Climb Like a Girl: A First Attempt at Outdoor Rockclimbing

Today, the inevitable happened.

Some things just won't let go of me, no matter how hard I try to shake them off. Rock climbing has been one of them and today, I finally climbed real, big rocks in the Donner area of Tahoe. I did fairly well for a newbie, which for me means make it to the top of one, struggle thrice on a technical one where I'm supposed to climb with half of my body on a crack, and still come home with an intact skull but with bruises, scrapes, rope burns, banged up knees.

Rock climbing has become so mental for me. It's problem solving as you're trying to summit this 40 foot rock and figuring out what the best way to get there is. Of course, there's a big disparity between what you conceive conceptually on the ground as you're looking up and what the reality is when you get there. And maybe that's the part that nags at me is that this wall I stop halfway through is a problem I have to solve. And it is actually solveable.

I went with REI Outdoor School, along with some 12 fellow eager students and three amazing expert climbers to a spot in Tahoe Donner. It was an all day affair with hands-on instruction on tying ropes, safety, and belaying. The guides set up the anchors for us and it was mean to be a single pitch top rope climb class.

We got to the site by hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail from the trailhead on Tahoe Donner Sno Park. Yes! THAT PCT that goes all the way from Mexico to Canada, which is something I've also never been on.

Imagine that. Two birds. One stone. A very BIG one.

And because I'm such a gear head, and because I have a vendetta to make women unafraid and fearless of technical gear, here's my gear list for a day of adventure like this. Ropes, helmets, carabiners, harness, belay device and climbing shoes were all provided by REI.

1. La Sportiva Core GTX Hiking Boots, like so

2. REI wool hiking socks

3. Columbia Omnishield Adventure Pants that I've had for years. They have a stretch in them and they roll (and button) up so it has been perfect for rock climbing. I don't think they make them anymore, but there are lots of options here.

4. North Face hooded Vaporwick shell that I've also had for years

5. Puma tank with side and back vents. Because it got hot and the sun was beating on our backs, in hindsight, I would wear a long sleeve UPF and moisture wicking shirt next time.

6. Camelbak NV Mule that again, I've had for years, with day supplies plus a 3 liter bladder full of water

7. Polarized sunglasses

8. Teva sandals to wear post-hike or to wear onsite, when not climbing. (Loaner) climbing shoes are some of the most uncomfortable shoes I've worn that's why a breather in these Tevas were wonderful

#adventure #renotahoe #travel