groups like Womxn Who Climb or Rock Climbing Women and you might get more replies.

Lisa Ellerin wrote:

Hello! Curious if any petite women have bought any of the Metolius haul bags? I’m looking at the smallest one (sentinel 46L) to use as a crag pack & backup haul bag & wondering if smaller women can properly fit the waist & shoulder straps to your body for carrying heavier loads?

I’m not a woman- and I’m far from petit! But I can confirm that the Metolius HaulBag suspensions are miserable in all sizes!

talk to Luke at RunOut Customs, maybe he makes adjustments for smaller size body’s.. I have a MOAB and I’m never going back to Metolius.. 

his DIAD is the size you’re looking for.. 

https://www.runoutcustoms.com/store/p36/DIAD_HAULBAG.html