Apr 04 2017

Paige Claassen Interview: Thoughts on Climbing, Starting a Non Profit and Having a Family

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Travel
by Beth

Paige Claassen is one of the strongest, understated climbers of her generation. For the past decade she has dispatched with some of the hardest routes in the world - and doesn't gloat about it. What's always struck me about Paige is her eye and desire to try meaningful climbs - beautiful, historical, stiff - they are always "king lines" in my opinion.   She recently got married (happy almost one year anniversary Paige!) so naturally I wanted to know when she was going to have kids...

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Mar 21 2017

Sash DiGiulian Interview: Thoughts on Climbing, Career and Having Kids

Climbing, Interviews, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

Sasah DiGuilian is one of the most influential climbers of the day, male or female. After her ascents of hard sport routes at the Red River Gorge and Spain, she shot to the top of the climbing scene. From there she's taken her passion and talent to all corners of the sport, traveling the world pioneering and establishing first ascents. She recently graduated from Columbia University allowing more time for climbing, work and travel. I've always admired how she's handled her notoriety and continued to put family and friends at...

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Aug 09 2016

Thoughts and Struggles with Pregnancy by Melissa Strong

Climbing, Interviews, Pregnancy
by Beth

I first met Melissa when I started living in Estes Park in 2000 . I'd see her hiking to and from the bouldering in Chaos Canyon, a relatively novel and new area at the time. She had a huge smile, infectious laugh and a welcoming attitude. Always one to want to climb together, open her home to people and make community. A handful of years later, she and her husband Adam opened their arms and home in Heuco Tanks to me. I was in the midst of separating from my husband. My...

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Dec 01 2015

Climbing with Kids: Hilaree O’Neill Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy, Travel
by Beth

Hilaree O'Neill is one of the most well rounded mountain athletes out there. She is the first woman to climb two 8000 meter peaks in 24 hours and has continued to push the envelope with big mountain expeditions for decades. Along with being a truly inspirational athlete, she is also the mother of two young boys. She recently returned from an expedition to Makalu, where her boys joined her on the trek to basecamp. She was super kind to do an incredible and open interview on the life of a professional...

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Nov 19 2015

Climbing Pregnant: Pregnant thoughts by Janet Wilkinson

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

I am extremely honored to share Janet's story on this blog. She has an incredible climbing resume from alpine, to big walls to boulders. She was kind enough to share her journey and thoughts about pregnancy in an incredibly open way. I hope that you draw strength and inspiration from her words as much as I have.    For several nights I tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable, until I remembered it: the u-shaped human-sized pillow passed down from one of my done-with-pregnancy friends. I’d laughed when I saw it and stuffed...

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Oct 08 2015

Climbing With Kids: Zoe Hart Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

I met Zoe Hart and her two adorable boys last fall in El Cap Meadow. I was just embarking my journey of being solo with a four month Theo in Yosemite for the next few months - nervous, anxious, excited and a little bit proud of myself. Zoe was on a long road trip across the United States with both of her kids, solo, living in a rented camper van. I was immediately amazed. Mattias was about two and a half and Mika almost a year. "How the heck is she doing it?" I...

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Aug 12 2015

Climbing With Kids: Stevie Trujillo Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

I met Stevie, Tree and their adorable daughter Soleil in the Yosemite boulders last spring. I was getting in a few minutes of mama bouldering time, when up walked this adorable little family. My first thought was, "Oh! I hope they are locals, new playmate for Theo!" But after a few minutes of conversation I learned that they we permanently on the road, 5 plus years and counting!   After a few more minutes I realized that meant they had their daughter on the road - holy smokes! So inspiring! They started...

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Apr 08 2015

Climbing With Kids: Emily Harrington Interview – Decisions About Having Kids

Climbing, Interviews, Motherhood
by Beth

Emily Harrington is one of my best friends. She also happens to be a total badass athlete and adventurer. Her profession has taken her around the world, and her resume includes big mountain ascents (Everest, Ama Dablam) and hard rock routes (first female ascents of 5.14's). As a professional climber myself, I was curious about her thoughts on starting a family with such a busy lifestyle. As a mother, I was equally curious about her thoughts on starting climbing/skiing as a kid. She was part of the generation that started...

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Mar 24 2015

Climbing with Kids: Susie Christensen Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

breastfeeding issues, and the thought of doing the Nose in a day blew my mind. Susie was kind enough to do an amazing, informative, and humble interview. I hope you all are as inspired as I am!!!After I did my interview with Jim Herson, he mentioned that I should interview his friend Susie who had just done a lactating ascent of the Nose. I was still pretty early postpartum and dealing with   Tell me a little about yourself and your history with climbing.   Let me just start off with my favorite quote...

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Nov 20 2014

Climbing With Kids: Jim Herson Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Yosemite
by Beth

For any bay area climber or climbing parent, I'm sure you are familiar with Jim Herson, Anne Smith and their awesome kiddos Kara and Connor. However, for anyone who isn't familiar with them, here's a great interview as an introduction. They can often be found in the Sierras climbing up things with multiple kids and parents in tow. They also have one of my favorite climbing blogs out there that always leaves me laughing and inspired.   I first met Jim and Anne when I was a teenager doing the local competition circuit....

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