In an attempt to integrate more women into the St. Lawrence climbing community, an all-female climbing night was held on Dec. 9, at the Munro Family Climbing Wall, put on by the St. Lawrence University Outdoor Program. In addition to other all-female events, the climbing wall also hosts beginner nights multiple times per semester.
On any typical weeknight, the Munro Family Climbing Wall can be found packed with climbers of all abilities. “Ok I’ve made it to the top! You can lower me!” said Keziah Hoyt ’21, a climber at the Munro Family Climbing wall. After descending from the ceiling, Hoyt untied from the green climbing rope and moved on to a different route. Before coming to the climbing wall last year, Hoyt had no experience climbing, and felt quite intimidated the first time she went to the wall. Now a regular, Hoyt tries to climb at least three times a week. “It’s intimidating [to start climbing], but know that everybody started at one point,” said Hoyt.
A manager of the climbing wall, Emily Viehl ’19 said despite being an experienced climber, she always enjoys the all-women events. “I really like the vibe of ladies’ night,” said Viehl. “I’ve been climbing for 8 years and I still prefer to flail around on boulder problems at ladies’ night rather than in front of some of my male peers, even if I’m close friends with them.”
Kirsten Gehl ’20, another staff member of the climbing wall, also enjoys the comradery of the female climbers at St. Lawrence. “It’s a super supportive community. In my climbing, that’s just really reassuring that despite ability level, people are always so, so supportive. It’s hard to find that in other outdoor pursuits in some cases,” she said.
Although often thought as a strength dominated sport, Hannah Frye ’19 said climbing is more about flexibility than brute muscle. “What is so freaking cool about climbing is that it’s a great equalizer, between men and women,” she said. “I think strength is seen being a male dominate trait, but I think climbing is really interesting, the fact that it is not only about strength, first of all, and secondly, women are badass motherfuckers,” Frye laughed. “You can be kick ass at climbing and climb huge rocks. Like ‘wow my body just did that for me! So cool’ I am strong too,” she said.
For Abby Metcalf, a high school student from Canton who just recently started coming to the climbing wall, going climbing is more fun than going to a conventional gym. “A gym is repetitive, here you have a goal,” said Metcalf. “I feel like I’m going to reach the top, or like I’m going to do this little route.” Additionally, she said that because the climbing wall has so many routes and holds, it is easy to push oneself, but not feel incompetent or overwhelmed. “Even if you’re not that good, you can still make it to the top of a route, or you can make it this far, then next time you can make it farther,” said Metcalf.
The Munro Family Climbing Wall is located on the lower floor of the Newell Fitness Center and is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from six to eight. Beginner and all-female events are held multiple times per semester. The climbing wall is free to all students.