High Places

People often ask me what’s my favorite climbing area. Usually no one believes me when I say Rifle. I’m not sure why? Well, obviously, it’s not the place I climb my hardest. But the fact is, it’s my favorite climbing area, and has been for years.
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I am a 24 year female climber/mountain biker. I started climbing last August, starting with Bouldering, going to Routes, then multi pitch climbs, then leading sport climbs (which I am still working on). I found much inspiration from your book. I can identify with much of what you write. Since starting to climb, I have traveled incessantly and feel that I cannot stay in one place (weather provided) because of climbing. Generally, my whole life has begun to revolve around it. I have lived/climbed on the coast of northern california, to Tahoe, Yosemite, and Tuolome, to Moab, to Buena Vista CO, Leadville CO, to Colorado Springs, Boulder Canyon, and Eldorado Canyon.

Regardless, I wanted to let you know that lately I have been getting really down on myself about climbing. I picked up your book and it has given me the spark to motivate myself back to climbing my hardest. You’ve been a climber I’ve looked up to, and reading your book validated that.
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Hello Steph,
I was hoping that you’d be able to answer a few questions about your mental training techniques and exercises.

I find you to be a very inspirational human being, not because of your achievements (though obviously impressive) but because of your attitude and honesty. This comes through really strongly in your writing and, to me at least, it is a sign that you are not afraid to face yourself and know yourself, something that many people don’t have the strength for. Mostly, though I’m inspired because I can really relate to the drive to do things that seem difficult and that don’t come easily. You said something like this a couple of years ago in an interview and that is what led me to read your book. I’ve often been ‘accused’ of being driven; I find it hard to find the balance between wanting something and wanting something too much.
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Hey,
Since you asked about dreaming, trying and evolving I couldn’t help but write you an email. I am a guide in Namibia. I am just about to do my last walk (showing four guests bushman rock-art in the hills,) before finishing work at Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge in Namibia, and moving to Swakopmund to start my own safari company.
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Hi Steph. Thanks for updating your blog so often. I like that! I
have a question about ankle taping. I think you have said that you
have taped your ankles while climbing and I wondered if you have a
particular method you employ to provide support and flexibility that
your ankle needs during rock climbing, especially crack climbing.

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Those of you who’ve been reading this blog for a while will remember that my big brother Virgil was a big reason for me to start skydiving. So you might be wondering……how come we never hear anything about jumping with Virgil nowadays?

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Heya, Steph-
My name is Meredith. I’m fairly new to climbing, but after the first tentative climbs I went to the library and soaked up as much as I could about technique, formations, maps (we have a great library, chock full of this stuff). After all that, though, the only book I checked out was yours.
I’ve been reading non-stop since (i’m almost done) but I really wanted to email you and say hi, and thanks, for such a great book. Being a lady climber as well, i appreciate the notes and experiences about that, but im glad that you haven’t made it (as i’ve seen some with other lady climbers) all about that one fight.
I was particularly touched about your climb with Beth. I’ve been kvetching a bit about my own bodily drawbacks (I’m a cancer survivor, so i have lung and stamina drawbacks) It made me realize all i really need to do is shut up and climb.
I’m based in san francisco, and, shockingly, i’ve never been to yosemite. Now it’s all i can think of doing, getting strong enough to go climb there.
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Hi Steph,
If you’re really reading this, then thank you! I am so impressed with your fantastic abilities, career and the life you’ve created!!! Congrats!
Now for my question:
I attended the University of Maryland from 2000-2004 and I heard a rumor that you had attended UMD, and had even soloed the corner of Denton (one of the high-rise freshman dorms). Is there any truth to this?
Also, if you attended UMD, where did you climb locally?
thanks!!!!
-Chris Irwin
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Hi Steph, My name is Pierce Adams. I must admit it is kinda weird emailing somebody I don’t know at all, let alone such a high profile as yourself, but whatever, we are all human. Anyway, I checked out your blog, and I had a question, concerning dogs. I recently adopted a dog, some sort of red-wolf husky hybrid. He is real pretty, but anyway, I was wondering what it is like traveling around Moab and the Creek with a dog. I have yet to make the mecca in that direction, but fall is coming and I am going. You seem to know the area and love dogs, so what’s up? Is it cool to bring ‘em along? He is fairly chill, as chill as a dog with any wolf in him can be.
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Hello Stéf’.
Sincèrement bravo, les vidéos sont géniales, la grimpe est fluide et artistique, souvent engagée à mon gout, le placement des Friends naturel et presque trop facile.

C’est quand que vous venez dans ma chère est très belle ile grimper?, nos falaises non pas l’ampleur du Yosemite, mais il y a de quoi s’amuser et passer un très beau séjour en Corse.
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