‘The outdoors is for everybody’: Rock climbing coalition provides safe space for women and genderqueer individuals

PHOENIX – Between the sounds of crunching dirt and the clinking of carabiners, words of encouragement and laughter filled the air at McDowell Mountain last month.

“Everyone is so supportive and wonderful, and like, ‘you can do it, Bri,’ and ‘put your foot there,’” said climber Brienna Gass at an Arizona Women’s Climbing Coalition (AZWCC) day climb. “The whole point of it is to support each other and give you a group to hang out with.”

The coalition works in partnership with Granite Mountain Guides (GMG) to empower women and the genderqueer community to participate in outdoor rock climbing, all while removing some of the financial barriers for new climbers by subsidizing day-use equipment and independent guides.

GMG guide Ann Revill explained that these inclusive trips prove “the outdoors is for everybody,” as she took pride in watching climbers grow their confidence and skill on the rock.

Revill spoke about one individual who was climbing outdoors for the first time, noting it “was super cool to watch her kick butt,” she said.

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Revill enjoys leading the group day trips and “having these opportunities to be out … and just kind of building that confidence and building the understanding that, ‘yeah, it is possible to do this.’”

After a morning meeting filled with equipment fittings and introductions in the parking lot, the group hiked about 10 minutes to the Girlie Man area for a day of granite slab and crack climbing.

“Based on where they say they want to go, we basically will find a climbing area at that location that will match what people’s climbing abilities and goals dictate for the day,” Revill said. “More people should be able to take advantage of climbing and getting outside to explore.”

The group consisted of 11 climbers and two guides, all of varying ages and experience levels, but each excited to support one another.

“I get a huge kick out of watching people grow their confidence and learning how I can help them throughout the day,” Revill said. “It is about the coolest thing in the world, as far as I’m concerned.”

Revill and fellow guide Zach Stallman hiked to set up ropes while climbers prepared gear and got to know each other. Some were already friends within the rock climbing community and others were meeting for the first time.

Many climbers, along with the guides, shouted words of encouragement as they watched one another scale a slab wall – one relying heavily on friction with relatively no obvious holds. A few of the women who had more experience even focused on balance and tried a section of the climb without using their hands.

“I like having a task or a goal,” Gass said. “I feel like, ‘OK, I’m going to climb that wall; I’m going to do that, focus all my energy on that and not think about anything else.’ It’s like a de-stressor.”

As the day went on, the group progressively got more comfortable on the main face, summiting quicker and quicker. Revill suggested a move to the northern side of the mountain for a crack climb, where climbers place their hands and feet inside the cracks of a rock face to stabilize as they ascend.

“For me, it’s this huge sense of accomplishment,” Revill said. “It’s really cool to be up high, looking down on the world around me and just getting this totally different perspective on things.”

Gass said she appreciates that these day climbs expose her to new challenges in a way that removes a level of fear. She explained it’s nice to have experienced guides who can help set up equipment and give advice.

“Knowing that you can join a group of like-minded women who have similar interests, who are going to help support you and be there with you, it just makes all the difference,” Gass said.

Revill also said there is usually a certain level of anxiety when trying a new climb in front of strangers, but the AZWCC community eliminates much of that.

“If somebody doesn’t feel comfortable in a space, it’s going to be hard for them to be out there doing the thing,” Revill said. “For some people, having a community like the AZWCC provides a really comfortable, supportive environment where people can flourish.”

Gabrielle Sales, a climber and event coordinator for the AZWCC, appreciates the accessibility the nonprofit provides and that the community group reminds her “we’re sisters in climbing.”

“If you’re a woman climber who’s just getting into or wants to learn what it’s like to go climbing, I think AZWCC is a good start,” Sales said. “It’s really special if you could find those communities that really suit you and not feel so alone.”

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.