Story by Jamie Parsell

Beauty and brains. It takes both to climb up a rock. Foot by foot, hand by hand, a woman climbs to the top of a West Virginia mountain. Above, endless blue sky stretches out, meeting the dark green of the Appalachian hills. Beauty in its sincerest form. To get to that point, a woman must use her brains, strategically placing hands and feet in the side of the mountain. She must use her muscles, strong arms and legs to propel her to the top. Sweat and exhaustion may threaten to overwhelm the climber. But sheer determination and a quiet defiance cheer her to the top — where beauty and freedom wait for the victor.

Rock climbing, an adventure sport, is typically considered a man’s domain. But Beth Gills, marketing director of Ace Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, W.Va., does not agree with that stereotype. “Women can be just as good as men at rock climbing,” said Gills, a former climber who taught climbing at the University of Virginia.

It is not a man’s world anymore. Thirteen years ago Erin Yakim, a manager and guide at Hard Rock Climbing in Fayetteville, W.Va., took up the sport. At age 25, she went climbing with some male friends.

“I fell in love with it,” Yakim said. The next day, she went out and bought her own equipment and has been climbing ever since. Around that time, other women began climbing, creating a popularity base in areas like West Virginia.

Around the New River Gorge region, women routinely meet to climb some of the area’s most beautiful backdrops. Yakim meets with a specific group of women every Thursday evening for a women’s only climb.

The lure of the outdoors tempts a majority of women to places like Ace Adventure Resort and Hard Rock Climbing. To get to a climbing site, climbers must first hike at least a half an hour to an hour. The real beauty of the sport is the variety of climbing. Want to enjoy the scenery? Take it easy. Want to challenge yourself? Push to the top.
“It is not a team sport,” Yakim said. “You are setting the bar for yourself. Everyday is something different.”

Rock climbing is not just about strength, says Yakim. It is more than strong calves and biceps; climbing creates technique and finesse. There is also a thread of confidence that runs through a woman’s body.

“Whenever you break out from your daily routine and pursue something new, confidence is reinforced. You’ll find you’ll be able to take on more challenges. It also improves your attitude,” Gills said. “You feel better about yourself, you feel stronger physically and mentally. Believe me, people will notice the change in you. Again, it’s something that affects your whole world, not just within the activity.”

After a climb, a whole new world awaits — the top of the world, West Virginia style. What can you see? Gills sees a wilderness setting, lush forests against a hard rock, wildlife and beautiful vistas. What does she feel? Freedom. Yakim experiences a sense of pride, accomplishment and plain old excitement.

Do you have to be a fitness superstar to take advantage of West Virginia’s mountains? Not really, according to both Yakim and Gills. While it is best to have a routine of physical activity, both Ace Adventure Resorts and Hard Rock Climbing offer a half-day climbing guide. According to Yakim, a half-day trip will help establish the possibility of an interest in the sport. And anyone is welcome — children as young as 6 and adults in their 70s can enjoy the beauty of rock climbing.

Beginners are supplied all the equipment, from helmets to shoes. A guide sets up the route from the bottom of the mountain to the top. A top rope system with anchors previously established or natural anchors, like trees and rocks is set up by a guide. There is no fear. While you search for a foothold, the guide takes up the slack; if you fall, you basically sit back in your harness. Gills advises women to bring sunscreen, keep hair in a ponytail, wear comfortable clothes and even bring bug repellent on the trip.

Once comfortable, a beginner can take on new challenges with full day trips. These type of trips and classes will teach climbers how to set up anchoring systems, tie knots and balaying, a technique that controls climbers with a rope. Just like any new hobby, rock climbing takes practice. And the speed of learning varies according to time, devotion and ability.

“It depends on the individual. People can have a natural ability. You can see in their movement — the way they move on the rock,” Yakim said.

Adventures, like rock climbing, bring out the beauty in strength, combined with the awe of a place like the New River Gorge. With confidence, strength and determination — the fluidity of all three working together creates a beauty that is unique to the outdoor world. P