We don’t need no man
Lady’s crack climbing clinic with Jessa Goebel & Erin Larsen
American Alpine Club – Craggin’ Classic 2015
Written by Tara Smith – Photos by Gabe DeWitt
New Yosemite was challenging and many of us didn’t make it beyond the crux, but Jessa and Erin reminded us to keep a cool head and assisted with beta. I made it just before the crux and pumped out, climbing stamina is every bit mental as it is physical. I had to tell myself “don’t stress, there is a hold, there is a foot, look outside of your immediate 6 inch frame of vision, breathe”.
Watching Erin climb The Entertainer (5.10a ), I could see her stamina was in her finesse. Each hand and foot placement was strategic. Using the least amount of energy possible, she ascended and repelled and seemingly hadn’t broken a sweat.
Many of us students were new to crack climbing and climbing in general, and the little comments struck a chord with most of us. I think there is a cultural undermining of women’s abilities that we sometimes succumb to and internalize thus making it true. Fortunately this can easily be overcome with a little bit of will power and self sufficiency. By the end of the day I felt liberated and independent. We must be responsible for our own person and belongings when climbing and be confident in our abilities to consciously challenge our skill levels.
Definitely a great class and has proven itself useful on multiple crack climbs since!
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