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General Climbing Discussion

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Is climbing the same for women as for men? 15-Oct-2009 At 1:47:44 PM startedwithtrees

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I was pretty proud of "climbing" today... :)

So I'm wondering what the chockstone public thinks about this article - http://www.doublex.com/section/life/rock-climbing-only-truly-gender-blind-sport.

It basically says climbing is the only sport where it doesn't matter if you're male or female, because you do the same things. Thinking about it I agree - although more guys climb and tend to be physically stronger, there's noone standing around saying "chicks can't climb" and girls that do use the same gear and climb the same things and get the same encouragement from climbers of both genders, in my experience.

Relevant bits:

"Sports generally reward bulk, speed, strength, and, often, height—all traits in which men tend to have the physical advantage. But climbers can’t rely on brute strength alone. The typically feminine assets of balance, flexibility, and a sprinkle of grace are essential to navigating the vagaries of ancient rock and plastic gym holds. (To effortlessly “dance up the wall” is a high compliment.) Excessive bulk, be it muscle or fat, while not a showstopper, is a definite disadvantage in a sport that rewards a high strength-to-weight ratio. Height can help or hinder, depending on the contours of the rock."

"True, most of the top climbers are men, but in a few cases, women have accomplished what men could not"

"On rock, your partner is the No. 1 buffer between you and gravity. In moments of fear, as your legs shake and your grip gives out, the gender of the person holding the rope is the last thing on your mind."