Going Solo
- March 2008
- Uncategorized
Hi Steph,
I’ve been super psyched to see your blog, and the videos of your climbs have been really inspiring!
I actually have taken the path you fled from years ago: I’m a law student with precious-few breaks to be climbing outside. Luckily, I have spring break and then a couple months off for summer.
I’m planning to head out on the road: to the Creek this spring and then probably to Squamish this summer. yey! 🙂 I know you’ve spent a lot of time traveling solo on the road and was wondering if you had any tips for the solo female climber?
Thanks so much! And thanks for being so inspiring!
Hugs, Katie
Dear Katie,
That sounds great! You are going to the right places, for traveling solo. Indian Creek in the spring, and Squamish in the summer, are great hangs, and full of climbers to hook up with.
My best advice to you is to be flexible…. sometimes you think you’ll be going to one place, but you might meet some great people and decide to join their crew. Maybe Zion will suddenly sound good, or even Yosemite, if you end up with a fun group. There are a lot of amazing destinations between Moab and Canada! Though I think your plan sounds really good.
The other advice I have is to always have a little extra stove fuel stashed somewhere in your car. Nothing worse than running out of fuel and having a morning with no stove, no coffee, no tea! 🙁 if you happen to find yourself camping alone one night.
I hope you have an incredible trip!! And good job on hanging in there through law school! I know from very very slight personal experience, that this is a real accomplishment :).
xx Steph
Hi!
That’s so cool you’re thinking about traveling solo this summer Katie. I’m actually planning on doing the same thing too. It’s great to know other girls are having some of the same thoughts and plans too.
(another) Stephanie
Katie – take care of yourself! I survived law school myself, although it did crush my spirit to a great degree! I don’t know that I would have made it without the balance I gained from my climbing life… climbing and my climbing friends helped keep me going. I even took almost a week off, during Bar prep, to take a climbing trip, because I HAD to. What you are doing is terribly hard, and deserves incredible attention to your own self care!
Steph, thank you for providing this forum for such cool women to learn from you and chat a little bit back and forth. Have a lovely day, all!
I completely agree Sara! My first few years of school weren’t that great either until I got into climbing. I’m finaaallly graduating this year and really looking forward to moving onto another point, but I have NO idea how I would have made it without having climbing and running. I know sometimes during the day I HAVE to go home instead of work just to run, or end up going to the local gym just to boulder to keep my head on straight and keep everything in focus.
Good luck Katie! You’re doing so much and it sounds like you’re doing great with climbing and going for the things you love to do. Good Job with everything!!