Opportunities for networking, sharing and climbing.

At the climbing committee picnic in July 2003, Steve Cox asked me if I knew anything about when the annual women’s group meeting would be held this year. Interesting that a man should be the one to first introduce me to the concept! As this whole idea of a “women’s meeting” was brand new to me, I decided to do a bit of sleuthing to figure out what he was talking about. An e-mail to the other women climb leaders who had been active over the past five or more years revealed the answer: Marcia Hanson had hosted such an event during years prior to my becoming a Basic student in 1999.

	Elana Davison on the Tooth photo by Steve Firebaugh

The goals of her women’s meetings were to bring new women climbers (basic graduates) “into the fold,” to provide a networking opportunity for women to meet other women who might be compatible climbing partners, and (eventually) to explore possibilities for increasing the numbers of women leaders in the climbing program. Marcia would print up invitations and hand them out at Reunion to female Basic and Intermediate course graduates, as well as inviting women climb leaders and intermediate students. She would then host an informal potluck event at her house instead of the Mountaineers Clubhouse. As a graduate from an all-women’s college who thoroughly enjoyed the whole “women’s only” experience, I decided I’d resurrect the tradition myself. Through email exchanges with the other women climb leaders, we worked out the details of the event and I offered to host up to 40 participants at my home.

A Night Out
On November 7, my husband headed out for a “night with the boys” while I eagerly waited to see how many of the 35 positive RSVP’s I’d received would be able to attend. Shirley Rogers arrived a few minutes early toting drinks and snacks. She pointed out that one of the light bulbs had burned out on the front of the house and the street number was hard to see, a minor problem I quickly remedied. In the next few minutes, Ellen Maude and Susan Geiger arrived, and I was relieved that the early arrivals were good friends of mine. Over the next hour or so, my house filled with 27 women, including 7 climb leaders or “co-hostesses,” many faces that were familiar to me but some people I had not had the pleasure of meeting yet. Matching familiar names with unknown faces is always fun.

	Kumi photo by Rick Anderson

Experiences
After allowing everyone to mingle for an hour, I tapped spoon to glass to signal that the “official” business would begin. We were given a minute or two (well, some of us took a few more) to share our favorite type of climbing, favorite climb of this year, words of wisdom to the new climbers, or perhaps what our goal climbs would be for next year. The group included Susan Alford and Shirley Rogers, who both discussed their experiences of leading all-women climbs on Rainier. Susan Geiger shared a bit about her women’s climb to Denali and trekking experience in Nepal, and MJ Kelly and I both pointed out that we’d been up Kilimanjaro and could answer questions about the Western Breach route.

Holly Beck brought photo albums of climbs in Zion and Yosemite, and we discovered a bit about Tacoma’s Basic program from three branch participants who made their way northward. Dana McLendon pointed out that she’d been through the Basic class not once but TWICE, all because she…forgot to send in her graduation application the first time! She added that she’s NEVER been denied a summit (and she’s been on SIXTEEN climbs), so we all laughed and added her to our “future climbers” list. Ages ranged from mid-20’s to mid-60’s, and the amount of experience in the room was enormous. Empowering.

All Women Climbs?
One topic of interest was holding climbs for women, led by women, whether informally (privately) or as club climbs (through the Mountaineers.) While some women pointed out early in the organization of such an event that men may balk at this idea, I would argue that enabling women to climb with other women may mean that they 1) find female mentors who can help guide them through the ranks of the Mountaineers, 2) get more comfortable with the whole concept of the risky sport of climbing if they can see other women doing the same thing they are trying to learn, 3) become more competent in their skills without having men jumping at the chance to solve the technical problems of the climb, and 4) enjoy co-ed climbs that much more after having a chance to get one women’s climb experience under their belts. Offering a few women-targeted climbs can only enhance the experience for those who self-select to participate in such outings, and in my opinion will make better climbers—and leaders—out of us all.

Trends
The most noteworthy trend was women completing the Basic climbing program generally preferring Glacier “slogs.” After continuing into Crag or Intermediate courses more comfort with their climbing skills on rock was gained as was preference for Rock or Ice climbing. Among the group the biggest “goal” for 2004 was a women’s climb of Olympus (fully a third of the group are interested in that!). A number of women chimed in afterwards that meeting more often would be fun and worthwhile, so our goal is to have a Women Climber’s Social quarterly at the clubhouse, the next one to be held in February 2004. Keep an eye on the Go Guide for announcements.