Moab women's clinic

Story and photos: Steph Davis

By KAVU

July 9^th, 2019

April is always a pretty volatile month for weather in Moab and it’s a little unnerving to put an outdoor event on the calendar, so I’m always more than a little nervous about my spring climbing clinics.

And I was more than a little thankful for the good weather we had for the Moab Women’s Clinic this season!

With a motivated and fun group of climbers, all with different experience levels and interests, we were able to climb at some of the best spots around Moab, starting with face climbing (the most familiar style), and then moving into crack climbing.

Instructor Mary Harlan deployed herself as a crack simulator to make sure everyone got the feel of hand and foot jams before plunging straight into vertical cracks.

We also dedicated time to safety tactics and anchor skills, as well as learning some knots and techniques to help in preventing the most common accidents, and getting yourself out of a pinch that you may find yourself in.

Instructor Maggie Nielson came up with a creative system to use herself as an “injured climber” while instructing two people separately on how to rig and carry out a self rescue: can’t beat the two for one!

I’m really lucky to have Mary and Maggie as part of my team!

One of my favorite parts of the women’s clinic nowadays is the time we spend talking about our shared experiences in climbing, things like confidence, goals, fear and community, and also sharing some of the spots that make this place home—like my friend Helene’s vegan food truck which quickly became base camp for the clinic after our first dinner there.

I couldn’t have enjoyed this one more! Early registration is starting soon for both the Indian Creek Crack Clinic and the Moab Women’s Clinic, so get in touch if you’re interesting in coming this October! https://stephdavis.co/blog/clinics/