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Taped Up, Locked In
GENEVIVE FINDS HER FOOTING ON A CLASSIC YOSEMITE CRACK.
Credit: Scott Clark
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
GENEVIVE
CLIMBER + ROCK GUIDE (SHE/HER)
WALKER
Credit: Scott Clark
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
Genevive is a Single Pitch Instructor and Rock Guide Apprentice who has been guiding since 2019. When she started climbing in the Northeast, Genevive immediately noticed the lack of diversity in the outdoors but didn’t recognize how widespread the disparity was until she started traveling full-time.
After becoming a guide, her mission was to share her love of climbing with folks in her community in hopes of encouraging more people to get outside and reap the benefits of outdoor recreation. Genevive continues to work hard to inspire women and folks of the global majority in the outdoors through education, connection, compassion, and a whole lot of stoke.
After becoming a guide, her mission was to share her love of climbing with folks in her community in hopes of encouraging more people to get outside and reap the benefits of outdoor recreation. Genevive continues to work hard to inspire women and folks of the global majority in the outdoors through education, connection, compassion, and a whole lot of stoke.
Credit: Francois Lebeau
Location: Garden of the Gods, Colorado
Location: Garden of the Gods, Colorado
WHY DO YOU CLIMB?
Climbing helps me cope with my insecurities and anxieties by being in the moment. It helps me connect with moments of calm which helps me realize that I’m capable of being in control, even if it takes a lot of work. Climbing also helps me control unhealthy habits that I struggle with, both mentally and physically. Instead of focusing on the number on a scale, I pay more attention to how my body feels. Climbing gives me goals to focus on, especially when I get stuck in negative thought patterns and need a way to revert back to my main focus. Aside from the mental battle, I love being able to push my body through a projecting phase because you go from thinking there’s no way you’ll be able to do a route to actually doing it, which is fascinating.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO CLIMB?
The Gunks is where I first learned to climb and will always have a special place in my heart. I grew up about 20 minutes away, so being able to visit my family and climb makes this area my number one. I love the sporty trad style with tiered roofs, and the fall season provides the most beautiful scenery around.
Smashing A Yosemite Roof
YOSEMITE IS KNOWN FOR ITS SHEER VERTICAL WALLS OF TOWERING GRANITE, BUT HERE, GENEVIVE FINDS A SURFACE THAT’S PRACTICALLY PARALLEL TO THE VALLEY FLOOR.
Credit: Daniel Gajda
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Someone To Look Up To
WHEN GENEVIVE STARTED CLIMBING, SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE LACK OF DIVERSITY AT HER LOCAL CRAGS. MOTIVATED BY THE NEED FOR BIPOC CLIMBERS LIKE HERSELF TO HAVE MORE REPRESENTATION, SHE WORKED HARD TO BECOME A MENTOR AND EDUCATOR IN THE COMMUNITY.
Credit: Scott Clark
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
My Single Pitch Instructor and Rock Guide Apprentice certification are two things I’m really proud to have because it was something I didn’t think I could ever do. I knew a few guys, but no women, with the certification and was always told how difficult the course was. Because of that, I compared myself to the men who steered me away from the course and made me believe that my skills and experience weren’t up to par. After taking the course, I came to realize that my competencies far outweighed the ones I compared myself to and passed with flying colors. From that moment forward, I constantly remind myself that I am capable of a lot more than I think and to never hold myself back from taking chances.
In terms of performance, I’m proud to hold the women’s first place title in Horseshoe Hell for the last three years and take the record last year with 302 pitches in 24 hours. As a climber who didn’t grow up in the competitive circuit, it’s rewarding to not only place but set a record in an endurance based competition. Horseshoe Hell isn’t a typical competition. It’s a 24 hour based comp that’s about community, body paint, and a whole lot of fun.
In terms of performance, I’m proud to hold the women’s first place title in Horseshoe Hell for the last three years and take the record last year with 302 pitches in 24 hours. As a climber who didn’t grow up in the competitive circuit, it’s rewarding to not only place but set a record in an endurance based competition. Horseshoe Hell isn’t a typical competition. It’s a 24 hour based comp that’s about community, body paint, and a whole lot of fun.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2023 HORSESHOE HELL, 1ST PLACE OVERALL & WOMEN’S RECORD- 302 PITCHES IN 24 HOURS
- 2023 HORSESHOE HELL, 1ST IN MOST FEET CLIMBED - 12,060FT IN 24 HOURS
- 2022 HORSESHOE HELL, 1ST IN WOMEN’S CATEGORY
- 2021 HORSESHOE HELL, 1ST IN WOMEN’S CATEGORY
- 2022 BECAME A ROCK GUIDE APPRENTICE
- 2019 BECAME A SINGLE PITCH INSTRUCTOR
- V9 300, CHATTANOOGA
- 7B GORIAK, FONTAINEBLEAU
- 13B DIRTY SMELLY HIPPIE, RED RIVER GORGE
- 12A SEPARATE REALITY, YOSEMITE VALLEY
- 12A SUPPERS READY, SHAWUNGUNKS
HOW HAS YOUR JOURNEY WITH VAN-LIFE UNFOLDED?
I first moved into a Hyundai Tiburon that I built out back in 2016 and drove from New Hampshire to
Joshua Tree to start my first solo road trip out west. It was my first time doing something that big on my own, which was scary, but it gave me time to think and reflect for the first time in years. I learned a lot
about myself but mostly that I was capable of doing things on my own. Without any direction or path to
follow, I bounced around from climbing area to climbing area, made new friends (who I still see today), and made so many special memories. This was when I realized that independence doesn’t have to be lonely.
I eventually upgraded to a Honda Element, which I also built out and moved into immediately. After getting back from a three-month trip to Southeast Asia, instead of resetting life and possibly starting grad school, I hit the road for what was only supposed to be two weeks but turned into three years. Fast forward to life now, I’ve been on the road full-time with my fiance for almost four years in our Dodge Promaster, and with the money we saved while living on the road, we were able to buy our first home in Chattanooga!
I eventually upgraded to a Honda Element, which I also built out and moved into immediately. After getting back from a three-month trip to Southeast Asia, instead of resetting life and possibly starting grad school, I hit the road for what was only supposed to be two weeks but turned into three years. Fast forward to life now, I’ve been on the road full-time with my fiance for almost four years in our Dodge Promaster, and with the money we saved while living on the road, we were able to buy our first home in Chattanooga!
GENEVIVE’S FAVORITE
PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS
Women’s Rockrydge™ Pant
Women’s HiCamp™ Fleece Snap Front Jacket
Women’s Ghost Whisperer™ Pant
Women’s Ghost Whisperer™ Hoody
Always Beaming
TAKING A BREATHER AT ONE OF THE RED PINE LAKES WHILE HIKING THE NOTORIOUSLY RUGGED PFEIFFERHORN PEAK. DESPITE THIS BEING ONE OF THE MOST PHYSICALLY DEMANDING TRAILS IN LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON, GENEVIVE’S SUNNY DISPOSITION KEEPS EVERYONE’S SPIRITS HIGHER THAN THE ALTITUDE.
Credit: Francois Lebeau
Location: Wasatch Range, Utah
Location: Wasatch Range, Utah
WHAT’S SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
As much as I love climbing, I also love a night in, snuggling up on the couch watching horror movies and corny romantic comedies.
Over the years, as an athlete, I thought I needed to be outside all of the time. If I wasn’t climbing I must be doing something else active like hiking, running, or biking. And to be honest, I really don’t enjoy any of those things.
Now that I’m getting older I realize how short life can be. I should be doing things that bring me joy and happiness, and worry less about validating my persona or identity. I realized that I can still be an athlete and enjoy doing nothing once in a while. That too much of anything, whether “good” or “healthy” can be detrimental if you don't have balance.
Over the years, as an athlete, I thought I needed to be outside all of the time. If I wasn’t climbing I must be doing something else active like hiking, running, or biking. And to be honest, I really don’t enjoy any of those things.
Now that I’m getting older I realize how short life can be. I should be doing things that bring me joy and happiness, and worry less about validating my persona or identity. I realized that I can still be an athlete and enjoy doing nothing once in a while. That too much of anything, whether “good” or “healthy” can be detrimental if you don't have balance.
Credit: Clayton Herrmann
Location: Ten Sleep, Wyoming
Location: Ten Sleep, Wyoming
WHAT DO YOU STRIVE FOR AS A ROCK GUIDE?
“
I guide with the hope to inspire others to become leaders in their own circle or community. I want to share the skills that I’ve learned over the years and help others feel competent when they step outside. I started working in women-centered spaces and started to transition my focus more on BIPOC spaces. Mentorship is important when learning something new; and throughout my climbing experience, I’ve seen a huge lack of BIPOC mentors. I want to fix this by encouraging more BIPOC climbers to learn the
skills needed to safely enjoy the outdoors so that they can also become mentors in their own community.
”
Credit: Scott Clark
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
