For as long as climbing has been around, women and other marginalized genders have fought for access, representation, and respect within the heavily male-centered sport of climbing. But don’t be fooled–just because they haven’t had the spotlight doesn’t mean these climbers haven’t been out there crushing since the dawn of climbing! In recent years, a new generation of climbers has emerged, breaking down gender gaps and challenging stereotypes about who can be a climber. Here are four climbers who aren’t just raising the climbing game but working to break down gender gaps in the climbing community.
Nina Williams
Nina Williams is a professional rock climber known for her impressive ascents of highball boulder problems and some of the most challenging climbs in the world! Williams holds records as one of the first few climbers to ascend routes like V10+, Too Big to Flail, and the terrifyingly high V11, Ambrosia. On these routes and many more, she became the first female ascender.
Outside of her professional and competition climbing careers, Williams has teamed up with climbing organizations like Flash Foxy and London Women’s Climbing Symposium, striving to create spaces for women and non-binary climbers. For several years, Williams focused on coaching and offering clinics at gyms nationwide to inspire and support young climbers with emerging passions for the sport.
As part of this work, Williams emphasized the importance of inclusion and representation within the climbing community and the importance of fostering strong bodies alongside strong minds. Williams once said in an interview, “I have the most respect for athletes who combine their passion and platforms in a way that contributes to the greater good of their communities. Athletic prowess is impressive, but finding ways to inspire change within the lives of others is equally as admirable.”
Cat Runner
Cat Runner has been climbing for over a decade. He has used his platform to promote greater understanding and acceptance of trans and non-binary people in the sport. Recently, you may have seen Cat Runner destroying on The Climb, a new climbing competition show featuring Jason Momoa, Chris Sharma, and Meagan Martin. Outside of crushing the competition and providing some empowering on-screen representation that the trans climbing community rarely gets, Runner has been vocal about his experience as a trans man in climbing. He has used his visibility to advocate for the rights and representation of trans climbers, as well as discuss issues that impact the trans-climbing community.
Runner is a member of the Brown Girls Climbing advisory board, which works to empower women of color in climbing. He has also been involved in developing the TransClimb project, which aims to create more inclusive climbing spaces for trans and non-binary people. Throughout his work and adventuring, Runner has emphasized the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for all climbers, regardless of gender identity or expression.
Brittany Leavitt
Brittany Leavitt is a professional climber, outdoor educator, and advocate for gender inclusivity and diversity in the rock climbing community. Leavitt co-founded Brown Girls Climbing, a non-profit organization that empowers women of color in climbing. She has also been involved in developing the Flash Foxy climbing festival, which celebrates women, gender non-conforming, and other underrepresented groups in climbing. Leavitt has also worked with organizations like Outdoor Afro and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to educate folks on how to enjoy the outdoors while making way for climbers of the global majority to access safe and inclusive outdoor adventures.
Throughout her advocacy work and ten-plus years as a climber, Leavitt has sought to challenge the gender norms and stereotypes that have historically dominated the climbing community. Leavitt has been a vocal critic of the lack of diversity in climbing media and has advocated for greater representation of women and underrepresented groups in climbing films and publications.
Lor Sabourin
Lor Sabourin is a non-binary climber dedicated to the sport for over 12 years. They’ve used their experience to promote greater understanding and awareness of gender identity and expression in the sport. Sabourin has spoken publicly about their journey with gender identity and how climbing has played a role in that process.
In addition to their advocacy work, Sabourin has been involved in community initiatives to promote gender inclusivity in climbing. They are a Climbing Association of Women member and have helped organize events and workshops focused on empowering women, trans and non-binary climbers. Sabourin has also been involved in developing gender-neutral climbing facilities and has advocated for greater access to such facilities for marginalized communities. By sharing their own experiences and working to create a more inclusive and diverse climbing community, Sabourin has become a powerful advocate for gender equity and social justice in the sport.
