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noell
Jan 25, 2008, 3:59 PM
Post #26 of 28
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Registered: Apr 17, 2003
Posts: 313
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zenelky wrote: clee03m wrote: "It was as if there was a certain place for me as a woman.........Looking nice in pictures and climbing at a high but not threatening level were fine.....But as I began achieving bigger things, I was baffled by unexpected criticism or belittlement." That hits it dead on to how I've been feeling and why I feel like I've started climbing for others. I've gotten a lot of good responses from this thread, but I definetly felt like I was still the only girl out there is hit this 'plateau'. Knowing that others (especially Steph Davis) have gone through it makes me feel far less singled out. I understand what shes saying. Just like how people claimed that Lynn Hill could free the nose because she had little fingers rather than just accepting that she's strong! Or the way that when woman pull hard moves on a route that guys can't do, you'll hear it's because they're short, or lighter weight, rather than just saying "She's strong".
I am glad you're getting out with some other climbing gals, and I am glad you've had a variety of responses here, but I have to disagree - and step up and say a little something here in favor of my southern boys. I grew up in the south, I climb in the south, and I know alot of strong guys and gals alike. And honestly, the response I hear most of the time isn't - she can do that b/c she's short, or because she's light. Most of my guys friends, when a girl does something, something that maybe they can and maybe they can't do - they will comment, 'man, that girl is strong!!!'.
Examples - there's a video out there of a girl that moved from Chatt to Texas, Ana (who I have never met) doing a one arm pull up. Everytime I see that video all the guys are like - whoa that girl is strong as sh*t!! Did you know that she did (fill in the blank here)???
Example - All the gals at the Red that climb circles around the super strong with no endurance dudes that come and think they can pull the cliff down w/their biceps and get punted half way up the girls warm up routes. Awesome! The gal walks it and the guys are all like, man she's strong!
Example - Corie from Chatt, who just did the Man Show. ALL the dudes were like, man that girl is strong! Isn't it ironic- she did the Man Show! lol
I have to stick up for the guys around here. I think they give credit where it's due. And btw- there are some boulder problems I did way easier than my significant other b/c my fingers are way smaller than his - and I am proud of it! 
My point is just to stick up for the southern folk (they aren't all bad!) and to let you know that there are awesome, complimentary, strong, fierce guys and girls down here. Just get out there, have fun, relax!!!
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zenelky
Jan 25, 2008, 4:29 PM
Post #27 of 28
(571 views)
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Registered: Oct 24, 2005
Posts: 137
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I wish I could trade places with you then To pull super hard and then be told that "the move was easier for you because you have small fingers" and rarely hearing "man, that's gotta be way harder to do since your short" (and boy do us shorties have to come up with some ingenious ways to get our feet where are hands are when there's nothing to stand on or hold ).
And I'm not knocking all southern men. Just a few. My climbing partner, life partner, house partner, and all around partner in crime is from Jackson, MS...can't get much more southern than that, I reckon.
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