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Female Speed Record on The Nose of El Capitan
 On June 10, 2012, Jes Meiris & Quinn Brett set off to have another day on The Nose of the great El Capitan. Although they weren’t actually going for the women's speed record that day, they unexpectedly achieved a time of 10 hours 19 minutes - 21 minutes ahead of the previous record. Mission Accomplished!! In September 2011, Libby Sauter and Chantel Astorga climbed the route in 10:40, knocking off an impressive 95 minutes from the 12:15 record set by Heidi Wirtz and Vera Schulte-Pelkum in 2004. Before that, Vera Wong and Abby Watkins clocked in at 16:30 in 1994. This trend will continue as women continue to push the limits and challenge each previous record; Jes and Quinn hope that other women will be nipping on their heels to strive for better times. Though they admit that there is a selfish component to climbing and breaking records, they also see themselves as a part of an evolution in how women climb. “There is a bigger picture to all this” Jes says, “and the objective to this ascent was to transform how climbers view their goals so that regardless of the outcome of the adventure, the effort stands for something bigger”. Their conviction led them to raise funds for SOS Outreach International, a non-profit based in Avon CO, that empowers youth through outdoor education and adventure. This speed ascent was a great opportunity for Jes and Quinn to lead by example. Quinn says: "Our hope is to inspire others who are pushing the limits of the sport to generate fundraising efforts and make their ascents count towards local or global progression, whether it be social, environmental, or educational". These two dedicated and talented women are walking the walk and inspiring through action. To date, they have raised over $600 for SOS through slideshows and community outreach. Jes lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado and works as a professional adventure guide. When she’s not guiding, coaching youth climbing teams or wearing her climbing instructor hat, she is out building or maintaining trails as a senior filed staff member for Rocky Mountain Field Institute. RMFI works HARD and is committed to trail building and ecological restoration in key natural areas. Quinn lives in Estes Park and is busy generating a strong momentum for her new climbing-yoga company, Dovetail Mountain Endeavors. As a guide and an educator Quinn stays connected to outdoor education and personal growth and development. For more information or to contact Jes and Quinn, visit climbforacause.webs.com |
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TEAM QJ: mmmm, beautiful girls, great attitude, tougher than shit. Wow! |
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Cool stuff. Great to see two strong ladies out there pushing the limits! |
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I was afraid I was going to read another post by Eleanor.....with her holding the record. Great job by Jes and Quinn! El Cap has become a sprint these days....Olympic quality times going down. |
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Nice job you two! |
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Such amazing female climbers!!!! I can't even imagine that speed. When I did the Nose it took me 4 1/2 days. And I worked my ass off....... Wow those two are an inspiration. |
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I LOVE seeing this record beaten. Fantastic job Jess and Quinn, just a day out climbing really and yet such important role models and pioneers. |
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The record did not last long, Chantel and Mayan went 7:26. |
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Shortly after the sun crested Half Dome this morning (October 28), two of Yosemite Valley’s fastest women started up the Yosemite Grand Prix - the Nose of El Capitan. Libby Sauter and Mayan Smith-Gobat hit the stop watch at 7:18 a.m. and charged up the granite big-wall. |
