“We Can Do It!” Women’s Climbing in the Gunks

Over a “keyboard lunch” I came across a listing for a women’s climbing in the Gunks course. Interesting. My recent trip to the Women’s March in Washington was still fresh in my mind. I loved the camaraderie and cool people my daughter and I met. Insta-booked.

Now, I know I should wait until the end of post but… SPOILER ALERT: I really, really liked it.

The Journey Begins

A lot of these adventures actually start before you reach your class destination. Communication between you and the guide service can be dodgy. Bob, owner of HighXposure Adventures, responded to my email promptly. His clear instructions where to find trip logistics and complete the waiver helped me feel like I chose the right guides.

The actual journey started early on a sunny Saturday morning, I picked up a new friend, Alex, at 7:00 and we ventured north toward New Paltz. This was the first time we’d met in person, but a mutual friend suggested we connect due to our climbing experience. Alex recently spent a year traveling through Asia, and climbed in Thailand and Cambodia. She is very down to earth, interesting, and full of ideas. I sensed an excellent day ahead for these adventure-loving girls.

Usually, my routine is to grab a breakfast sandwich on the road. We often hit up Mountain Deli in Gardiner and I have the “Mountain Woman” sandwich: two eggs, bacon, muenster cheese, pesto, and hot sauce on a grilled hard roll. That day though, we had breakfast at home to make it to our meeting spot on time. The deli is close to The Gunks entrance and its parking area if we needed something later in the day.

Harnessing Our Power

We met at the white “HighXposure” van at 9 a.m, where our guide Bob was ready for us. Maybe you’re thinking “a man guiding a women’s class?” Yes, because he’s qualified! Would it have been nice to have a girl guide? Hell yeah! But Bob helped take our adventure from good to excellent, no complaints.

Other than the essentials like water, all we needed to bring were comfortable athletic clothes. Bob had everything else for us in his van: harnesses, helmets, chalk bags, ropes, and even climbing shoes if we needed them.

Along with Bob, we were joined by two other women. They’d never climbed outdoors, and had only climbed once before in a gym, but they’re active people and in great shape. We were all outdoors people and had lots in common, despite differences in age and climbing knowledge. Bob had a challenge that day: two total beginners, and two experienced climbers. My first thought was “how he will manage to find something for four different people that are at different skill levels.”

We came to “Carriage Road”, the easiest access to the ridge’s climbs, and Bob shared some stories. He’d taken over this business from the previous owner in 2007. He rapped about the Shawangunk area and it’s interesting geology and local history. I’d been to the Gunks a dozen times, but I didn’t know the carriage road beneath the climbs is actually a 4.7 mile circle. If you end up in The Gunks don’t feel into climbing all day, you can always, bike, run, walk and explore for amazing views.

Ready to Rock

We started with an easy route, a 5.5, so Bob could get an idea of our skill levels, strength, and pace. The girls with less experience climbed as well their first time as I’d ever seen in my life. Alex, the most experienced indoor climber in the group, had a bit less experience outdoors. Part of the reason she was excited about the class.

Bob had to explain that our climbing shoes cost over $100, but currently we’re using 20% of them. By the end of the day we’d work up to almost full usage. That’s probably the main difference between indoor and outdoor climbing. Indoor uses more upper body strength and there’s always a place for your feet. Outdoor climbing requires you to plan ahead for your feet placement.
I adore real rock because you climb it almost like a cat, considering every limb movement and always factoring in balance. Like cats though, not all of us are nimble. Among beginning climbers, women tend to have an edge due to better balance and stretching routines. As the day passed we were enjoying our routes more and more Bob would set-up two parallel ropes with an easier and a harder option, so we all had fun in the same vicinity.

Head Games

In the middle of the day we climbed near a couple who were attempting a two-pitch route. He was already up the route, and belaying her from the top. Her tone became urgent. She yelled up to her partner that she “can’t do it”, and that he’s “crazy”. She was really freaked out, and few people started to gather to see what would happen.

Bob took notice and worked to calm her down and provide a solution. After reassuring her everything is fine, he told her that she can go down, but about a foot to the right she’d find a good crag. After Bob stepped in, she was at the top in a few more moves. She had the biggest smile on her face, proud that she managed that route.

Once she was back on the ground, she thanked Bob enthusiastically. That’s when I had my “wow” moment: this exactly why you enlist a guide’s services. I knew how that woman felt. Sometimes when climbing with my husband or other expert climbers, I’m the one crying inside saying “I can’t do it.” Even the most physically strong experience moments of mental weakness on the wall. Just ask world famous free climber, Alex Honnold.

Strength in Numbers

It’s important to be comfortable when you climb. This is why classes like “Women’s Climbing” are so effective, and even more when you add a friend. The group’s bond is stronger, and there’s strength in numbers. If your first time out is with an ambitious friend, one who buries your hopes by going too big, you’ll be afraid and believe sport isn’t for you. Even if it isn’t, at least you’ll have enjoyed your day on the rocks.

An experienced guide will show you that it’s an awesome sport. It’s one of strength, stretching, and balance – rock yoga, if you will. You’ll enjoy a refreshing day in nature and add another cool story and some pictures to your book of life. But mostly Instagram. 🙂

Try A Women’s Climbing Class Today!

Based on our trips to local climbing gyms, it’s an awesome time to be a woman who climbs. Adventure sports communities like Flash Foxy connect women with similar interests. No matter your skill or comfort level, there’s usually an outdoor class to match!

If you’re looking to get into the sport, read our in-depth reviews of intro classes at local climbing gyms Cliffs LIC and Brooklyn Boulders. Experienced climber? Check out our favorite places to climb around NYC.