Women Climbing take on Wharepapa
Submitted by Alison D:
Once upon a time a confident man, a climber, made a rash bet. He declared that 20 women would never be seen at the crag at one time. A foolish man, a climber, will now be eating beer on Weet-Bix.
On the weekend of 15-16 November the air in the South Waikato was thick with the scent of oestrogen mixed with adrenalin as 20 members of Women Climbing made a foray to Smiths to develop their skills in the womanly art of climbing.
The crankage was breathtaking, the sendage legendary - though no one climbed anything harder than a 19 all weekend. First-ever lead climbs were completed (Hugh the Anklebiter took a hammering), even first-ever outdoor top-ropes. The crag echoed with the unfamiliar sound of onlookers offering warm encouragement in a gentle and positive way. Every woman challenged herself at her own level and Elvis leg was the disease of the week.
Saturday night provided the greatest challenge though - getting the barbecue to work and, more important, finding some TV reception for the All Blacks game. Proving that things are best done by committee, a team of women put down their wine glasses for long enough to develop a aerial system that involved two sets of bunny ears, four cables, a blob of blu-tak, a length of finger tape and an ascent of the kitchen roof.
For the evidentiary record the women present were: Margaret, Lee-anne, Jenn, Lisa, Steph, Mary, Nicole, Sally, Sam, Alison, Louisa, Rachael, Hannah, Nikki, Laura, Kate, Leela, Libby, Anya and Suzy. Enjoy your Weet-Bix, Rich, and send us a photo for the Women Climbing website.
Meantime Women Climbing is heading to Mangatepopo this weekend for some hardcore trad climbing in a bitter sou'wester.
About Women Climbing
Women Climbing is an incorporated society of active women from all over New Zealand who share a love of climbing. The organisation aims to promote a range of outdoor activities and encourages women to participate. These activities include rock climbing, mountaineering and ski mountaineering.
Women Climbing has a presence in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The club:
- Provides women with a friendly and supportive environment where new
members can learn the skills required to climb - Welcomes women at all skill levels including beginners
- Gives women the opportunity to meet other women who love the outdoors
- Has regular climbing nights
- Runs instructional courses in rock climbing and mountaineering
- Organises weekend trips away for rock climbing and mountaineering.
To find out more about the club, check out their website http://womenclimbing.freezope.org
A couple of images from their weekend:
