When I first started climbing outdoors, I always admired “that girl.” Who is “that girl” you ask? There’s one at every crag. She’s the one that’s the obvious leader – she’s got the rack, she’s route finding, and then she effortlessly guides her partner up a difficult route that I couldn’t even comprehend top-roping, much less leading. Confident, strong, graceful – she climbs like a girl.

If you’ve read my profile, then you know I organize women’s climbing events for Sterling Rope Co. Last weekend was our 8th annual climbing event, Goddesses on the Rocks, in North Conway, NH. We had over 50 women signed up to attend clinics such as basic climbing, anchor/gear placement, self-rescue, trad climbing, rock skills, and privately guided multi-pitch climbs.

I’d like to think that we are helping to create “that girl.”

The Helmet Says it All

I’ve always climbed with guys, as I didn’t know many women who climbed outdoors. It was easier to allow them to build the anchors or lead me up multi-pitch climbs. I mean, if you were given the choice to do something that is dangerous and scary, or allow someone to do it for you, which would you choose?

Eventually, I wanted to be “that girl.” I felt strong and confident enough to start leading and building my own anchors. I asked my climbing partner to teach me how to lead. He just handed me the rack and told me to go up and put a piece of gear in every now and then. Hmmm. Time to execute Plan B - get some professional training.

Just by chance, I saw a poster for a women’s climbing event. Perfect! I signed up for a two-day intro to trad climbing clinic in North Conway. Little did I know this event would change the direction of my life.

Three other women attended the clinic with me and we spent the entire weekend plugging gear into cracks, building natural anchors, and performing mock trad leads. By the end of the weekend, I felt a new independence and confidence in my skills. I couldn’t wait to do my first lead!

Saturday's Gear Placement Clinic

I felt a connection with the other three women in the clinic and, as we all lived in the northeast, we met and practiced the skills we had just learned. We spent a beautiful, sunny day at the Echo Roof area of Whitehorse Ledge practicing easy leads. It was scary at times, but we were not to be deterred and led quite a few routes that day.

I still climb with two of the women I met in that clinic and they volunteer and help me with the Goddesses event every year. So not only did I learn valuable skills, more importantly, I made dear friends that I would trust with my life.

Last Saturday, the first day of the event, was not what I would call perfect, ideal climbing weather - temps were in the low 90s with 100% humidity. The participants gathered upstairs at International Mountain Equipment (I.M.E.) in North Conway for check-in and group organization.

Checkin' In

I rely heavily on volunteers and our sponsored climbers to instruct the clinics. Many travel from across the U.S. and down from Canada. They work these events on their own time and without them, there would be no event!

Molly Swinburne & Karin Riestad working the Gear Table

Once the groups were formed, off they went with their guides to their assigned areas around Mt. Washington Valley.

If we do not have enough instructors, I will teach a clinic, but at this event, we had plenty so my goal was to take pictures during the event and put together a slideshow to be displayed during dinner and linked to our website. After all the groups left, I headed out with my brand new camera I purchased just for this reason.

I headed to the top of Barber Wall on Cathedral Ledge to take pictures of the advanced climbing technique clinic. Even though I was hiking downhill, I was already sweating. Once I got to the top of the ledge, I took my camera out and decided to take a “scenery” shot. That’s when I discovered my batteries were dead. And of course, my extra batteries were in my car. Yeah, I am a rookie.

So, I sweated my way back up the trail to get the batteries. I returned to the top of Barber Wall and anchored myself in with some static line. I lowered myself over the edge and quickly realized that I had to turn around and face out to take pictures of the climbers coming up. I knew my anchor was good, but I glanced at it again and then I slowly turned around to face out. I was hanging off a 75’ sheer cliff. I took another quick look at my anchor. I decided to focus (no pun intended) on taking pictures of the climbers to take my mind off my high exposure.

Powering up Chicken Delight, 5.9+, Cathedral Ledge

Climber on a Guided Multi-Pitch, Cathedral Ledge

Mantling up Double V, 5.9, Cathedral Ledge

It was an absolute joy to visit each of the groups and see their smiling, happy faces and witness their eagerness to learn. There was a wonderful camaraderie within the groups; shouts of encouragement and willingness to help one another. Many women found strength within themselves that they never knew they had. Climbing is more then sending hard routes – it’s about trust and believing in yourself. Not to mention meeting wonderful, supportive new friends!

The "Trad" Girls

We finished Saturday off with a fabulous barbecue meal prepared by members of the Rock, Ice, and Ale Society (thanks guys!), of which I am a proud member, slideshow, and raffle for some rad gear and clothing to raise money for HERA Foundation, which funds ovarian cancer research.

It was another beautiful weekend, despite the rain on Sunday (yes, the women climbed in the rain), and I am now preparing to do it all over again for another women’s event at the New River Gorge, WV, at the end of the month.

If I have it my way, “that girl” will be at every crag - in multiples.

That Girl