Ripping big lines in the backcountry, making hero moves on the big wall, swinging sharp axes on vertical ice; most of us get psyched just thinking about these activities. When you envision a master of these kinds of sports, who are you picturing? Several years ago, many of you might have imagined someone big, burly, strong and who was probably a man. With a lack of female athletes, mentors, and accessibility, the outdoor world was, for a long time, dominated by men. Thanks to the progression of our culture and our industry, the stereotype of just who can be a badass in the mountains has drastically changed. We now have women only guiding companies, courses, trips, movies, and brands that have been created to support women and their dreams of working and playing in the mountains.

Chicks Climbing & Skiing is one organization close to our heart, that was founded to empower more women through outdoor education programs. They actually offered the first EVER women’s ice climbing programs in Ouray, Colorado. Two of the five experienced guides who now own Chicks, are SCARPA sponsored athletes Angela Hawse and Kitty Calhoun. Last month, I had the amazing opportunity to attend their Avalanche Rescue Course, and came away from it with a much greater understanding of why this type of instruction is undeniably valuable for women seeking confidence outdoors.

Taught by Amy Pertuz and Angela Hawse, this 1-day course was designed to prepare us, the students, to be competent members of any winter backcountry outing. We were to learn the skills needed to have confidence using our avalanche rescue equipment and the framework necessary for sound decision-making in the event of an avalanche incident. All of those things were certainly accomplished, using the perfect combination of expert classroom instruction paired with outdoor field training. In the classroom Angela and Amy filled our minds with their extensive knowledge on what to bring into the backcountry, insider hacks for gear fails and injury management, the best resources for up to date information on snow conditions, and professional level insights on decision making. From the classroom, we ventured outside to put our newfound knowledge to use. We practiced beacon searches, shoveling methods, and probing technique. We worked through group communication issues, double burial scenarios, and how to refine the rescue process to its’ utmost efficiency.

It’s pretty apparent from the instruction and skills practice that this avalanche rescue course accomplished its’ goal of preparing the attendees for safe backcountry travel and rescue. What might not be so easy to see is that it did so in a uniquely supportive environment, unique because the class was entirely made up of women. We all know how it feels to be out of your comfort zone, because being a beginner at anything is uncomfortable. It’s hard to ask questions when you don’t know what to ask or when you think you should know the answer to something that you actually don’t. Most of us have all been in a room full of fellow outdoor enthusiasts and thought…I have to be the slowest, weakest, “worst at whatever thing” person in this room. It’s not the best feeling and it definitely doesn’t create an open space for us to learn and grow. Being among all women breaks down a lot of those feelings and perceptions that you aren’t exactly where you’re supposed to be. For whatever reason, we feel calmer, safer and more willing to try, fail, and try again when we are among other women who “just get it.” This is exactly why Chicks and other similar organizations have become so successful at attracting more women to the outdoors. All of these sports seem so much more attainable when you can learn how to do them alongside others with whom you identify.

We want to send our sincere thanks out to Chicks Climbing & Skiing for providing support, stoke, camaraderie, and a path to success for female climbers, alpinists, skiers, and riders for 20 years! We will be celebrating this monumental anniversary with them next week at the Ouray Ice Festival. If you’re in town for the big event join us on Friday, January 25 from 7:30-10:30 at the Ouray Community Center, hope to see you there!

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