This article is written by women in climbing for women that are new to climbing. Before diving into women-specific climbing resources, let’s identify why these are important. You may have noticed it already, but next time you’re at the crag, or the climbing gym, take note of the male-to-female ratio. More times than not, you will recognize that your gym is filled with more males than females. This is not necessarily bad, but this trend is consistent in climbing communities everywhere. And this applies to climbing communities and almost every outdoor adventure sport! The question is: why are there more males involved in climbing than females?
After noticing the usually apparent male-to-female ratio in the climbing community, compare how many female-only groups are climbing together compared to male-only groups. Or compare how many solo females are climbing compared to solo male climbers. Often, it’s much more work to find female climbers who aren’t climbing with a male counterpart or within a predominantly male group.
So what’s the deal here? Women sometimes find climbing gyms intimidating and assume they won’t be able to succeed compared to their male counterparts. Many female climbers have difficulty finding other female climbing partners and groups with the same climbing patterns and goals.
Female climbing resources are essential to bringing together the smaller female climbing communities. The resources below inspire, motivate, and keep the climbing stoke high for all female climbers (and climbers to be) out there!
Training Beta Podcast
Flash Foxy
Flash Foxy is an organization that supports women and genderqueer individuals within climbing communities everywhere. Their mission is to lower the barrier to entry, make outdoor and indoor climbing accessible, and empower women and genderqueer people worldwide. They host educational climbing classes, organize festivals and events, and provide leadership development. You can check out the website here.
Women and Nonbinary Meetups
Another resource to keep your eyes peeled for is women-only meetups at your local climbing gym. Many gyms host a ladies night or regular women-only climbing meetups from time to time. Sometimes they are organized through the gym directly, and sometimes through a third party, like Boulder Babes Coalition or Ladies Climbing Coalition.
If your local gym doesn’t have a meetup like that, you can start one! Boulder Babes Coalition is an excellent organization to bring to your own gym. All you have to do is find a “leader” (it can be you) and contact Boulder Babes, telling them which gym you want to start a meetup at.
It is empowering for everyone to bring women together. Use these resources, and search for others on your own, to become the best climber and member of the climbing community you can be!
