The countryside code is a set of guidelines that helps people to enjoy the outdoors whilst protecting the rights of landowners and helping everyone to take responsibility for themselves whilst they are out enjoying nature. It gives guidance on what you should and shouldn't do, so that you and others can enjoy being outdoors now and in the … [Read more...]
Training // Climbing Wall Games
We all know the usual drill at the wall. You approach the wall; find your holds, which are all the same colour and scramble up hoping for success. However sometimes you might find yourselves at a smaller wall where the jumps between grades are massive, where the routes haven’t been changed in a while or when you happen to be at the wall when there … [Read more...]
How to Develop the Mindful Habit
Mindfulness has been shown to help athletes improve their head game and perform better. Sometimes, it's easy to start, but not so easy to sustain a new habit, like mindfulness. Here are some tactics other people use to make mindfulness a habit: Attach to a habit you already have To make your new habit as easy to do as possible you can use … [Read more...]
Fearless Fridays: Ten tips for nervous climbers
It being winter here in the northern hemisphere, my social media feed is full of news and images of the white stuff – people climbing it, hiking across it, skiing down it (me, jealous much?!). I came across one such article (link at the end) dealing with nerves when skiing – and although I don’t ski (unless you count the time I pretty much … [Read more...]
Training Sessions for Lead Climbing
Making the jump from top roping to lead climbing is a big moment in any climber’s career that expands the routes climbers can do indoors and outdoors. With this new skill, climbers can access new training techniques that will help push their climbing even further. Whether you’ve been lead climbing for years or just learned the basics recently, … [Read more...]
Wednesday Wisdom: “The world needs people who are not afraid to be afraid”
In her recent TEDx talk, pro climber Emily Harrington succinctly describes how she uses her fear of falling to succeed at climbing some of the hardest routes in the world. Starting out climbing aged 11, she – like most beginners – was afraid of falling. She was also ashamed of that fear, thinking it was somehow a weakness in girls, not boys. “I … [Read more...]
My Winter Indoor Challenge
I love the adventure of long traditional climbs and I enjoy going to indoor walls with friends for fun and exercise. Occasionally I've made the effort to push my lead grade but 6a is my indoor all-time best and the rare VS outside. In winter it's too cold to climb outside, and it's tempting to hibernate until springtime, when real climbing can … [Read more...]
Womenclimb’s Christmas Gift Guide 2018
With one month to go til Christmas, we’ve selected a few ideas to make your gift-buying that bit easier. This year we’re focusing as much as possible on British-made, hand-made, ethical products. Some products feature an exclusive discount too, because those super friendly folk want to add a bit of extra support to our community. WIN FREE STUFF … [Read more...]
Climbing Inspiration // 1920’s to 2010’s
We all know that you can't be what you can't see, so in today's post are some Youtube videos to help you visualise success. Vicarious experiences, seeing other achieve success, are critical to gaining self-efficacy. Feel Successful, Watch Others' Success Self-efficacy is the thing that makes us believe that we have it in us to do the things … [Read more...]
Why YOU should create a Women’s Climbing Group
Guest writer Lorna Potter, founder of Bristol Women Climbers, discusses her insights and suggestions in the set up of a women's climbing group. Women's climbing groups are are a great way to empower women and create a community for women to come together and build friendships around their love for climbing. I'm Lorna and I run Bristol … [Read more...]