Best climbing partner ever! I’m often asked, “How can I get outside and climb more?” Become a climbing asset and you’ll be well on your way to climbing to your heart’s content. The best climbing partner is competent, psyched, and able to perform a wide range of technical skills. The best climbing partner can shoulder […]
Buying a rope is one of the more complicated decisions you will make when it comes to climbing gear. To help you decide, I’ve put together my two cents on the top things to consider when it comes to making a rope purchase. 1) What Diameter? For single-pitch climbing I recommend a 9.8mm. A thicker […]
Spring showers and summer thunderstorms bring a common dilemma: How soon afterwards is it OK to climb? A few weeks ago, during our Indian Creek Clinic, it rained hard for a couple of hours. The rain began at 8pm and was followed by a strong wind. Climbing the next afternoon remained a possibility. Then it […]
What is the key to getting stronger and avoiding injury? The answer may surprise you, but before we give up the secret, let’s do a quick check-in. rock climbing season is in full swing and if you’ve been following the newsletter training tips, training and climbing hard, it’s time to stop and assess things. Recently […]
The Petzl Sirocco Helmet has been updated and is better than ever. It features top, side and rear impact zone protection which makes it the go to helmet for rock, alpine and general mountaineering. It covers more of your head, has a lower profile than it’s predecessor and weighs 170 grams, which is slightly more […]
Meet IFMGA Mountain Guide & Chicks Co-Owner Angela Hawse Outside Magazine recently interviewed Angela Hawse about her path towards becoming the sixth American Woman to become a IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide. This is a huge accomplishment and it doesn’t come easily. Aspirants spend years honing their skills in the mountains and must past a series of grueling courses […]
As climbers, we have a personal stake in the health of our outdoor landscapes—without them, we have no place to climb. But as our sport continues to grow in popularity, we are loving our climbing areas to death. Join Chicks and The Access Fund in making a few […]
What fundamental traits make for a successful rock climber? Many veterans of the sport would say leadership, adaptability, strength, confidence, patience, and composure, to name a few. None of which are traits that I would consider to be strengths of my own. I, on the other hand, am cautious and introverted. I meticulously analyze every […]
I’d like to address a common issue women often face: Lock off strength. Typically, not always, women initially rely on solid technique and great foot work to climb and they climb well. But so often I hear “Carolyn, I need to be stronger.” “Steep climbing is so hard for me.” There are times where just going […]
Are you asking yourself, what in the world is multi-pitch climbing? The answer is pretty simple but the process of multi-pitch climbing can seem daunting at first. Let’s start our with the basics. First of all, a single pitch climb is a route that you can climb without any intermediate belays. That is to say that […]