Why are there so few female aid climbers?

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meg - tp

climber
El Paso, TX
Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 26, 2015 - 01:04pm PT
I apologize in advance for any troll baiting, but really would like to hear your thoughts. Sitting in the meadow a few weeks ago, enjoying beautiful weather and cold beer, we began a discussion of female aid climbers. Eventually the question "why are there so few ladies on El Cap (not including those drug up for the first and last time by an overly eager boyfriend)?" popped up. However, no one seemed to have an answer - at least not one they would admit in the company of the fairer sex. I've considered:

 This is just a symptom of an already small number of females in the climbing community.

 Brutish style of climbing intimidates women? Too macho?

 Too gear intensive?

 Swing a hammer like a girl?

I've always viewed female climbers as generally tougher and less ego driven - ideal wall climbers, especially soloists.

Where's the disconnect?






apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:06pm PT
"fairer sex"

Damn right.


"Brutish style of climbing intimidates women?"

That'd be my guess...not so much the 'macho' part, but the downright sometimes brute-force element of walls just isn't so appealing.

Edit:
That's just not a fair or accurate analogy, bravecowboy.

Edit2:
Not artificial at all. Just a different experience. My terror in hanging off a tiny HB offset on the Shield was entirely real...nuthin' artificial about it!
thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:07pm PT
aid is to climbing as prostitution is to sex.

that is, it's kinda lame. I rarely feel pride C1'ing.

EDIT: Ap, both ways are artificial, no?

EDIT2: impure? cop-outs? YKWIM
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:14pm PT
There are a lot of female climbers now.....go to Indian Creek, the City of Rocks, the Gunks or anywhere there is good climbing and you'll see nearly as many women as men. Women are smart and would much rather explore creative body movement free climbing then haul a portal ledge up a wall so they can smoke pot, drink cheap ale and trade farts with their partner.
Alpamayo

Trad climber
Davis, CA
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:15pm PT
Common sense?
anita514

Gym climber
Great White North
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:18pm PT
Low T
Long fingernails, tender hands
Heavy gear slings an boobs don't mix

Is that why you don't aid climb?
Gilroy

Social climber
Bolderado
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:46pm PT
^^^ No kidding. I knew when I saw the thread title that we could count on anita
514 & Tami.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:46pm PT
Common sense?

Heh-heh
I think he may be right
Gerg

Trad climber
Calgary
Oct 26, 2015 - 01:48pm PT
Tom Evans spying on them when they have to go

haha!
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Oct 26, 2015 - 02:09pm PT
Another reason is generally lower body weight - makes it harder to haul.
Alpamayo

Trad climber
Davis, CA
Oct 26, 2015 - 02:15pm PT
Another reason is generally lower body weight - makes it harder to haul.

Have you ever seen Mark Hudon (or myself, for that matter)!?!
anita514

Gym climber
Great White North
Oct 26, 2015 - 02:28pm PT
What're you doing hangin out with a wall addict?

He has a big funkness device.. duh
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Oct 26, 2015 - 02:43pm PT
<Another reason is generally lower body weight - makes it harder to haul.>

Have you ever seen Mark Hudon (or myself, for that matter)!?!
Yes, you can still haul a bag if you are light, using a 3:1 setup.
It is a statistical argument. I'm not saying that it's impossible for light people to haul a bag. It's just harder, and it is a factor which may make some lighter people less interested in aid/wall climbing.
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Oct 26, 2015 - 03:18pm PT
Most ladies can free climb really well. So why hang when you can climb.

cvcucr

Mountain climber
Riverside
Oct 26, 2015 - 03:58pm PT
Meg:

I would like to have my wife to do an aid climbing wall with me. She is reluctant because of the "bathroom" situation. Even though she has camped with me for many years (wilderness/no toilet), trying to get that done on a wall is just a little more than she wants to try.

Fiddling with the gear doesn't bother her, and she doesn't see it as brutish. However, she does expect me to do the hauling ;-)

also: yeah, I'm "over-eager" to bring her up there haha
but we love doing things together, this will be no different. We are looking forward to doing many walls together.
leasure

Trad climber
Reno
Oct 26, 2015 - 04:16pm PT
You should ask BURT BRONSON for the real answer.
whitemeat

Trad climber
San Luis Obispo, CA
Oct 26, 2015 - 04:17pm PT
Smarter
anita514

Gym climber
Great White North
Oct 26, 2015 - 04:17pm PT
You piss in a bottle with a funnel and sh#t in a bag. I don't know what the issue is? Bring a change of pants or pants that dry fast cuz you will piss on your pants.
Lots of baby wipes. I had my period last month on the wall so that sucked (yeah yeah, TMI), but otherwise you get over it and deal.
Moof

Big Wall climber
Orygun
Oct 26, 2015 - 04:23pm PT
Ack! That cannot be unread!
cvcucr

Mountain climber
Riverside
Oct 26, 2015 - 04:29pm PT
You are my hero anita514! I would never be able to say something like that to her (and get away with it).

She'll do it... it's just the first-hurdle to get over.
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