Girls and Cars
Steph-
First of all, thank you for being such an inspiration! I regularly follow your blog and definitely think of you as the kind of climber I hope to be one day. l love reading about your adventures and your training advice for newer climbers. Also, I loved the clip of you in the Sender Films production “The Sharp End”!
I am currently at a crossroads and considering a “dirtbag climber” lifestyle. I have been admitted to a top graduate school for next fall but am considering giving it up to spend the foreseeable future driving around to different climbing destinations and living out of my car. Climbing has pretty much taken over my life and become my #1 priority. I just really love it. I find it simultaneously challenging and meditative, like nothing else I have ever done before.
The only thing is, to be honest, living out of my car as a single woman makes me more than a little nervous. It’s frustrating because if I were a guy I probably wouldn’t have to worry about it, but I do want to think through this through carefully. Do you have any suggestions for how to become a “dirtbag climber chick” and to do so safely? Also, any suggestions for good locations to go to first? Currently climbing at a 5.8-5.9 level and am looking to move up!
I’m sure you’re busy having lots of adventures, but any advice you have would be appreciated! Thank you for your time!
Shelby
Hi Shelby,
I have always had a truck, and sleep in the back of it, most of the time by myself and usually with a dog. I have never had any problems traveling alone in my truck. Having a dog is highly recommended. I read an article once where they interviewed prisoners who’d assaulted women, and the overwhelming majority of them said that if they saw a woman with a dog, they skipped her and looked for another potential victim because they didn’t want to deal with it.
You have to use basic common sense, as always in life: no sleeping at rest stops, no picking up hitchhikers. (Ever. Even if they look “okay.”)
There have been two occasions in my life where I felt nervous about being basically trapped in a box in the back of my truck while sleeping. I do have a slider window, through which I could theoretically wriggle and drive away if I had to. Realistically, that would not be very fast. I think if you are worried about being safe, having a van is the best way to go. Make sure to park in a way that if you ever feel widgy at a place, you can wake up, jump in the driver’s seat and bail immediately. You can also make sure to camp in places where your cell phone works.
Generally speaking, if you are traveling to different climbing areas, you will always be among other climbers, and safety is not really a major concern. Though it’s always good to think smart and stack the odds in your favor.
🙂 Steph
Good advice… I’m not a girl, but I’ve slept in pickups, vans and large trucks for many years, for both work and recreational travel. In my experience, truck stops are safer than rest areas, and climbing/recreation areas tend to be safe (except for the Hawaiian Islands, where a somewhat different set of rules applies). Wal-Mart parking lots are often available for sleeping as well, and while they’re not my favorite, are still a better bet than rest areas. I’ll toss in my vote for vans for the reasons Steph mentioned, and also for the ease of cooking and sleeping on the road for long periods of time.
Thanks Peter: I think those Ford transits look pretty interesting….if they had clearance and/or 4WD I’d probably make a vehicle switch.
For what it’s worth, I’ve had good luck with sleeping in my Honda Element, with or without the dog (though it’s getting tight as the pup grows to full size). Some factors that are better about my current arrangement than previous ones, and therefore that you may want to think about:Â
* tinted rear windows, so it’s not obvious there’s a person sleeping inside
* moonroof & angle-opening windows, so I can ventilate without actually allowing access to the inside of the car
* being able to lock & unlock doors with a remote fob (I lock them when I’m asleep inside)
* having a panic button on the key fob, so I can make the car make lot of noise if need be
So far, I’ve had no incidents, as a single chick in a variety of vehicles (that have gradually gone up in price and size, as my income increased) 😀
Cheers,
Teri
I camped all summer on blm & national forest land.. Mostly in oregon then in moab before moving back to colorado for winter…
& had no issues.. I also have a tiny twoseater car so car sleepin was outta the question! Just turned 20 in august, plan on getting a van soon tho, i’d be nice to not have to pitch a tent all the time 😉
the past year of being a climbing/skibum has been the best!!!
&i plan on doing this for a long time
I already found a job packing parachutes next summer to work on sleeping/breathing skydiving !
Ah how I love everyone in our outdoor community!
but anyways, I say go for it shelby!
& your one of my inspirations steph so glad I picked up ur book in the library over the summer !!
🙂
Hi Gals,
I’m not one of you, but here are my suggestions.
Lived in my camper van for several summers– vans are nice because you are always home, whether it be on a city street, a beach in Baja, or in Alaska. Two suggestions: A dog is always your best friend— better than a guy any day! And bear spray! Used it once on a moose and I have no doubt it would be even more effective on a lecher!
And if gold Maple Leaf dollars suddenly rain down from the sky, get one of these! http://www.romahome.com/
Too bad we can’t buy a 50mpg diesel powered minimal sized camper here in the land of Excess.
Shelby – I’m in a similar place, planning to hit the road on my own soon. Â It’d be great to connect – feel free to email me at climb.lauren@gmail.com Â
Thanks for the advice Steph! Â We met in Portland and I remember your enthusiasm about the Transit. Â Hope to cross paths in Utah. Â Do you have dates set for your clinic?
Elements are great! My husband has one, and that is our 2 person + dog camping rig (the truck only fits me and the pup 😉
Thanks Sarah! I used to have a regular car, and I took out the back seat and the passenger seat and put down a plywood plank from front to back with a thermarest on it. It was very comfortable, and super stealthy: I could even cook in there!
or a 50 mpg small truck with 4wd!!
I want a transit! (kind of) 🙂
not yet, but I will let you know!
If you have good road clearance I’m not sure 4WD is necessary. My nephew commuted across Teton Pass daily for 10 years with various old Volvos—.
yikes!