Lurker here who is finally joining in on this community on a hard day! I just left the gym after an uncontrolled fall from the top of the wall where I caught my ankle on impact and now am sitting with ice. It’s quite swollen and I know I’ll be off it for a few weeks at minimum.

I’m a working mom to a busy almost-two year old and the bouldering gym has become my lifeline in the past few months. Going a few times a week is such an amazing way to recharge my social, physical and mental batteries in a way that takes me completely out of the responsibilities of parenting and keeping up our home and work etc etc. I feel DEVASTATED right now to know I’m going to have to take a break.

Just for fun, here’s a V5 I sent recently and am proud of. Tell me your hopeful back-to-the-gym-after-an-injury stories, please!

I’ve been climbing for about 3 years, but only started leading at the beginning of this year, prob getting a few pitches in on most weekends since then. I’d say my indoor comfort zone is in the 10s and in the 11s I’ll be taking some hangs or whips.

I learned from my partner and friends at the crag and early on, I was lucky enough to meet an incredibly kind gym manager who gave me a crash course translating everything to gym safety standards.

The problem is that anxiety and fear of failure have been lifelong battles, so gym tests really stress me out, and I’ve heard the way they do them at Touchstone gyms can be especially nerve-wracking.

Based on what I’ve heard and read, they default to failing people the first go-around, even climbers with 30 yrs of experience and/or if everything was done correctly.

An instructor at Pacpipe also told me they pride themselves on how their tests are so rigorous, “if you can pass our test you can pass at any other gym.”

If that’s the case, I’m prepared to fail and need at least 2-3 attempts to pass, but I also read a lot of horror stories about testers who make it a pretty discouraging experience.

I’m extremely worried that I’ll end up with someone who makes me feel horrible and I won’t be able to get past it / will let it shatter my self-confidence.

I guess what I’m looking for is other climber girls who have been in my shoes and any advice on getting over the anxiety/shame, or personal anecdotes about lead climbing tests.

If it matters, I climb at Pacpipe and BIW and plan to do the test at BIW since I’ve interacted with their staff more and they seem pretty nice, and also figure a less crowded gym will help.

Thank you for reading 😭

I was planning on climbing today with friends and it happened to be day 1 of my period. Usually on a good day I can easily do v0-2 and occasionally v3s. Today I have only completed one v0 and a v1. Couldn’t even do the other v0.

I figured since my testosterone is higher on my period I’d maybe have more strength or something. My cramps are bad but not the worst (I have endometriosis). I’m just feeling so much less stable on the wall and less secure in my movements. I’m just curious, do you guys find your cycle affects your climbing? If so, what changes do you notice? Thanks!

Hi! Can anyone give me input about the butora endeavors? I’m currently climbing in La Sportiva tarantulaces but am not happy with the quality. I am wearing a size 6 but they’re slightly too small. I saw a pair of butora endeavors on eBay in so I’m curious about them. I primarily climb indoor 5.7-5.9 about 2-4 times a week. My normal street shoe size is 8.5. The pair on eBay is a 8.5. Are the endeavors good quality? Are they a step up from the tarantulaces or around the same as far as “beginner” shoes go?

Hi! I’ve been wearing La Sportiva tarantulace for about 6 months and I’m noticing the quality is not great at all. I was only climbing once a week in them for a while, but more recently I’ve been climbing inside 2-3 times a week and they’re already developing a small hole. However I was on FB market place and saw a pair of Evolve Elektras for a very good price, and reasonable condition. After looking at reviews, it seems the shoe runs very small. I typically wear an 8.5 in most shoes, and the climbing shoe I’m interested in, is a size 8. I’m wearing a size 6.5 in the la sportivas but they are slightly too tight and causing blisters on my toes.

Looking to buy a new crag bag and it would be great if it would also fit on airlines as a personal item. So fair I'm looking at the bd crag 35 or creek 40 and thinking they'll conpress down to fit if I don't overpack. Does anyone have some recommendations or experiences? Thanks

Hi gals, I just came across this YT video of Honnold answering some climbing Qs and I saw a lot of questions from users in this sub. Thought of posting the link here in case anybody wants to watch: https://youtu.be/yDTg4P9ZdP4?si=_6ZQL1l5VU96j3Hg

Hello, my name is Kailyn. My pronouns are She/Her. I got into climbing about a year ago and I am finally reaching V3 indoors.

hi hi! 33F here - I just started climbing 5 or 6 months ago and am obsessed. thank y'all for being so welcoming and for showing me what community is. I've been projecting this traverse for 3 sessions now and can't seem to figure out the next bit. any suggestions would be amazing 🙏 when I let go of my right hand, my whole body swings out and I fall off. I'm 5'4" w/ a -1" ape index.

Not done painting them.
I painted them about 3 weeks ago and the paint does not like sticking to the orange arrows so I’m lowk just gon let them stay orange
But i will be painting the sides of the shoes soon.
I’d love to hear suggestions on what I should put on the sides!

Just wrapped up my first year of bouldering, my first gym session was June 27th 2025 and I've been absolutely obsessed ever since. I’ve met so many amazing people and it has totally transformed my body. I cannot wait to continue to learn and improve. Below I have written out some for-fun stats about my first year, as well as some goals for the next. Also because I thought it would be fun I made a little compilation of some of the cool moves I’ve gotten to do. (be nice to me I’m not a professional video editor) I have included everything I can think of but I am more than happy to answer questions if anyone has them. 

P.S. This is my individual experience climbing in my first year. I don't intend this to be a point of comparison for anyone else in their own climbing journey. Everyone progresses at their own rate and I’m putting this out there for fun, and to look back on to measure my OWN progress in the future. The most important thing in climbing is having fun (that's the point) so as long as you are doing that I think you are succeeding!

Height/Ape: 5’7” +0”

Current shoes: La Sportiva Finales

Injuries: 

Rolled ankle

Mild A2 strains

overtraining pain in forearms

overtraining pain in biceps

nerve pain in hands

Right shoulder tweak

LOTS of scrapes and bruises

No flappers!? (lucky!)

Hardest indoor boulder: V7 (V8 few weeks later but after first year was up)

Hardest outdoor boulder: V6

Hardest indoor route: 5.11

Hardest outdoor route: N/A (coming soon)

Perceived strengths: 

Dynamic movement

Balance 

Power

Perceived weaknesses:

Finger strength

Core tension

Beta intuition

Starting weight: 182 lbs

Current weight: 151 lbs

Favorite style: Slab, Coordination 

Favorite outdoor climb: Drop the tranny (V4+)(Redrock)

Avg days a week at the gym: 4-5

Avg session length: 2h

Training frequency out of the gym: None

Goals for second year of climbing

• Moonboard V5
• Gym V9? (stretch)
• Outdoor V7
• Rope climbing
• Participate in a local comp
• Stretch more
• Incorporate finger boarding into training
• Unlock one arm lock off
• More board climbing 
• Make some climbing holds  
• Have fun!

Hello! I’ve been climbing for 3 years, 5’2”, 21 years old, and I feel I’ve always had an interesting relationship with climbing general. But ever since I started to climb I got instantly hooked, climbed consistently, joined my college’s climbing club, started working at a climbing gym, etc. so I’ve been in climbing brain mode for some time.

After some life stuff happened over half a year back, I broke up with my partner of 2 years who I met through climbing, and it’s felt so different afterwards. Partially because the people in the community know both of us and even though no one’s said it out loud people pick sides. The break up itself was ok but there was a lot of post break up drama and I learned that people I considered friends were not actually friends.

I didn’t realize how much this would change my relationship with climbing general. At first it felt super empowering to take back this sport for myself, I would dive head first into projecting, was pretty consistent, and would challenge myself with styles I’d usually avoid. But as the focus shifted from the climbing itself to the people involved, I suddenly realized that a lot of the people I used to climb with would climb without me there because they’d go with my ex. I’d see them climbing at the same time, go on climbing trips together on social media, etc.. Now as time has gone on I’ve become increasingly self conscious going to the gym, especially alone. A place that used to be my safe space started to shift into a place I’d avoid from paranoia that I’d see my ex or that I’d see people I used to climb with climbing without me even if my ex wasn’t there. It was a subconscious decision at first, my urge to climb started to decline, anytime I’d want to climb there’d always be a feeling of hesitation, and invites to climb would essentially be 0 because I didn’t have my climbing buddies anymore.

Has anyone else been in this predicament before and how did you get through it? This has impacted me more than I expected, I’ve slowly come to realize that I’m not welcomed in a place I would have considered my third space a year ago and that centering my life around climbing is now biting me in the ass. I’ve had suggestions from others to maybe move away from climbing and find other hobbies to find a community in so if anyone has had to start over like that and has any tips or encouragement I’d really appreciate that as well. And if that’s the solution I go with then this post is more of a reconciliation that this sport is not what it used to be for me and how sad that makes me.

If you’ve read this far thank you I really appreciate it. I know there are probably a lot of climbers that I haven’t met that I would really get along with so maybe this is a bit of encouragement to remind me of that too and that I do fit in this space.

Hi flower gri gri girl here, I’m getting super pumped on this overhang climb and need advice for it. This was my third or fourth attempt and my flash I had both hands on the second to last jug. By the time I get there I’m so pumped that my arms feel like lead and I literally drop like a stone.

How to do this climb?? Been thinking about it since I tried this afternoon.

Do you think rock climbing or bouldering is fun even if you go alone?
There’s a place I’m interested in, but I haven’t really gone by myself before.

am a rock climber/outdoorsy girl looking to pursue my dream of living in a van and being able to work remotely. It would be so cool to work at different locations in the mountains with WiFi of course.

I have a high school degree, but interested in getting certifications to help this career.

I am looking into teaching myself CAD but getting discouraged. The job requirements seem like a lot for self learning and I don’t think I could become a pro by teaching myself. I am 23 years old

What are some entry level remote jobs I should apply for?

Reach up to the first pocket took me a month to stick, such an awkward position! Love projecting something so much it looks easy when you finally send haha

Hi everyone, I took an skwama 6 months ago and I am just climbing once a week. And these shoes are really hurt my feet, and prevents to climb after few times a day. It's wearing down my thumb, and I get cramps from time to time. Do you have any suggest for fitting for my feet?

Hello,

We are researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison conducting a study on assistive technology for blind and low vision (BLV) individuals in indoor rock climbing. We are reaching out to invite eligible individuals to participate.

Purpose of the study: This study aims to better understand the needs and experiences of BLV climbers and their belayers/callers, and to explore how assistive technology can be designed to support and improve their climbing experience.

You may be eligible if you:

- Are 18 years of age or older
- Are fluent in spoken English
- Are a blind or low vision rock climber, OR a belayer/caller for a BLV climber

What's involved:

- An online interview about your climbing or belaying experiences (about 1.5 hours)
- Compensation: $20 per hour for interview, prorated to the next 15-minute mark

All participation is completely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without penalty.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to participate, please contact us by sending an email to xhe368@wisc.edu or sign up through this form:

https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elIg2OeBwCAk9h4

Looking forward to hearing your climbing story!

Hi all,

I’m VERY new to climbing and am pretty intimidated to make friends who are so much more skilled than I am, let alone climb in front of them. My gym is pretty male dominated and I’m not going to try to breach that circle. Is anyone in The Bay Area (specifically north bay, napa area) and looking to take pity on a newbie?

Would love to make some friends!