Posts Tagged ‘Chicks Rock’

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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!

 

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Save big $$$, sign up for Chicks Rock! Devil’s Lake with a buddy!

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

We are excited to announce the return of the Buddy Deal for our Chicks Rock! 2011 clinic in Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin!

The Buddy Deal will amount to a $100 savings for each Chick that signs up for the clinic with a buddy by May 31, 2011. And for those who can never quite commit that early don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you! You can still get a $50 Buddy Deal if you sign up with a friend by the end of June.

This year our women’s three-day intensive clinic at Devil’s Lake is happening over a weekend, July 29-Aug. 1, so we hope to get a lot of Chicks out to this midwest climbing mecca!

To take advantage of the Buddy Deal, when you are ready to sign up for the clinic here, simply specify the friend you are signing up with, and each of you will be refunded $100 from the cost of the clinic!  This applies to both the full package affair which includes three days of climbing at a 4-1 ratio, all meals, climbing and camping gear, or the daytime package which consists of climbing lessons only.

You can get more information by checking out the complete details of our Chicks Rock! women’s intensive climbing clinic here.

And, for those of you who have already signed up for the Chicks Rock! Devil’s Lake clinic this summer, if you also want to get in on the deal all you need to do is convince one of your gal pals to sign up as well and we will give each of you the rebate!

Finally, for those within a group of three friends, please contact us at info(at)chickswithpicks.net so we can get the buddy deal savings worked out for you as well!

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Posted in Special Deals...just for Chicks | 3 Comments »

Get ready to rock with a little gossip!

Monday, March 21st, 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 this morning we announced a new price for our Sept. 23-25 New River Gorge Girly Gathering – it is now just $250 for the weekend! We also are excited to announce a special deal for one of our other Chicks Rock! clinics tomorrow, so make sure you check back for that!

Last week we had ANOTHER Chicks sighting report from Canada – see what alumnae Amy and Dara were climbing (and what Girly Guide they were climbing WITH) here.

We also posted a great video demonstration from our own Girly Guide Margo Talbot on how to sharpen ice tools. You can check that out here.

Finally, we want to encourage you to check out several available AAC grants that are up for grabs with deadlines fast approaching. The AAC wants to help fuel your adventure, and we hope more women will take advantage of the opportunity and apply! Check out all the details 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!

Climbing
- Sasha DiGiulian redpoints (and records the FFA) of Southern Smoke (5.14c) this past weekend at the RRG: http://ht.ly/4igdF
- Escaping the belay is a critical climbing skill that Aleya (@AleyaJean) tackles in her latest post:  http://ht.ly/4hiqJ
- Fun video of Nina Caprez climbing 5.13c that ought to get you motivated! http://ht.ly/4gQtJ
- Lauren reflects on bad climbing partners from the perspective of being a bad climbing partner: http://ht.ly/4fXWh
- The American Alpine Institute also weighs in on the bad & good climbing partner experience: http://ht.ly/4fZsx
- Girly Guide Dawn Glanc reflects on her experience ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies this winter: http://ht.ly/4hkz9
- It’s time to climb at Indian Creek! Here are some tips from Sheldon at Outdoor Research (@ORGEAR) on “how to fake it” until movements feel right: http://ht.ly/4f491
- Why routes should be called by their name, not grade (by @splitterchoss): http://ht.ly/4hpsJ
- Krysia (@ventrsomekrysia) shares her mental rush that happens while lead climbing – and talks about getting her certification to do so at her gym: http://ht.ly/4iKTp
- Making friends at Indian Creek – the latest from Steph Davis’ blog (@highsteph) with good info. & tips for those looking to join groups: http://ht.ly/4hPAy
- Climbing mom Erica (@EricaLineberry) gives the low down on how to handle diaper changing efficiently at the crag: http://ht.ly/4iLbG

News
- Mount Rainier climbing fees increase to $43. Youth Permits (under 24) available for $30:  http://bit.ly/eozlGQ
- This week’s outdoor climbing news from AAI (@AlpineInstitute): http://ht.ly/4gK4f

Gear
- Whitney (Whitneyio) gives the Osprey Aura 50 a 5-star review! http://ht.ly/4eqYN
- Did you know you can recycle your old climbing rope? Sterling Rope (@sterlingrope – one of our sponsors!) will take your retired rope, see more here: http://ht.ly/4hzP5
- Positive review of Rock and Resole in Boulder – giving new life to worn-out climbing shoes:  http://ht.ly/4eYTF Who’s your favorite re-soler?
- What assisted-braking device do you prefer to use? Here’s Climbing Magazine’s (@climbingmag) take on some of the models out there now: http://ht.ly/4hA7o
- Climber Paige Claassen reviews the Marmot (@Marmotpro) Rebecca Pant (long legs!):  http://ht.ly/4hPDw
- Pretty cool video on how a climbing rope is made from @spadout: http://ht.ly/4iggU

Training and Nutrition
- The Solo in Tandem (@solointandem) ladies get serious about that thing no-one wants to do in their training plan but should – REST! http://ht.ly/4eYJo

Fun Stuff
- Fun guide for outdoor dates, and which activities you should definitely avoid from Jill @geargals:  http://ht.ly/4igi6
- And while on the topic of dating…have you ever been that Chick out on a date with “Derek”? (Paragraph 1): http://ht.ly/4eqTn

Inspiration
- Outdoors can heal the spirit in “The Source of All Things”; here is Jenn Fields’ (@JennFields) review: http://ht.ly/4eV0O
- Randi, aka @UpaDownaMtnMama reflects on her conquering “an ‘impossible’ dream” ice climbing earlier this month: http://ht.ly/4gxkE
- Blog posts like this from Whitney (@whitneyio) us happy that at Chicks we are able to help women get outside!   http://ht.ly/4fXef

Trip Reports
- Trip report from new mom Erica (@EricaLineberry) whose latest climbing trip with Crag Baby was at Pilot Mountain:  http://ht.ly/4eVzN

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!

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Posted in Read the Gossip | No Comments »

Chicks sightings, opportunities for young Chicks to get on ice, and some good old gossip!

Monday, March 14th, 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 had a great Chicks sighting report from Canada where six alumnae had gathered to attend a veteran’s climbing camp put on by Girly Guide Sarah Hueniken. As Cheryl Wallace said in the report – a sentiment that is so, so true – “Once a Chick…always a Chick”; check out the complete report here – these ladies definitely had some fun!

We also posted a write-up from Kitty Calhoun who was advising on how to choose a climbing rope, which you can check out here. This will also be cross-filed for easy-reference in our Tech Talk section of the blog.

Finally, we came across a fantastic opportunity for young girls who want to give ice climbing a try. There is a scholarship in honor of Sue Nott that is available to girls between the ages of 9-17 who are willing to travel to the Michigan Ice Fest in 2012. Check out all the details here and please SHARE this opportunity with any girl you think may be interested in trying this out! It would be such an amazing opportunity to introduce a young girl to climbing at that age!

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!

The quote of the week is from Seth who commented following a discussion on whether height is an advantage or not in climbing saying: “The beauty of climbing is that there aren’t really disadvantages. Each puzzle is just different for everyone!”

Climbing
- Heather Robinson Sends Power Windows 5.13d at Mt. Potosi (FFA): http://ht.ly/49DlP
- It’s all about the weather window for this ice route in New Hampshire that was climbed last week for the first time since 1973! http://ht.ly/4b0fQ
- Daila Ojeda sends 5.14a/b “Paper Mullat” http://ht.ly/4e2y3
- Great post by the American Alpine Institute (@AlpineInstitute) on rappelling safety so you can rappel safely: http://tinyurl.com/4887aye
- Another article on Caroline George and Sarah Garlick’s “Uprising” FA in Jordan:  http://ht.ly/4bI8T (and they cite Chicks!)
- Don’t you wish you had started this young? 6-year-old powers up steep, crimpy boulder problem  http://ow.ly/4bHt3
- Another fun one of kids climbing (walls) at a VERY young age with a little candy treat as a motivator:  http://ht.ly/4cwYe

News
- This may be news to some people: If you want a ‘true’ wilderness experience you’re going to have to put a little work into it: http://ht.ly/4aWfU (from AAI)

Gear
- Statement from Paul Petzl on counterfeits and manufacturing policy http://ow.ly/4aYBj
- Nice gear review of one of our top sponsor’s – Osprey’s (@OspreyPacks) Variant 52: http://ht.ly/4e2iX

Training and Nutrition
- Some advice on indoor bouldering training to develop strength: http://ht.ly/4cwqQ
- Great advice from Tali (@cupcakemafia) on self-care of the restorative type, and how to avoid it turning into sluggish-ness: http://ht.ly/4b0FY
- A good post on training for running, climbing, and falling (with a great conversation in comments) up at Dreaming in Vertical: http://ht.ly/4be7r
- What helped Lizzy have fun (and do AWESOME) in her latest climbing competition? Well, relaxation was one huge component: http://ht.ly/4cLaO

Fun Stuff
- Eileen @rockgrrl is giving away a baselayer from Mountain Mama! http://ht.ly/4aTMw Hurry, must enter by March 16 (Wednesday!)

Inspiration
- Steph Davis (@highsteph) is on this list of National Geographic’s Top Women Adventurers for International Women’s Day: http://ht.ly/4ahMw
- Heart transplant doesn’t stop this woman from doing what she loves - climbing: http://ht.ly/4aX1W
- Some great inspiration from The Gearcaster, Amy: http://bit.ly/eUIDlj
- Mountaineer and scientist Arlene Blum listed as one of world’s most inspirational women:  http://ht.ly/4bGIV

Trip Reports
- Interesting trip report from @Petzl athlete Liv Sansoz on climbing in Taghia (Morocco):  http://ht.ly/4aY8r
- Laurel gets on some Canadian ice in this Marble Canyon (Lillooet) TR: http://ht.ly/4e7lq

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!

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Posted in Read the Gossip | 1 Comment »

We’re prepping to transition to rock, but there’s still plenty of ice in the Gossip Report!

Monday, March 7th, 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!

Last week we posted a blog from Caroline George talking about the new route she put up with Sarah Garlick in Jordan called “Uprising”-  it has since been covered in several big climbing publications, but our report has more details, so make sure you check it out here!

We also posted part two of our instructional video on setting up v-threads with Girly Guide Angela Hawse giving the demonstration. Check out the actual set-up of a v-thread here, and if you missed the piece on how to drill a v-thread, you can check that out here.

For those who aren’t on our mailing list, you can check out our February newsletter here on the blog, where you can also sign-up to get the newsletter each month in your mailbox.

Finally, we want to let you know about a networking climbing weekend coming up at Seneca for women climbers looking to meet partners in the region – check out how to register for this April 15-17 event 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!

The quote of the week is from our awesome sponsors over at Rock & Ice who said: “The spontaneous creation of new beta on an onsight is a climber’s ultimate art.”

Climbing
- More coverage of some of the amazing climbing that went down in Patagonia this February thanks to massive weather windows: http://ht.ly/46zel
- Has ice climbing heaven been found in Norway? http://ht.ly/484oR Anyone else want to go?
- She is a teacher and a climber – the kick ass Jen Venon on the 7 P.M. Show (5.14a) http://ht.ly/49n5A
- Why might you need a knife while climbing? Check out what the American Alpine Institute (@AlpineInstitute) has to say, and what knives they recommend: http://ht.ly/456yt
- More great instruction from AAI @AlpineInstitute on different ascending systems: http://ht.ly/45Iqj
- Ice climbers, you can’t deny getting a little excited about this amazing looking climb:  http://bit.ly/h4v5kP
- Girly Guide Caroline George lists her top 10 climbing destinations in the world – have you been to any? http://ht.ly/46osF
- New online site called “Sendage” for those who like to keep a record of their routes: http://ht.ly/47ebT
- For those who love climbing in comps, here’s a neat little list of upcoming events all across the U.S.!  http://ht.ly/47fFr
- Christina on Steph Davis (@highsteph)’s blog is looking to dedicate more time to climbing and is looking to build a network of climbing partners: http://ht.ly/47z5O
- Extreme measures taken to top out & make gains sport climbing – are you guilty of this?  http://ht.ly/48xh8
- Jenn Fields gives an honest assessment about being competitive with climbing pals in her latest Field Notes post: http://ow.ly/49oSq

News
- This week’s outdoor, skiing and climbing news from AAI (@alpineinstitute): http://ht.ly/47qsK
- Remember the J-Tree anti-Dump petition? It worked, no dump! http://bit.ly/ffzUnq

Gear
- Lizzy and Luke from Dream in Vertical (@dreaminvertical) review the La Sportiva Katana Lace:  http://ht.ly/456F2
- Great info. from Katie Levy (@k8tlevy) on resoling your rock climbing shoes, it’s a good idea to get it done now before weather is too nice and you are out there climbing! http://ht.ly/45FNL
- Since a lot of our Chicks ski as well, thought we’d share Sara (@theclimbergirl) and Tiffany’s (@tiffanymroyal) post on backcountry ski gear: http://ht.ly/46M3R
- Some tips from The Campsite (@the_campsite) on layering to stay warm when playing outdoors: http://ht.ly/47yVU
- Support the fight against breast cancer with the Osprey (@OspreyPacks) special edition Verve 10: http://bit.ly/hQ5iXm

Training and Nutrition
- Alli Rainey (@allirainey) talks about what she’s been doing for her winter climbing training this year: http://ht.ly/45FwQ
- Check out Sara (@theclimbergirl)’s “Listen To Your Heart” while training in Women’s Adventure magazine - it’s on p. 34 of print, p. 36 online: http://ow.ly/48kxB
- Review of tendon-injury studies shows cortisone shots are not effective. However, PT and working out really seem to be most effective in helping heal: http://ht.ly/46ohd
- Study suggests exercising can help you stay looking younger longer – definitely true for many of our “older” Chicks! http://ht.ly/46A3N

Fun Stuff
- Newlyweds finish indoor climbing gym in bonus room of their house before buying furniture! http://bit.ly/gznjUb
- Want to see how much time using hooks can save you? Check out this video of an ice climbing speed competition: http://ht.ly/46M9j
- The top 10 reasons it’s good to climb with chicks! http://ht.ly/48x7d
- Please take 30 seconds to help George (@PrivonG) with a survey on climbing publications:  http://svy.mk/dNdMRL
- How much beer do you owe for borrowing that set of ice tools from your friend? This guide suggests a 6 pack: http://ht.ly/49ngH

Inspiration
- The Action Girl tells us how she is finding her way to happily ever after http://ht.ly/46yMv

Awards
- Ladies, please look into this and apply if you are planning an expedition! The AAC (@americanalpine) has a deadline for the Copp-Dash Inspire Award of March 31: http://ht.ly/45SDZ

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!

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Posted in Read the Gossip | No Comments »

Chicks Climbing February Newsletter

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

2011 Girly Guides: Jen Olson, Angela Hawse, Kitty Calhoun, Danika Gilbert, Margo Talbot, Kim Reynolds, Suz Detweiler, Dawn Glanc. Photo Credit: Shauna Tewksbury

February Newsletter:

• Chicks with Picks ends her 12th season
• What’s Next….Chicks Rock in the desert!
• A Time of Transition…the Head Chick heads out in the backyard
• Free Sample Life Coach Session

Jill, the office Chick, at the top of her first ice climb!

“I did it! No one can ever take that away from me!” Jill Huesgen

The Quickie

In early February, we ended our twelfth year at Chicks with Picks with The Quickie, our last clinic of the season. This clinic happens fast and is a great way to give women who aren’t quite sure about this sport a chance to sample the ice.
The first day it snowed and blew hard but the women persevered and were on the ice ALL day learning how to climb. Do you remember that cold snap that came through? It was the second day of the Quickie and the hearty Chicks just carried on with spirit and enthusiasm climbing until it was closing time.

For me, a highlight of the clinic was having our “Office Chick”, Jill Huesgen, attend the Quickie and ice climb for the first time. Jill told me that she was a little nervous about ice climbing – she wondered if she would get to the top and stay warm in the process. Sound familiar? We’ve all had these thoughts cross our mind haven’t we! It was a thrill to witness Jill get to the top of the her first climb – now she can fully empathize with what women anticipate before Chicks AND what they take away with them!

Maija showing some style on the Five Fingers

Chick Sighting

Jill isn’t the only Chicks staff to get on the ice this winter. Our Social Media Chick, Maija Burkert (who is Kicking Axe with the Chicks Gossip Column), also attended the Sampler and the Complete. It was fun to see how much Maija improved this year and by the end, she was climbing water ice five with a huge smile on her face. She also ventured into the backcountry to climb Stairway to Heaven and Skylight. On her day off from climbing, she tried some backcountry skiing on Red Mt pass. I think she was sad to leave and return to Savannah Georgia, but word has it, she was happy to see her cats.

What’s next?

Chicks Rock at Red Rocks! March 31 – April 3
Red Rocks in the spring is a great place to thaw out after the long winter and get psyched for summer! Our intensive climbing clinic allows you to focus on improving your climbing skills in a fun, safe, (warm) and supportive environment. Red Rocks is a well-known desert climbing destination that has a little bit of everything – splitter cracks, incut jugs, and technical faces. Climbers of all levels are welcome to attend, with five different clinic levels to choose from. There is an addition optional multi-pitch day that will give you the opportunity to climb some long routes on the beautiful red desert sandstone in a 2-to-1 ratio with our Girly Guides. This program is presented through the American Alpine Institute, and will be headed by Kitty Calhoun and Dawn Glanc.

Read how Chicks Rock! spring Red Rocks clinic was reviewed by some of our participants! Check out Beth’s testimony from 2010 here, and Maria’s here. Both women credited the clinic with helping them have a break through on rock! Are you ready to take your climbing to the next level?

If our spring clinics don’t work with your schedule, Chicks has more clinics in the summer and fall too!!

Devil’s Lake Wisconsin
Women’s Intensive Clinic, July 29 – Aug. 1

Girly Gatherings
Keene Valley, Adirondacks New York, Aug. 19-21
The New River Gorge, West Virginia, Sept. 23-25

Tank tops, sunscreen and great views at Red Rocks! Photo credit: Beth Elliot

Time of Transition – The Head Chick gets Out!

It’s a lot of work pulling of four women’s ice climbing clinics, fitting in a trip to the Outdoor Retailer show and then tucking Chicks with Picks away for the season. It takes about two months of non-stop planning, organizing and attention to execute this Chicks show and frankly, waaayyy too much time on the computer. My winter starts now when I get to venture into the San Juan Mountains, where I live, to do some personal ice climbing and back country skiing.

I have to admit that after being in that icy dark canyon all of January, I love to poke my head out and head towards the sun. There is nothing more joyful to me than skinning up a mountain on skis, gazing at the view, giggling with friends and skiing untracked powder! I’ve been getting my ski legs back on and enjoying some stellar days in my own back yard. Ahhh!

A day in the life of the Head Chick on Battleship Mountain. Photo credit: Danika Gilbert

Free Life Coaching Sample Sessions

Something I enjoy as much as running women’s climbing clinics is my Life Coaching practice. I see this dynamic and creative process that I will pursue for the rest of my life.

Life Coaching comes in handy when you want to:
• jumpstart a new phase of your life
• stop the negative self talk
• get unstuck from the patterns that are hard to break
• know the truth about who you really are
• explore what’s next
• break old patterns that don’t serve you anymore
• stop telling yourself you “can’t” do something
• live your life to full capacity and not settle anymore
• choose to be in control of your life
• be creative and push the envelope of what you think is possible
• have someone hold you accountable for what you really really want

If you are curious about the process and want to learn more. Do it!
To sign up for a free sample session: email kim@mindovermountains.com or call 970-626-4424

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All the latest and greatest is ready for you now in the Gossip Report!

Monday, February 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!

Last week Angela Hawse wrote a wrap-up of the Chicks with Picks 2011 season for our friends over at Pemba Serves and she REALLY captured the spirit of the clinic in this wonderful, must-read post here. We followed-up with our own wrap-up and a look ahead at what’s coming up in the remaining 10 months of 2011 (hint: it is a lot of ROCK climbing!) Check it all out here.

We also posted another update from the prolific writer, climber, and Girly Guide Caroline George who has been doing great things in Jordan – we’ll have another update from her tomorrow on her latest FA over there!

We also shared a gear review of the Black Diamond Lotus – a climbing harness good for year-round climbing on rock and ice from Jess over in the U.K. which you can check out here.

Finally, just this morning we sent out the February Chicks newsletter – if you didn’t get it in your inbox you can check it out here. And if you DO want to get it in your inbox every month from now on, please sign up 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 another quote of the week from the fabulous Jenn Fields who wrote on Twitter: “Ordered another pair of rock shoes. Because a girl can’t have too many Scarpas and Sportivas in her climbing life.”

Climbing
- Kate Rutheford blogs about her new Washington route at Fitz Roy: http://ht.ly/40Cjw – congratulations!
- Katie Levy (@k8tlevy) was lucky enough to score a chat with the amazing Alli Rainey (@allirainey) who talks about her life and training in this motivational interview: http://ht.ly/41UYl
- What is Steph Davis’ (@highsteph) secret to climbing hard cracks in the desert? (Cross-file under gear!) http://ht.ly/419fg
- Safety should always be priority No. 1, so make sure you consider these types of questions the AAI (@AlpineInstitute) is asking before starting up any climb: http://ht.ly/41axL Do you have any other questions you ask?
- Good article from AAI (@AlpineInstitute) on when and how to provide a safe backup belay:  http://ht.ly/43AbQ
- Portia Menlove uses some ‘girl power’ to send the V12 “Climbing Barefoot on Sacred Ground” in Hueco (video): http://ht.ly/42f8h
- Another amazing bouldering video – Natasha Barnes ticks the V11 “Drive On” off her dream climb list after SENDING!  http://ht.ly/42fgj
-  First 5.13d For Heather Robinson: http://bit.ly/gpySuU
- Some great mixed climbing tips in this blog by Raphael Slawinski – especially for those coming off a break: http://ht.ly/42HMf
- Ever had a self-fueled mental combustion while climbing? (aka a “helmet fire”)? How to deal with it from Will Gadd: http://ht.ly/40JQf
- Top five ice climbing spots – and Ouray is at No. 2! http://ht.ly/43o7o
- Wow, this was really the year to go climb in Patagonia! Climbing mag. reports on even more ascents in February thanks to great weather windows: http://ht.ly/43ApO

News
- All this week’s climbing, outdoor and skiing news from AAI (@AlpineInstitute):  http://ht.ly/42IaK
- Very cool news of the first ever carbon-neutral ascent of Mt. Vinson: http://ht.ly/43qSO

Gear
- Wow, the Petzl Grigri 2 gets a FIVE star review from Rock and Ice! http://ht.ly/43FnO
- A good review for a pair of women’s pants! See what Whitney (@VVhitneyO) thinks of the Prana Moab: http://ht.ly/44Oxp
- What’s coming later this year in the world of puffy? The Sierra Designs Gnar down skirt for one! http://ht.ly/41lct
- In news of the odd category – a backcountry “snuggie” – would you use this thing? http://ht.ly/43zua

Training and Nutrition
- Some basic tips for peak performance during a climbing comp including strategy, nutrition & routine: http://ht.ly/43r59
- Some advice on how to strengthen shoulder stability from Luke at @dreaminvertical: http://ht.ly/40IgL
- Lizzy (@lizzy_t) from Dream in Vertical has been training hard for the cracks at Indian Creek, and shares her training plan to be able to perform at her peak in a few weeks: http://ht.ly/43CDA
- Theresa from @solointandem is jumping head first into an intense climbing training plan – check it out here:  http://ht.ly/430V7

Action needed!
- Will you please help protect Joshua Tree from becoming the park next to the nation’s largest garbage dump? http://ht.ly/43130

Inspiration
- A photo essay on American sport climbing by Andy Mann: http://ht.ly/42Gdv
- A really nice post from Amy (@expandoutdoors) who reminds us that every moment is special: http://ht.ly/42HZz
- You’re never “too” old – the story of 95-year old sprinter Ida Keeling: http://ht.ly/43pOB

Thought provoking
- Different women’s perspectives on outdoor adventures, and specifically, clinics for women. Our friend Sarah, (@cdnrockiesgirl) speaks up on behalf of the women’s-only forums: http://ht.ly/40v7U Do you have an opinion on this too?
- Gratitude and Grace from Tali (@cupcakemafia) http://ow.ly/40HA0 & another on turning 34 and finding solace in the grey area: http://ht.ly/430QB
- In random news, a man credits a DVD with helping him to learn mountaineering: http://ht.ly/41Vha

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!

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Take advantage of the holiday to catch up on all the latest gossip!

Monday, February 21st, 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’ve got a Chick on our Facebook page, Christina, who is looking for other ladies to make trip or expedition plans with this summer. Are you interested? Get in touch with her on Facebook (or us if you aren’t on Facebook) so we can connect you all to make plans. And, if there are any other ladies looking for Chicks to take trips with, please share with us so we can help put the word out and keep Chicks climbing together :)

Last week we had a great Chicks sighting to report – two Chicks alumnae met up in De Pere, Wisc. for some ice climbing at the Ice Pit. Anne, an alumna of both Chicks with Picks and Chicks Rock!, took Elissa, a Chicks Rock! alumna out for her first ice climbing experience ever! Check out how much fun they had in the full report here.

We also got an update from Girly Guide and First Ascent athlete Caroline George, who has been doing a lot of sport climbing the past few weeks in Thailand. She writes in with a trip report from Thai Tanium Wall, a piece of rock only accessible by boat!

We also posted a new video last week of Angela Hawse demonstrating how to drill the holes for a V-thread at the Chicks Complete clinic in January – check out part 1 of this block of instruction here.

Finally, we need to start talking about rock! Our first Chicks Rock! event is just over a month away (March 31-April 3 with multi-pitch day April 4 in Red Rocks, Nevada). So we posted a nice recap we got from Maria who felt like her instruction at Red Rocks last year really helped her to break into the next level of climbing; 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!

Climbing
- Arches National Park is currently taking input on a proposed climbing management plan; there are four alternatives being considered: http://ht.ly/3WYhf
- Sarah Garlick writes about her FAs climbing in southern Greenland with Girly Guide Danika Gilbert: http://ht.ly/3X81P
- Will Gadd discusses the irrelevance of grades on ice beyond WI4 – do you agree that it’s all about the experience? http://ht.ly/3X8YV
- Natasha Barnes sends the V11 “Drive On” in Yosemite! http://ht.ly/3XHMZ
- Wow, massive weather window means lots of new FAs going on in Patagonia this month – catch up here: http://ht.ly/3XMKy
- Holy cow! Ueli Steck solo speed record on the Eiger – expect to cringe a few times with crampon/tool slips!  http://tinyurl.com/4loardl
- New mom Erica (@EricaLineberry) shares her tips for climbing with her cragbaby at the rock gym: http://ht.ly/3X7QC and then ties into the sharp end on her latest climbing excursion with cragbaby: http://ht.ly/3YDoT
- Do you climb better with encouragement or without? Krysia (@ventrsomekrysia) tells us why she doesn’t want cheering: http://ht.ly/3ZWqr
- Eliz (@eliz_rocks) recaps her latest climbing comp, in which she challenged herself to climb at her peak ability: http://ht.ly/401rR

News
- A recap of this week’s outdoor, climbing and skiing news from the American Alpine Institute (@AlpineInstitute): http://ht.ly/3YCVr

Gear
- Gear review of a new Mountain Hardwear Drystein jacket by Krysia: http://ht.ly/3YDju
- Good advice on how to best protect your eyes on long expeditions from AAI (@Alpineinstitute):  http://ht.ly/3ZboS

Training and Nutrition
- AAI (@AlpineInstitute) talks about what kind of hydration systems they use/recommend on Alpine climbs: http://ht.ly/3WYs7
- Wow, Steph Davis (@highsteph) gives an in-depth detail of her recovery from ACL surgery in “A Climber’s Guide to ACL Replacement” http://ht.ly/3X9ps
- We’ve heard lots of people talking about shoulder problems lately, so perhaps many would benefit from Tali (@cupcakemafia)’s review of “Yoga for Shoulders” DVD. http://ht.ly/3XHQU

Fun Stuff
- Last week Jenn Fields (@jennfields) took to the road – and Hueco – for a few days of solo work & successfully avoided any serial killers while getting in some great bouldering!  http://ht.ly/3WfgE

Inspiration
- Great article on solo women thru hikers, finding empowerment by facing challenges on their own: http://ht.ly/3WYOA
- Guest blogger Lisa on Eliz (@eliz_rocks)’s blog has the right idea about deciding she wants to do something fun & just doing it instead of making endless “wish” lists! http://ht.ly/3Zb6J

Trip Reports
- A couple trip reports from Laurel (@mtsquirrel) who made the most of some weather windows at Vantage this January! http://ht.ly/3XOoe & http://ht.ly/3XOoC
- Challenging herself on a skiing trip, Katie Levy (k8tlevy) was able to appreciate a whole new experience by pushing herself to the next level Revelstoke http://ht.ly/3WgpC (way to go!)

Thought provoking
- How long has the thrill with ice climbing lasted for you? http://ht.ly/3YCRL

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!

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Are you ready to break into a new level of climbing?

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Erin at Chicks Rock! Fall, 2010

In just over a month we will host our first rock climbing clinic of the year! Wow, is time going by fast! Our first Chicks Rock! event of 2011 will be March 31-April 3 in Red Rocks, with an optional multi-pitch day April 4. Are you thinking about taking a rock climbing clinic this year? Below we’ve posted testimony from one of our Chicks Rock! participants from the spring clinic last year, Francisca (Maria), who came out for her second Chicks Rock! event, after having a great first-time experience at Devil’s Lake. See what she says about the experience, and how it helped her break through a plateau and into a whole new level of climbing!

How many other Chicks Climbing clinics have you attended?
I attended Devil’s Lake last year.

What did you learn about rock climbing at the Chicks Rock! Red Rocks spring clinic?
I very much dislike crack climbing and I learned tons about crack climbing.  Dawn taught us a lot of technique, hand position, feet position, how to get your hands jammed in a crack, along with your feet.  How to trust your feet and commit to a move.

What did you learn about yourself at the Chicks clinic?
I learned that I can do event what I think I cannot do.  I can go the extra mile even when I’m tired. I learned that I am very lucky to with my life, that I have all I need and if I complaint is because I am spoiled. I learned that women are so very strong, powerful and we can do anything we set our minds into.

Did you have fun at the Chicks clinic? What was the best/worst part?
I loved all of it. I loved the guides, they are a great source of knowledge, inspiration, and they have a great sense of humor. I loved learning so much and improving my climbing. Finally to me was a very empowering experience. I came out as a new person with a very high self steam which is great

The worse part, which is not a Chicks Rock! problem, was the camping accommodations.  Next time I am staying at a hotel if I go to Red Rocks, here in WI, I would camp again!

Have you been able to use what you learned upon your return home?
Ohhh yes!  I learned a ton and I became a better climber all around.  I wanted to break into the next climbing level because I was feeling stuck in a plateau, I had been climbing 5.9 for a while but was not breaking into the 5.10 in a solid way and after the clinic I feel like I did break into the next level, a beautiful thing!

Did your Chicks experience inspire you to make a change in your life in any way?
Yes.  I think the main thing I have gained from going is realizing how powerful I can be, which increases your self esteem, and in turn changes your life. Also, I feel lucky to have all I have, I guess it makes you think about your life and when I have done that I see I have everything!  How amazing is that?

Would you recommend a Chicks clinic to a friend?
Absolutely, I have and will continue to do so!

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Ice brings two Chicks alumnae together in De Pere, Wisc.

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

The following Chicks Sighting was reported by alumna Anne Hughes, who went out with Chicks Rock! alumna Elissa Chasen for some ice climbing last weekend!

Elissa Chasen and I climbed at the Ice Pit in De Pere, Wisc. on Saturday.  For me, it was nearly my first time ice climbing at home even though I’ve been to fourteen Chicks with Picks sessions in ten seasons.  I’ve been home from Chicks 2011 for a month, but I just couldn’t wait until 2012 to ice climb again.  For Elissa this day was to be her first on ice and I had a feeling she was going to love it.  Elissa is a rock climber and an alumna of Chicks Rock! 2010 at Devil’s Lake.  She definitely rose to the occasion, especially because the boots she borrowed were a poor fit, her gloves too thin even for a warm day, and the rest of the gear awkwardly unfamiliar.  Nor was there a beginner climb to be found — The Ice Pit is in an active stone quarry with perfectly vertical walls, hence perfectly vertical climbs that all tower 100 feet above the quarry floor.  Learning to swing and kick points in on ice that relentlessly vertical is no day at the Ouray Kid’s Wall, but Elissa went at it with determination and laughter all day long.

What a sweet, sweet day.  The forecast was our first thaw.  The ice was turquoise and the locals said all of the Ice Pit climbs had come in thicker than any of them could remember.  Only a dozen climbers shared the 7 ropes.

Eleven years after my own first ice climb I found myself teaching ice climbing.  I do love to teach what I love.  In Madison I teach rock climbing but ice climbing is hard to find here in the land of horizontal ice, the upper Midwest.  Each time I gave Elissa a tip, I was hearing a cacophony of Girly Guides tips swirling in my head, the skilled instruction of Mattie (my very first Chicks guide back in 2002), Kitty, Angela, Kim C, Karen, Sarah, Dawn, Caroline, and Carolyn all came to mind as I showed Elissa what to do.  On each of my own turns, as I climbed my heart out until the Pit closed, I also heard my guide’s voices firmly urging me upwards with their focus on energy saving efficiency.

The Ice Pit is run as a private club and usually closes at 4 p.m. but the three members left at the bewitching hour let me squeeze in a climb or two past closing.  My last climb, my 7th, was the most fun, a line where I could put my mixed skills to work.  I was in heaven.  The club members had to chase me away to pull the last rope before I would tie in yet again.  It is good to know there is a training ground less than 3 hours from home.  I’ll be back and I have a feeling Elissa will be combing eBay for her own gear by the time the snow flies next season.

All photos from Anne Hughes. Pictured at the top are Anne and Elissa at the Ice Pit. Below is a picture to show the scope and steepness of the ice, while at the bottom is Elissa climbing ice for the first time!

Thanks for sending in a report on this Chicks sighting, Anne! If you have a Chicks sighting we want to know about it, please share with us :)

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