Question for female climbers

Stich wrote: I know two girls that are biased against climbing with other girls for the most part, but it's mainly due to them not having any good female partners from what I hear. They tell me sometimes they get this competitive aggression from some women.

To be clear, I have no criticism of the preference, nor do I think it is universal (I, personally, have a male primary partner, but will climb with basically anyone safe). I was expressing that some girls prefer to climb with only female partners for different reasons, and I didn't want to try to ennumerate all of them.

I'm sure this response is too late to get read, but I'm having a very hard time finding good women's bibs for ice climbing that aren't ridiculously expensive (yes, that is subjective), but I think it would be easier if there were as many bibs for women as there are for men. At least then there would be more choices and something would work out. As it stands, I can't wear men's bibs because the crotch is too far down (not to mention the pee factor). And yes, where are the crotch zips indeed! Some have the option, but most are high end and expensive. Spread the idea around already!

I have a similar gripe with harnesses. Why can't someone make a comfortable harness with ice clip holders for women? For that matter, there seem to be very few for men. Geez.

In general I have few complaints with rock gear. Backpacks especially are doing a great job catering to women, at least, many are either specialized for women or the unisex version is very adjustable.

I'm perfectly happy to have gear made especially for me (I prefer it), but I agree with previous commenters who don't think smaller ropes were created with women in mind. On the "smaller" note, I personally detest the FS Minis except for racking, but then, I have no tolerance for notched beaners of any kind! And I adore the Petzl ponytail helmet, as previous people have noted. But I've always thought gear manufacturers should ask me what I want before they make stuff...

Pearlin Churchill wrote: I would also like to know why women start climbing in the first place,

I imagine that this would be the exact same reason as why men start climbing; because it's awesome.

I don't know about all those women but I got into climbing for the same reason I got into diving: challenge, scary, ...and I look like a bad ass doing both!

Ziggy zig zig

jenpyro wrote:I'm sure this response is too late to get read, but I'm having a very hard time finding good women's bibs for ice climbing that aren't ridiculously expensive (yes, that is subjective), but I think it would be easier if there were as many bibs for women as there are for men. At least then there would be more choices and something would work out. As it stands, I can't wear men's bibs because the crotch is too far down (not to mention the pee factor). And yes, where are the crotch zips indeed! Some have the option, but most are high end and expensive. Spread the idea around already! I have a similar gripe with harnesses. Why can't someone make a comfortable harness with ice clip holders for women? For that matter, there seem to be very few for men. Geez. In general I have few complaints with rock gear. Backpacks especially are doing a great job catering to women, at least, many are either specialized for women or the unisex version is very adjustable. I'm perfectly happy to have gear made especially for me (I prefer it), but I agree with previous commenters who don't think smaller ropes were created with women in mind. On the "smaller" note, I personally detest the FS Minis except for racking, but then, I have no tolerance for notched beaners of any kind! And I adore the Petzl ponytail helmet, as previous people have noted. But I've always thought gear manufacturers should ask me what I want before they make stuff...

Specialty gear is lacking I'm sure from some womens point of view. As for ice clippers, my BD ones from years ago will attach just fine to about any shape harness with the rubber band things included. they don't only need a harness slot to fit into for a good fit.

jenpyro wrote: I have a similar gripe with harnesses. Why can't someone make a comfortable harness with ice clip holders for women? For that matter, there seem to be very few for men.

If you call Misty Mountain they will add ice clipper slots to their harness. I just got a Cadillac with slots added and love it. I also asked to have red accents instead of the standard pink that comes with their women's cadillac. Who wants pink anyway?