Posts Tagged ‘Chicks Rock’

« Older Entries

Post-turkey Gossip!

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Here on the Chicks Climbing Gossip Report you can catch up on all of the great gossip (articles, videos, and other assorted cool stuff) we talked about over the past week at Chicks Climbing. As we approach the crushing madness that is the holiday season, remember that the gift of a Chicks clinic is definitely one that will continue to give for years to come! So think about signing up your sister, mom, aunt, cousin, girlfriend – whoever it is that’s special to you – for a life-changing experience at Chicks with Picks!

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend with friends and family. We are excited for a couple of new posts we’ve got ready for the Chicks blog this week including a trip report from Chicks Girly Guide Dannika Gilbert who’s been getting on some early season ice in the Ouray area along with a Chicks sighting to report as well! So stay tuned :-)

All of the other articles we linked to this past week through either the Chicks Climbing Twitter account, or on the Chicks Climbing Facebook fan page (and some on both!). We provide this wrap-up because we come across a TON of great resources each week, but understand that not everyone is online all the time, or even on both (or either) of these social media platforms. So you can check here each and every week for the latest and greatest in Chicks Climbing resources.

However, we know WE may have also missed some cool stuff this week, so if there is something of interest we missed that you came across this week please, let us know so we can share with everyone else!

Climbing
- Tips for (& good reasons to) make the switch to leashless climbing of the ice and mixed variety:  http://bit.ly/uZycf2
- Emily Harrington & the figure four: http://bit.ly/smcDWD
- See powerful video of ice climbing accident & self-rescue, along with thoughtful analysis from Will Gadd:  http://ht.ly/7H7cg
- Some good tips for proper gear to wear when rock climbing during this shoulder season to stay warm! http://bit.ly/uVPLch
- Sarah (@cdnrockiesgirl) shares what it’s like to be a first-time route setter at the climbing gym:  http://ht.ly/7FbjT
- Our friend Paul-Baptiste Baca (@paukku) was recently given a kickass birthday gift, which he named Koskenkorva Martini (5.10a)  http://bit.ly/rDNRFm
- Q&A with badass climber Chick Angie Payne: http://bit.ly/suj328
- Check out the latest, most updated clinic schedule for Ice Fest 2012!! http://www.scribd.com/doc/73364789/2012-Clinic-Template-V4-2
- Congrats to Sonnie Trotter for the only 2nd ascent of The Prophet (5.13d R) on El Cap. http://bit.ly/uXfjbd
- Ready to climb out of fall into winter? Check out a preview of upcoming 2011-2012 ice festivals: http://bit.ly/tWyrMx
- Nice profile on @SterlingRope climber Leslie Timms: http://bit.ly/vOf8xs
- Whoa! 5.15 in the Red? http://bit.ly/sZxuQ4
- The Smiley’s have 8 climbs planned for 2012 as they continue their 50 Classics ticklist – but they need your help: http://vimeo.com/32425674
- Tommy Caldwell steps away from the Dawn Wall project…until next year:  http://bit.ly/tMztTc
- Jenn Flemming’s “Fraid Line” 5.13R with a PINK Sterling Rope (@SterlingRope) Nano 9.2: http://bit.ly/ugL48m
- Big City Mountaineers (@bigcitymtneers) just announced a Mount Shasta all-women’s climb! bit.ly/rOKfMT
- Check out the French Alpine club excellence team climbing free on some serious big walls in Yosemite http://ow.ly/7EWmC

Gear
- The Petzl (@Petzl) Lynx Crampons are on this Chick’s wish list! See what else is on The Gear Caster’s (@thegearcaster) gift guide for climbers: http://bit.ly/u4VtRW
- Chicks gear tester Sara B. liked this piece from our sponsors at Columbia Sportswear (@Columbia1938) so much that she wore it 3 days in a row in Zion: http://bit.ly/tQYQLP
- Staying connected is critical for Krysia (@ventrsomekrysia) who reviews The North Face (@thenorthface) eTip gloves: http://bit.ly/sWyLmh

Inspiration
- You can’t help but smile watching these young Chicks crushing! http://ht.ly/7H7HR

Training & Nutrition
- Art or food? Or both?? Paul-Baptiste Baca’s (@Paukku) Holiday Harvest Loaf http://bit.ly/uZwoHT
- Great tips from Elizabeth (@eliz_rocks) on staying healthy mentally & physically when schedules get crazy (i.e. the holidays?!) http://bit.ly/uKyrXQ
- Rock climbing one of the Top 5 Sports for a full body workout http://ow.ly/7ByFb 

Trip Reports
- New trip report from Erica (@cragmama) who also demonstrates an awesome SEND at Dixon: http://bit.ly/vuz8sp

Fun Stuff
- Citibank commercial featuring Katie Brown & Alex Honnold! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE4bcq8Plzk

If you have a blog entry that you think would be of interest to the women of Chicks Climbing please let us know! We love getting contributed content from other women – anything from trip reports, nutrition and training tips, to videos. We want to share your resources with the community – much like we do with the Gossip Report and are more than happy to re-publish and share links on behalf of the women’s climbing community!

This week’s Gossip Report is brought to you by our sponsors at Columbia Sportswear!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Read the Gossip | No Comments »

Red Rock wrap up!

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Tape gloves! Photo by Dawn Glanc.

Chicks Rock! wrapped up the rock climbing season with the fall Red Rock clinic hosted by Dawn Glanc and Kitty Calhoun.

The clinic was a complete success. Six women came to Vegas to enjoy the warm sun and amazing rock climbing.

The weather was perfect, each day was sunny with little to no wind.

The Chicks in attendance had three solid days of climbing, experiencing both face climbing and crack climbing.

Each chick came with her own set of goals and each her goal and exceeded her expectations of ability.

It was a great weekend and an excellent way to wrap up the rock season.

- Dawn Glanc

*We have been collecting photos from the Chicks who attended the Red Rock clinic and compiling an album which you can check out here on Facebook or on Flickr here.*

- Emily trusting her feet. Photo by Dawn Glanc.

- Sarah sending the crux. Photo by Dawn Glanc

- Red Rock scenery. Photo by Dawn Glanc.

What’s next for Chicks? Ice climbing in just a few months! Here’s what we have planned:

The Sampler
Jan. 13–16, check out the 17th

The Complete
Jan. 25–29, check out the 30th

The Quickie
Feb. 3-5, check out morning of the 5th

The Graduate
Feb. 3-6, check out the 7th

We hope to see lots of you out in Ouray! Please contact us at Chicks if you’ve got any questions or want to sign up for a clinic. :)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Trip Reports | 1 Comment »

Chicks still rocking as we roll closer to ice season!

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Here on the Chicks Climbing Gossip Report you can catch up on all of the great gossip (articles, videos, and other assorted cool stuff) we talked about over the past week at Chicks Climbing. This morning our last Chicks of 2011 are out doing some multi-pitch climbing with Dawn and Kitty in Red Rock. We hope all of our Red Rock gals had a great time this past weekend – thanks for joining us at our last event of the YEAR! So, what does that mean? Next up is ICE CLIMBING! Check out our complete list of Chicks with Picks clinics for 2012 here.

Last week we posted a great trip report from Chicks alumna Tonya Graham, who’s been out to our Chicks Rock! and Chicks with Picks clinics. It was Tonya’s first time as “the most experienced climber” out on a lead, and she headed up the three-pitch “Sundial Crack” at Looking Glass. If you missed it, make sure you read all about her lead & lessons learned here.

Last week we also posted a blog from the Head Chick called “Consciously by Choice” which is an article written for her Mind over Mountains Life Coaching blog. It’s a really fantastic read that you don’t want to miss – check it out here.

All of the other articles we linked to this past week through either the Chicks Climbing Twitter account, or on the Chicks Climbing Facebook fan page (and some on both!). We provide this wrap-up because we come across a TON of great resources each week, but understand that not everyone is online all the time, or even on both (or either) of these social media platforms. So you can check here each and every week for the latest and greatest in Chicks Climbing resources.

However, we know WE may have also missed some cool stuff this week, so if there is something of interest we missed that you came across this week please, let us know so we can share with everyone else!

Climbing
- In her own words Sasha DiGiulian (@sashadigiulian) on achieving her lifelong goal of sending a 9a (5.14d) on Pure Imagination: http://bit.ly/o9H6j3
- Adidas got some sweet shots of Sasha DiGiulian climbing Pure Imagination: http://on.fb.me/qd9ZrW
- Another chick logs a 5.14b at Rifle! This time it’s Emily Harrington (@emilyaharringto) on Waka Flocka. Congrats! http://bit.ly/nEeDEI
- I like this story from Rock & Ice (@RockandIce): “Rude Awakening: American Women Climbing Harder” http://bit.ly/rbfX0I
- Rockstar! Two V10′s in a day?! Go Nina!  http://bit.ly/nmz2QG
- What has Liz Sansoz been up to? Recovering from injury & getting back into climbing:  http://bit.ly/psijpB.
- Do you suck at climbing? ClimbTalk Radio’s Dave McAllister: On Sucking: In Three Acts: http://ow.ly/73yWf
- New interview with Alex Honnold. [Re: Solos:] “…If anything they’ve gotten less crazy…”  http://ht.ly/6ZBTp
- Thanks Black Diamond (@BlackDiamondUSA) for the testing & info.! QC Lab: Wet vs. Dry runner strength http://bit.ly/nXOetb
- Did you know Rock & Ice magazine (@RockandIce) archives its ice climbing gear articles and gear reviews here: http://rockandice.com/articles/gear/ice-climbing-gear
- Cool new route profile from AAI (@AlpineInstitute) on Johnny Vegas at Red Rock:  http://bit.ly/rjCly8
- There’s no crying in climbing…http://bit.ly/oPIR7Y
- 5.8+ Discussion on Super Topo (@SuperTopo) that is pretty entertaining.  http://ht.ly/71cPD
- On a related note…”Best 5.8s” article: http://ht.ly/72M9a
- A smart approach to unlocking harder grades in your climbing: http://bit.ly/qvVWSa
- The correlation between dedicating time to onsighting rock climbing this summer in prep for ice climbing this winter. New on Outdoor Research (@ORGEAR) blog http://bit.ly/onTvaS
- Wow! This might be one of the most beautiful “climbing El Cap” shots we’ve seen. http://teton.outerlocal.com/climbing/elcap-report-101611-outpost
- Climbing folks, any interest in this idea? Right now just gauging interest.  http://bit.ly/rcHcB7
- Everything you ever wanted to know about carabiners but never dared to ask http://bit.ly/r8lHpt
- The Access Fund (@accessfund) is out doing some great work with their conservation team!  http://bit.ly/proiI4

News
- The American Alpine Climb (@AmericanAlpine) American Alpine Journal available to all climbers again!  http://ht.ly/73pwd
- Another excellent roundup of this week’s climbing and outdoor news from AAI (@AlpineInstitute):  http://bit.ly/q0dngd
- Book review of Andy Kirkpatrick’s new book “Cold Wars” from Nich (@triplewicky) - http://bit.ly/nF78RG
- The gals Vertical Girl (@VerticalGirl) have a BRAND NEW website with lots of awesome pics of kickass chicks! http://bit.ly/pFJfWf Way to go!

Gear
- Splitter Choss (@SplitterChoss) has some good reasons for wearing a helmet & wants you to wear one too!  bit.ly/prIGXO
- Gear review of the Feathered Friends Hummingbird Sleeping Bag – ultralite for those “emergency” bivy’s -  http://bit.ly/nXrdc3
- Whitney (@Whitneyio) reviews Black Diamond trekking poles: http://ow.ly/73y4W
- Chicks on the Keen (@KEEN) blog! http://bit.ly/nyP3fM

Inspiration
- Surviving a 100-foot fall, Paradox Sports’ (@paradox_sports) Craig DeMartino in a new episode of “The Season”  http://bit.ly/nByAyS
- Have you seen the trailer for this film “Miss Representation” yet? Looks like a powerful message: http://on.fb.me/ps6Rp4
- Successful Failure: A Rope, a Rack and an Osprey Pack on my Back http://bit.ly/ncxj6W

Trip Reports
- So many opportunities it seems in Greenland climbing! Here’s a report from the Alpinist (@AlpinistMag) on 5km of new lines of Greenland climbing: http://bit.ly/n1TMgq

Fun Stuff
- Some super fun Halloween costume ideas on Adventure Inspired (@AdvInspired): http://bit.ly/pztMqb
- Sick of getting chased on your bike? How to Bark Down a Dog from Brendan at Semi-Rad:  http://ow.ly/73w93
- Great gift-giving ideas from Eileen (@rockgrrl) - she just updated her climbing wall calendars & print calendars for 2012 http://www.rockgrrl.com/cgi-bin/shop/rockgrrl.cgi/calendars

If you have a blog entry that you think would be of interest to the women of Chicks Climbing please let us know! We love getting contributed content from other women – anything from trip reports, nutrition and training tips, to videos. We want to share your resources with the community – much like we do with the Gossip Report and are more than happy to re-publish and share links on behalf of the women’s climbing community!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Read the Gossip | 1 Comment »

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…(ROCKtober!)

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Here on the Chicks Climbing Gossip Report you can catch up on all of the great gossip (articles, videos, and other assorted cool stuff) we talked about over the past week at Chicks Climbing. We at Chicks have just one final climbing event this year, and that is our Chicks Rock! intensive clinic at Red Rock Canyon Oct. 20-23, with an optional multi-pitch day Oct. 24 – this weekend! After this weekend it is going to be all about the ICE baby, start to get your winter planned by checking out our 2012 Chicks with Picks ice climbing clinics here.

Last week we wrapped up our #whyiclimb giveaway sponsored by Marmot which had some really sweet prizes! Grand prize winner Hailey H. from Bozeman, MT took home the Marmot Limelight 2-person tent and a Marmot Mavericks 20 Semi Rec synthetic sleeping bag. We also had three other entrants that scored a Marmot Cam 15 pack and those winners were Sarah, Anne & George! Congratulations to all, and thanks so much to everyone who participated. We will be having another Marmot-sponsored giveaway in a couple of months, just in time for the holidays!

Last week we also posted a video sent in by Girly Guide Caroline George, of her and the other First Ascent Chicks climbing big mountains, scaling some impressive water ice, and ripping it downhill. Check it out and get inspired here!

All of the other articles we linked to this past week through either the Chicks Climbing Twitter account, or on the Chicks Climbing Facebook fan page (and some on both!). We provide this wrap-up because we come across a TON of great resources each week, but understand that not everyone is online all the time, or even on both (or either) of these social media platforms. So you can check here each and every week for the latest and greatest in Chicks Climbing resources.

However, we know WE may have also missed some cool stuff this week, so if there is something of interest we missed that you came across this week please, let us know so we can share with everyone else!

Climbing
- Oh yeah! Sasha DiGiulian (@sashadigiulian) sends the 5.14d “Pure Imagination” in the Red. Congrats!!!  http://bit.ly/nnDVHR
- In her own words Sasha DiGiulian (@sashadigiulian) on the World Cup Finals and what’s next for her climbing: http://www.sasha-digiulian.com/blog
- The Climbing Narc (@climbingnarc) has a great interview with Mayan Smith-Gobat after she freed the Salathé Wall (5.13b)  http://bit.ly/nLDE6D 
- Great Q&A from Will Gadd on rappel knots and V-threads for ice climbing http://bit.ly/qn1tkQ
- Awesome D-I-Y on making leashless ice tool umbilical tethers from the Alpine Institute  http://bit.ly/rtnLUZ 
- Great tips and tricks from Splitter Choss (@splitterchoss) for those planning on making a fall trip to the Creek! http://bit.ly/qErCJO 
- Thanks to the American Alpine Institute for this great list of climbing events in October & November:  http://bit.ly/ousvDC
- San Juan Mountain Guides checked out Camp Bird Road & reported that ice is starting to form!  http://bit.ly/qXnhO7
- New Girl Beta from Dairy Canyon & Raiden Areas at Joe’s Valley, UT: http://bit.ly/plgHQI
- New blog from Alli Rainey (@allirainey) on why she’s come to love the steep walls of the Red:  http://bit.ly/qgZpX5
- Injured & in Yosemite with young, healthy climbers, Lizzy (@LizzyBScully) reflects on what to be thankful for: http://bit.ly/qnB6v8
- Story’s been out a few days but it’s a lot of fun to read more and see more pics of the world’s hardest offwidth: http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/worlds_hardest_offwidth_report_and_photos/
- Great footage and music of Caroline George’s climbing trip to Jordan with Sarah Garlick: http://bit.ly/oatdFi
- Pretty cool list of 10 different mountains for every kind of climber: http://bit.ly/rlObK3
- Indoor ice climbing! Who’s in? http://bit.ly/qFzejs
- Climbing with Kids is Fun: http://tinyurl.com/3zaj9vt
-  Wouldn’t you hate to be climbing when something like this happens? http://ow.ly/6SKjp

News
- This week’s climbing and outdoor news from AAI (@AlpineInstitute): http://bit.ly/oUfEKq
- Climbers Charged for Climbing New Haven’s East Rock. No Rope, No Helmets, in Tennis Shoes http://www.climberism.com/climbers-charged-for-climbing-new-havens-east-rock/
- Evolv adds Steph Davis to their team: http://bit.ly/rq51OF

Gear
- New Crampons for the Upcoming Winter Sports Season http://bit.ly/pIeS7y
- Review of the Merrel Tetra Launch boots new at GearGals: http://geargals.com/2011/10/10/merrell-tetra-launch-boots/
- How much do you need to spend on a tent? Check out our tent buying guide for helpful recommendations  http://bit.ly/qGMV10
- First Ascent MicroTherm Down Shirt Review: http://www.thegearcaster.com/the_gearcaster/2011/10/first-ascent-microtherm-down-shirt-review.html
- New gear review from Jill (@Geargals) of some really cute Sorel “Cate the Great” boots!  http://bit.ly/og7Lx6

Training & Nutrition
-  How yoga can help a Mountain Diva stay active: http://bit.ly/rh0Evx
- New post from Tali (@cupcakemafia) “What’s Cooking? aka The Door-to-Door Organics Kitchen Recipe Finder” ow.ly/6V838
- Great article in Women’s Adventure (@womensadventure) to get you totally ready for the ski/snowboard season: http://bit.ly/pYlHwA

Inspiration
- Great interview with climber Majka Burhardt (@majkaburhardt) up now at Adventure-Inspired on her latest project involving coffee & Ethiopia: http://bit.ly/rdjWQi
- Chasing powder dreams – a love story in 13 short minutes, see why Outdoor Research’s (@ORGEAR) “Downhill Affair” is a must-see film: http://bit.ly/pUqqVR

Trip Reports
- GREAT Trip Report from Ines Papert of her third attempt at the South-East face of Mount Kyzyl Asker: http://bit.ly/ofQ2d1
- New trip report from Hayley (@climbrunliftmom) on her weekend climbing in the City of Rocks:  http://bit.ly/n5Xd4O

Fun Stuff
- LOVE THIS! Jill (@Geargals) made a list of the 5 reasons to date outdoorsy women (including the minor downsides!) http://bit.ly/pseKun
- Why are obscure climbs obscure? Jenn Fields (@jennfields) finds out in another hilarious Field Notes column: http://bit.ly/q1eX0w

If you have a blog entry that you think would be of interest to the women of Chicks Climbing please let us know! We love getting contributed content from other women – anything from trip reports, nutrition and training tips, to videos. We want to share your resources with the community – much like we do with the Gossip Report and are more than happy to re-publish and share links on behalf of the women’s climbing community!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Read the Gossip | No Comments »

SENDtember is in full swing & it shows in this week’s Gossip Report!

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Here on the Chicks Climbing Gossip Report you can catch up on all of the great gossip (articles, videos, and other assorted cool stuff) we talked about over the past week at Chicks Climbing. If you are reading this, it’s probably Monday (maybe Tuesday for some of you) so that means our New River Gorge Girly Gathering clinic has successfully wrapped up and I am off to Yosemite for the week. So, this Gossip Report was prepared early, on Saturday, September 24, ahead of my Sunday departure and it’s still quite a whopper! Make no mistake, SENDtember is in full swing! However,because I’ll be busy playing in Yosemite this week, there will not be a Gossip Report next week. But don’t worry, it will only be a one-week lapse! Why am I going to Yosemite? Well, to climb of course! Fall is a great time for climbing as many of you know, and Chicks does have one final climbing event this year, and that is our Chicks Rock! intensive clinic at Red Rock Canyon Oct. 20-23, with an optional multi-pitch day Oct. 24. Get all the details on our final 2011 event of the year here!

Last week we posted a blog from one of our 2011 Chicks with Picks alumna, Almine Barton who wrote about her first ice climbing experience in Ouray and tells us “once you drink the frozen vertical ‘Kool-Aid’ you don’t go back.” Check out what she wrote about her experience here.

We also posted a lovely blog from the Head Chick called “This I Believe” – check it out to learn how and why Kim got to where she is today, by believing in herself. It’s powerful stuff that you can read here.

All of the other articles we linked to this past week through either the Chicks Climbing Twitter account, or on the Chicks Climbing Facebook fan page (and some on both!). We provide this wrap-up because we come across a TON of great resources each week, but understand that not everyone is online all the time, or even on both (or either) of these social media platforms. So you can check here each and every week for the latest and greatest in Chicks Climbing resources.

However, we know WE may have also missed some cool stuff this week, so if there is something of interest we missed that you came across this week please, let us know so we can share with everyone else!

Anyone interested in being a farmer this winter? An ice farmer that is, because the Ouray Ice Park (@OurayIcePark) has openings!

Climbing
- New Female Nose Speed Record: http://ht.ly/6zK5h
- Jen Vennon sends the 5.14b “Stockboy’s Revenge” in less than stellar conditions http://rockandice.com/news/1619-revenge-is-hers-first-female-ascent-of-stockboys-revenge-514b
- In her own words, Jen Vennon gives the play-by-play of her last Saturday send of 5.14b Stockboy’s Revenge:  shttp://ht.ly/6B0PJ
- Amazing ticklist Sasha DiGiulian (@sashadigiulian) has going from Spain which includes: one 5.14c, one 5.14b, four 5.14a’s, four 5.13d’s, and four 5.13c’s…in 3 weeks!  http://ht.ly/6A1O4
- In her own words…Update from Sasha DiGiulian after her 3-week amazing (SENDing) trip to Spain: http://ht.ly/6ClFx
- Video of awesome climbing mom Monique Forestier sending the 8b “Staring at the Sun” in Australia: http://bit.ly/qbOVyN
- Projecting hard routes can be stressful. So, can you still have fun asks Splitterchoss: http://ht.ly/6zK0S
- Bookmark this –> Climbing in Patagonia doesn’t have to mean bad weather and epic excursions  http://ht.ly/6AWQq
- Great blog post from AAI (@AlpineInstitute) on maximizing your chances for rappelling safely:  http://ht.ly/6A1y6
- Injury prevention should be the number one goal of every climber: http://bit.ly/qYmpWn
- Get ready for the upcoming ice season at the Alpine Training Center: http://ht.ly/6BTHX
- DIY project from The Trails Edge (@thetrailsedge): Build a Bouldering Wall in Your Backyard  http://www.trailsedge.com/blog/building-a-backyard-bouldering-wall/
- Awesome, and easy-sounding DIY project from Erica (@cragmama) on how to build your own stick clip: http://ht.ly/6CUxy
- Steph Davis (@highsteph) is engaged! Congratulations! She announced it in this article where she also talks about base jumping,  climbing & more: http://ht.ly/6D4F1
- Katie Levy (@k8tlevy) wrote a great post about taking a break from climbing in order to regain the psych: http://ht.ly/6yq2K
- I’d say most climbers have felt this at one time or another: Accepting my wimpy side by Whitney (@whitneyio): http://ht.ly/6AKzq
- For a new climber or those only climbing top rope, sometimes it may be better to not worry about ratings before trying a route. New, from Andy Ryan (@aframe) “Ratings? meh…” http://ht.ly/6BcAj
- Thinking of ice season? Want to get sweaty palms? Here’s a video some of you may have already seen, Steve House soloing Repentance and Remission: http://bit.ly/qJ7Ylo
- OMG, these two Australians in the new Rock & Ice (@Rockandice) video are so funny as they talk about working on “Punks in the Gym”: http://ht.ly/6Dd2d
- Need a pick-me-up video? How about this oldie but goodie of Lynn Hill bouldering at Hueco Tanks:  http://youtu.be/7WfL3dVEgeQ
- Great Climb Find (@climbfind) hero report on kickass climber Dorothea Karalus: http://ht.ly/6AXpB
- Freedom Climb: Raising 10,000 women to better lives: http://ht.ly/6ztZt
- The latest Rock & Ice (@Rockandice) TNB which has Taige soloing for the first time, at night…with brew monkeys: http://ht.ly/6CUTt
- Who got you started in climbing? Krysia shares that it was her 5-year-old son! http://ht.ly/6BcvL
- Video of a 4-year-old lead climbing in the gym – the amazing spider boy http://ht.ly/6CcGe
- Old pieces of climbing gear that never caught on (thank goodness!) from Super Topo (@SuperTopo)  http://ht.ly/6BUbp
- Are you a female guide interested in being program director? Making a positive impact on girls? Apply! http://ht.ly/6zCtC

News
- Represent the AAC on a Climbing Trip to Scotland – now taking applications: http://ht.ly/6A0gh
- This week’s AAI (@alpineinstitute) climbing and outdoor news, which includes Dawn’s wedding!  http://ht.ly/6Cc26
- Whoa, ankle ouch! Climber stops himself from 1,300-foot fall with crampons: http://ht.ly/6DEtn

Gear
- Wow, these Petzl (@Petzl) LYNX crampons look pretty sweet, you can modify them in several different ways!  http://ht.ly/6yrh7
- $50 Voucher for $25 at Vertical Girl right now at GearTribe (@GearTribe) http://bit.ly/oPlL5K
- Adventure Inspired (@AdvInspired) is having a Sierra Designs super sale in partnership with Gear 66 (@Gear_66) bit.ly/pYuidm
- The Mountain Diva explains why Ibex wool layers are her favorite choice to stay warm with this fall: http://www.mountaindiva.net/2011/09/23/wool-the-base-layer-of-choice-for-this-mountain-diva-2/

Training & Nutrition
- How do you deal with injury? A new post from Amy (@expandoutdoors): http://ht.ly/6zDh8
- Overnight oatmeal from Rochelle (@clymberchick) who says “this may be the only reason I left my warm snuggly bed this morning”: http://ht.ly/6BKsl

Inspiration
- Injuries are sometimes a blessing in disguise – Krysia (@ventrsomekrysia) writes about some good things happening during her forced downtime: http://ht.ly/6AGHb
- How to deal with the “F-you stop,” from both sides, a great post from Amy (@expandoutdoors):  http://ht.ly/6BUwq

Trip Reports
- Trip report from Erica (@cragmama) on bouldering at the Grayson Highlands:  http://ht.ly/6AHbf
- Climbing, SUP-ing, kayaking, Vanessa (@vanizzle17) did it all on a trip to the New! Check out her trip report: http://ht.ly/6AX6i

Fun Stuff
- Jenn Fields’ (@jennfields) latest Field Notes is about fall & why it’s entirely too short:  http://ow.ly/6yB6U
- Guess who made Dawn Glanc’s wedding cake? Kitty Calhoun! Who knew? It was amazing – edible rocks and climbers summiting: http://ow.ly/i/hFQF

If you have a blog entry that you think would be of interest to the women of Chicks Climbing please let us know! We love getting contributed content from other women – anything from trip reports, nutrition and training tips, to videos. We want to share your resources with the community – much like we do with the Gossip Report and are more than happy to re-publish and share links on behalf of the women’s climbing community!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Read the Gossip | 3 Comments »

Chicks talk Chicks – feedback from Girly Gathering in the Dacks

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

The following is a feedback form one of the Chicks that attended our Sterling Rope-sponsored Girly Gathering in the Dacks filled out that REALLY captured the weekend event of 15 Chicks, 4 guides, 2 assistants, and the Head Chick in the heart of the Keene Valley.

First though I want to thank you for putting on such an exceptional clinic!!!  It is no small feat to have such a terrific gathering flow so seamlessly and you make it all appear so effortless.  Your guidance and vision for a women’s gathering is truly unique and elevates the total experience to a completely different learning level.  My guess is that many of your climbers come away with the huge bonus of valuable personal insights, growth and reflections on life, certainly that was my experience and thank you for that gift, it is very much appreciated!

Clinic Questionnaire 
1. Was the pre-clinic material helpful?  Did you feel prepared for the clinic?
All the preparatory information on the website was excellent from clothing lists, directions to the meeting spot and accommodation details.  Everything was right on point and gave me all the details I needed to plan the trip.

2.  How was the overall Chicks Rock experience?
The total package was amazing!  I arrived expecting to learn neat stuff about rock climbing, which I did, but the clinic was so much more than that.  Just the opportunity to hear the comments and stories from the incredibly talented guides and other climbers would have been worth the clinic price on it’s own.

3.  What did you enjoy most about the clinic?
Gotta say I loved the opportunity to climb on such beautiful rock!  A close second was the ability to connect and learn from other women, both guides and climbing chicks.. .there was a ton of fun stuff to take in.

4.  What could we do better next time?
Option of a three or maybe a four-day clinic.

 5.  Please comment on your guide.
Our guides are way beyond AWESOME!!!  They were generous, positive, always on top of what was happening technically and socially.  Those women are an inspiration, incredibly talented, fun to be with and they worked so hard to make sure we experienced the best of what’s out there!

6.  How was the camp scene ?
Loved everything about the camp set up.  Wonderful sites for gathering for the meals which were delicious.  For those of us that tented, the location and camaraderie was great.  From the online description of the camping area, I thought there might be some traffic noise but the only noise I heard was the babbling water gurgles of the river – lovely.  All this within walking distance of a coffee stop!

7.  How did the schedule work for you?
The schedule worked great.  Everything was well thought out, paced and did run like clockwork as promised.

8.  What was your highpoint?
Looking up at the rock on the first day, seeing the sunlight make the rock glow all pink and sparkly against some acrid green moss and thinking how lucky am I to have the opportunity to climb this!!!  Truly a wonderful blessing.

9.  What was your low point?
When the lightening and thunder started and we had to pack up and leave.

10.  Please share with us any other comments or ideas for next time..
I would like the opportunity to watch some of the higher level climbers or guides climb although I wouldn’t want to take away from any of our group climbing time.  I’ve never seen women climb in real life on rock except in our group… something else to look forward to.

Kim, also thank you for the serious swag you gathered from your sponsors!  Love the Julbo sunglasses, so cool!!  I feel like I am channeling the awesomely fierce chick on your Chicks Rock logo when I put them on.

MANY THANKS once again for everything!!!!!

:) Check out the photo gallery compiled from many of our Dacks Chicks here on our Facebook page to see more of the fun we had in New York!

We have one more Sterling Rope-sponsored Girly Gathering coming up at the New Sept. 23-25, you can check out all the details here!

Finally, our last Chicks Rock! event of the season is going to be back at Red Rock Canyon, Oct. 20-23, with an optional multi-pitch day Oct. 24. This will be your last chance to rock out with Chicks before ICE season! 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Chicks Experience | No Comments »

What the Chicks are saying about Devil’s Lake

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

As our Devil’s Lake Chicks have made their way home after a FUN weekend of climbing, we are compiling photos and testimony from their experience because no-one can really tell you what a clinic is like better than a Chick! Here are some of the wonderful comments we’ve gotten already!

Devils Lake 2011. WOW! I went alone nudging myself outside of my comfort zone. What I came back with is immeasurable. So amazing how the nuances of climbing translate SO much to our personal lives. I am SO grateful to have the opportunity to hang with such amazing mentors. Thank you for giving me the confidence to dig a little deeper. All I can say is, WOW! I miss you all already!!

- Tracey Wierman

Just wrapped up Chicks Climbing weekend at Devils Lake! What an experience! All the guides are beautiful strong women, everyone was so inspirational! Chicks rock! An experience that was priceless! Thank you so much for a tough weekend of climbing, for pushing me out of my comfort zone, for being YOU!

- Kimberly Sprecher

Thanks for a weekend of new friends, camaraderie, badass women and phenomenal climbing! All you women climbers out there … don’t miss out on the chance to hang with Chicks Climbing! This organization is outstanding, and getting to know a community of women climbers along with my super cool daughter just rocked. I’ll be back on another Chicks Climbing trip asap!

- Melissa McPheeters

What an awesome weekend. Thanks, Chicks. Had a blast. So inspired by all the women this weekend!

- Lydia Whitehead

I have bruises in places I didn’t know had touched the rock, but it was all quite good fun. Thanks, Chicks!

- Sarah Pfatteicher

 Do you have something to add? Make sure to e-mail it to me at chicksclimbing[at]gmail.com along with any links to photo albums you would like to share as well!

Thanks to all of our Chicks for making it a wonderful weekend! :)

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in Chicks Experience | 2 Comments »

Get your gossip here (plus some upcoming deadline reminders!)

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Chicks in NYC! Thanks to Margaret for posting this at Tent & Trails!

Here on the Chicks Climbing Gossip Report you can catch up on all of the great gossip (articles, videos, and other assorted cool stuff) we talked about over the past week at Chicks Climbing!

We are nearing the end of our Chicks Ambassador Poster Plaster! Facebook’s tagging function is hit or miss right now, so if you’ve already plastered your poster please drop me a line at chicksclimbing(at)gmail(dot)com so I can make sure you are on the list for our June 1 drawing for an Osprey Hornet 24 daypack, a pair of Julbo Guide Glasses, and a Princeton Tec Fuel headlamp!

Also, another quick reminder that our special buddy deal savings of $100 is available for our Devil’s Lake clinic through May 31st.  We are beyond psyched to already have a great group of ladies signed up for the clinic, and we hope that there are some more of you thinking about joining us July 29-Aug.1 too! If you miss the May 31st cutoff for the $100 savings, we will still give you $50 off through the end of June if you sign up with a buddy. Check out the full details here.

Last week we reported on a Chicks sighting at Devil’s Lake, Wisc. (appropriately enough)! If you missed it, you can check out the details (and photos) here!

Finally, we are looking for a little help reaching out to the climbing community on the East Coast for our Girly Gatherings in New York and West Virginia this summer. So, if you are a FB friend of Chicks we’d love your help “sharing” our Dacks event info (Aug. 19-21): http://ht.ly/4YI10 as well as our New River Gorge event (Sept. 23-25): http://ht.ly/4YI3e

All of the other articles we linked to this past week through either the Chicks Climbing Twitter account, or on the Chicks Climbing Facebook fan page (and some on both!). We provide this wrap-up because we come across a TON of great resources each week, but understand that not everyone is online all the time, or even on both (or either) of these social media platforms. So you can check here each and every week for the latest and greatest in Chicks Climbing resources here on the blog.

However, we know WE may have also missed some cool stuff this week, so if there is something of interest we missed that you came across this week please, let us know so we can share with everyone else!

Quote of the week courtesy of Paul-Baptiste (@paukku): on Twitter who cited Bruce Binder asking: “How do you distinguish between being off-route and putting up a first ascent?”

Climbing
- Nice video of Sterling Rope (@SterlingRope) athlete Leslie Timms on “All That Glitters” a 5.12c trad route in the Red. http://ht.ly/4XqX0
- Should you retire dropped climbing gear? Weigh in: http://wp.me/p1pKLN-2y
- Really cool climbing on an awesome structure by an amazing climber – Sasha DiGiulian (@sashadigiulian) http://t.co/IUTCm5k
- Paul-Baptiste (@paukku) admits “I Climb Like a Girl.” http://ow.ly/4Yuz2
- Really interesting article from the AAI (@AlpineInstitute): Rope Flossing…something far more dangerous than tooth decay. http://ht.ly/4ZlUC
- Sarah (@cdnrockiesgirl) tells us all about the rock rescue course she just took with Girly Guide Sarah Hueniken: http://t.co/FKgAJ8M
- Another chick takes the lead! This time it’s Nich (@triplewicky)! http://ht.ly/50KXU
- Thinking of taking a bouldering trip with kiddos in tow? Some good lessons learned from Laura (@climbwithkids): http://ht.ly/4YG0W
- This is simply amazing! Check out this BBC video of a blind rock climber who sees with his tongue http://bbc.in/jjq4Pd

News
-It looks like the 17th Annual Ouray Ice Festival will be happening January 5th-8th, 2012! (Announced last week on the Ouray Ice Park Facebook page).
- Will you be in D.C. this week? Check out big wall free climber Madaleine Sorkin’s multiple-media show May 25: http://t.co/VLPkpI0

Training & Nutrition
- Get stronger for climbing with some pull-ups (aka tpups). Training advice from Steph Davis (@highsteph)! http://ht.ly/4XM8t
- Yay, random musings from Will Gadd (@gilwad) on training and nutrition: http://ht.ly/4ZCEU
- Lauren (@theclimbingchef) has a new post with a recipe for Snakebite Granola Bars  http://t.co/be0Ow3d

Gear
- RT @splitterchoss Petzl GRIGRI2 Review http://bit.ly/jK7EIR Bottom line: this thing rocks so hard you should have already bought one! #climb

Fun Stuff
- Sweet contest on Katie Levy’s (@k8tlevy) Adventure Inspired to win a fun & funky chalk bag from practical climbing! http://ht.ly/4Xqrf
- THIS is one well-loved (and well-worn) Chicks T-shirt! http://ow.ly/i/bMyr

Inspiration
-FANTASTIC post from Erika of @redheadwriting: How do you carry what you own? A blog post for human beings: http://ht.ly/4XwPB
- How Krysia (@ventrsomekrysia) created her own fairy tale happy ending! http://ht.ly/4Xx22
- The Head Chick got a little nice press in Ode (Intelligent Optimists): http://ht.ly/4Zn6P
- Wonderful new post from Erica (@cragmama) who reminds us to stop and look around at the top of a climb & in life: http://ht.ly/50M9J

Trip Reports
- Wonderful pictures in @lstefurak ‘s Trip Report from Indian Creek http://bit.ly/k1UGEa

If you have a blog entry that you think would be of interest to the women of Chicks Climbing please let us know! We love getting contributed content from other women – anything from trip reports, nutrition and training tips, to videos. We want to share your resources with the community – much like we do with the Gossip Report and are more than happy to re-publish and share links on behalf of the women’s climbing community!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Read the Gossip | No Comments »

Chicks sighting at Devil’s Lake!

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

We have a Chicks sighting to report from Wisconsin, the site of our next Chicks Rock! clinic at Devil’s Lake!

Anne Hughes writes in and reports: Vera Naputi and I spent Mother’s Day bouldering at Devil’s Lake.

Her older daughter Emma and my two adult kids, Sam and Kelsey couldn’t be there but her little ones Misa and John-Pio made it so fun I couldn’t decide whether to climb or just play in the dirt with them.  I always have that dilemma when I’m at the lake with Misa and John-Pio.

Climbing nanny is one of my many hats!  Attached are pics of us and the kids and Vera’s husband Brad Werntz (Pemba Serves).  The pads in the picture are two little kid-sized boulder pads that fold like big ones and can be carried on the little backs of these wee climbers.  SOOOooo cute!

It looks like a fantastic day of climbing was had by all!

Thanks for sending in the Chicks sighting, Anne! If you have a Chicks sighting to report please let us know at chicksclimbing(at)gmail(dot)com!

Also, for those of you thinking about coming out to join us at Devil’s Lake, our special “Buddy Deal” pricing to help save you $100 from the cost of the clinic ends May 31. However, we will still offer a $50 off “Buddy Deal” through June 30 so don’t delay! Check out all the details on the Devil’s Lake Buddy Deal here! :)

Tags: ,
Posted in Chicks Sightings | 2 Comments »

Chicks head out on spring break, leave you with a little gossip!

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Here on the Chicks Climbing Gossip Report you can catch up on all of the great gossip (articles, videos, and other assorted cool stuff) we talked about over the past week at Chicks Climbing! Just a head’s up – we at Chicks may be a little hard to reach over the next few weeks – the social media Chick (me!) is headed to Canada for a little backcountry fun, so our social media channels will be quiet for the next week (in fact, I wrote this post on Friday, so any weekend climbing news isn’t included!). The Head Chick will be visiting family in Arizona, and then taking off for a trip to Brazil which will have her largely unavailable through the 15th of April, and our office Chick Jill, will be gone for the first week and a half in April. So, please bear with us as we “close” for a little spring break fun! :)

This past week at Chicks we announced a special “Buddy Deal” for our Chicks Rock! Devil’s Lake women’s intensive clinic, which will be held July 29-Aug. 1. Check out all the details of our special deal which could save you up to $100 here.

We also published a wonderful interview with Carol, a 66-year-old 5.11 climber who didn’t even tie into a rope until the age of 42. If you want to be inspired by this mother, grandmother, and Bikram yoga teacher click here!

Finally, we posted a new video of Girly Guide Caroline George climbing on some epic routes in Thailand. Thanks to our sponsors First Ascent for the share – check it out here!

All of the other articles we linked to this past week through either the Chicks Climbing Twitter account, or on the Chicks Climbing Facebook fan page (and some on both!). We provide this wrap-up because we come across a TON of great resources each week, but understand that not everyone is online all the time, or even on both (or either) of these social media platforms. So you can check here each and every week for the latest and greatest in Chicks Climbing resources here on the blog.

However, we know WE may have also missed some cool stuff this week, so if there is something of interest we missed that you came across this week please, let us know so we can share with everyone else!

We have two fun quotes this week to share! The first from Teri on Twitter to Steph Davis after reading her PMS article: “I <3 the idea of you freeing El Cap in a day while PMSing. Anyone else would have been like, fuck this rock and the horse it rode.”

The second, from our featured Chick Carol who said of her interview: ‘Just trying to open a door for you so you don’t listen to those who say “you can’t.” When people say that to you as you get older, and THEY WILL, just say, “Oh yeah, watch this!” and leave them in your dust!’

Climbing
- Do you ever let PMS get the best of you while climbing? Good advice from Steph Davis (@highsteph) on how to deal with it: http://ht.ly/4iXJw
- Excellent analysis of how ice climbing differs from rock in MANY ways by Will Gadd:  http://ht.ly/4jREn (this is a MUST read!)
- Great interview with Sasha Diguilian, the kickass chick sending 5.14s at the Red this week:  http://ht.ly/4lVaD
- Awesome article by Jenn Fields (@jennfields) on how to train like Emily Harrington, who is getting ready for the upcoming sport climbing nationals: http://ht.ly/4lCsm
- This little girl is amazing – the future of rock climbing – only nine years old and doing lots of hard boulder problems in Hueco Tanks: http://bit.ly/fnAiG2
- How many ice tools do you need in your kit? American Alpine Institute’s Andrew explains why 6 is his magic number:  http://ht.ly/4j9ph
- Another skill for your toolbox from AAI (@alpineinstitute) – how to easily switch a rappel setup into a rope  climbing system http://ht.ly/4ke1B
- Alli Rainey (@allirainey) on a new climbing area being developed near her in WY, and why it makes her appreciate a little choss: http://ht.ly/4lGkO
- To quote the Alpinist, here’s “a little bit of afternoon climbing porn” – Norweigan ice to be exact!  http://ht.ly/4kZTS – enjoy!
- Moms you can keep climbing! Another great site from a Climber Chick (Laura) who is still getting after it! Read about how she and her partner (@climbwithkids) packed for and handled a 4 & 2 year old while bouldering recently: http://ht.ly/4iZKu
- Our website developer & Outdoor Research athlete Jason Nelson on the exhausting work of setting up mixed routes in Ouray: http://ht.ly/4jyhp
- And more from Jason Nelson – this time new ice routes in Alaska! http://ht.ly/4lzCk

News
- Check out Eileen’s (@rockgrrl) interview with Randy Vogel, the Jtree climbing author of Jtree Guidebooks: http://ht.ly/4mpAv

Gear
- Great gear review of the Outdoor Research (@ORGEAR) Women’s Transfer Softshell by Katie Levy (@k8tlevy) - a key piece for ice climbing in Ouray! http://ht.ly/4moZG
- Tali of @cupcakemafia fame has a great post on layering to stay comfortable while outside: http://ht.ly/4mpj7

Training and Nutrition
- Very informative and in-depth post on the ins and outs of a spring detox by one of our Chicks, Almine: http://ht.ly/4mDNG
- Do you have a chronic injury from sport climbing or bouldering? If yes, help a climber researching the potential long-term effects here: http://ht.ly/4lOvE (very quick survey!)
- Help tame your elbow tendonitis with these simple stretches and tips: http://ht.ly/4moH6

Fun Stuff
- Really fun post that questions just how poor you have to be to call yourself a dirtbag: http://ht.ly/4mpoR

Inspiration
- Great post from Sarah Hueniken with her reflections on her evolution as a climber:  http://bit.ly/h5upZg

If you have a blog entry that you think would be of interest to the women of Chicks Climbing please let us know! We love getting contributed content from other women – anything from trip reports, nutrition and training tips, to videos. We want to share your resources with the community – much like we do with the Gossip Report and are more than happy to re-publish and share links on behalf of the women’s climbing community!

 

Tags: ,
Posted in Read the Gossip | No Comments »

« Older Entries
presented by marmot