Chicks Alumna Interview: Amy Jurries
We love catching up with Chicks Alumna and getting inspired by their adventures – we hope you do too. Recently we caught up with Amy Jurries.
When was your first Chicks clinic?
My first Chicks was January 2008. I came to the Complete as a total beginner.
Why Chicks?
I wanted to learn how to climb vertical ice in order to tackle harder alpine climbs. I liked the idea of learning how to ice climb from women, with women as I learn better and push myself more in a supportive rather than competitive environment. Ouray is a great place to learn how to ice climb as you have the ice park a short walk from town and can run laps all day.
How many clinics do you have under your belt?
I returned to Chicks every year for the next 4-5 years, taking the Complete and eventually the Graduate program.
Why do you keep coming back?
The world class guides, the other women in the program, and the opportunity to keep progressing my skills year after year.
What have you been doing since your last Chicks clinic?
By my last Chicks clinic, I acquired enough skills to start heading out on my own (with a climbing partner of course). I continue to climb every year, traveling to places like Canada, Colorado, Montana, and even France in search of ice! We don’t get much ice here in San Francisco…. I still climb with many of the women I met at Chicks and consider them among my dearest friends.
Now you are thinking of attending another Chicks event. What is the draw?
I am heading to Iceland with Chicks this February–can’t wait! The chance to discover and climb in parts of the country or even the world where I might not go on my own was one reason to come back for more Chicks. Plus the opportunity to learn even more from the great guides in a “wild ice” environment. There is always more to learn.