To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re shining the spotlight on the barriers women face in climbing and the incredible women we’re proud to have in our Climbing Hangar community.
Climbing is one big, equal community. Whether you’re figuring out a tricky boulder problem or celebrating a new personal best, it’s all about movement, problem-solving, and having fun. No matter who you are.
Everyone climbs the same walls and celebrates the same victories, regardless of gender. But we also know that women may face extra hurdles in climbing. From gym culture and body confidence to periods, pregnancy, and motherhood, it isn’t always an easy ride.
That’s why we’re breaking down barriers to ensure everyone feels welcome and gets the most from their individual climbing journey.
At The Climbing Hangar, we’re leading from the front and shouting about the amazing women in our climbing community.
Challenges Women Face in Climbing
Climbing is exciting, challenging, and hugely rewarding.
But while it pushes everyone physically and mentally, women can often face extra barriers that can make the sport even tougher.
These are some the barriers women face when climbing:
The Menstrual Cycle & Performance
Your menstrual cycle can have a big impact on how you feel on the wall. Right after your period, you might feel stronger, more energized, and ready to crush. But in the days leading up to your next one, things can feel tougher.
Fatigue, muscle weakness, and bloating can make climbing harder, while cramps and headaches can mess with your focus.
Mood changes might also affect motivation, and increased joint laxity means a higher risk of injury. It’s really useful to know how the menstrual cycle can affect climbing performance.
A Sport Traditionally Dominated by Men
Historically, climbing has been a male-dominated sport, with fewer women participating as climbers, coaches, or mentors.
In 2017, women made up 29% of regular independent climbers in the UK. By 2019, that number had increased to 33%, showing steady growth in female participation. A 2020 survey also revealed that 24.6% of climbers and boulderers were female, highlighting the growing interest among women in the sport.
The positive shift is not only happening among participants but is also becoming evident in leadership roles, too. The number of women coaching in Olympic and Paralympic sports in the UK has nearly doubled since the Tokyo 2020 Games, rising from 10% to 20%.
A lot has been done to grow the participation of women in the sport, and in the UK, none better than the Women’s Climbing Symposium. Celebrating 14 years, the Women's Climbing Symposium unites climbers with diverse speakers and coaches, making it innovative and empowering for the women’s climbing community.
Historically, less female climbing role models
There have always been great female role models in climbing, but in the past there were far fewer than men. This is changing, and now there are more inspiring women in climbing than ever before.
In 1970, Grace Hoeman and Arlene Blum led the first all-women's expedition to attempt a summit of Denali, North America's tallest peak. This groundbreaking trek challenged the belief that women weren’t strong enough for high-altitude climbing.
More recently, climbers like Sasha DiGiulian have continued to break barriers. She became the first woman to scale Bellavista in the Dolomites (Italy), a 5.14b big wall, proving that women can dominate not just in sport climbing but also in big wall climbing.
Today, women are leading the charge in competition climbing as well. Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret, widely considered one of the greatest climbers of all time, has won multiple World Championships and back-to-back gold at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics in 2020 and 2024.
Oriane Bertone and Zélia Avezou from France are rising stars in bouldering, pushing the limits on the international stage. In the U.S., Brooke Raboutou has been a powerhouse in both lead and bouldering competitions, while Natalia Grossman has dominated bouldering World Cups.
Japan continues to produce top female climbers like Miho Nonaka and Ai Mori, who are consistently making podiums in major competitions.
The future of women’s climbing is incredibly bright!
Climbing Through Pregnancy & Motherhood
Pregnancy and motherhood are important to many women but going on that new adventure doesn't mean you have to leave your love of climbing behind.
Thankfully there are some wonderful role models in the world of climbing who show that climbing can remain an important and enjoyable part of their lives even in motherhood.
Climbers like Shauna Coxsey, Alex Puccio, Emily Harrington, and Hazel Findlay have shared their journeys of staying strong through pregnancy and beyond.
Getting Unwanted Advice – Beta Spraying
Climbing is all about having fun and solving problems. Part of the enjoyment of climbing is figuring out the moves yourself. But when someone gives unsolicited beta (or "beta spraying"), it takes away that challenge.
If someone hasn’t asked for advice, don’t jump in, it can mess with their flow and the way they want to solve the problem.
Women typically get beta sprayed more because some people wrongly assume they need extra help. But that’s not true!
If you see someone struggling, it’s fine to ask if they want help. Just remember, their gender shouldn’t matter.
Confidence & Body Image
Climbing isn’t about looking a certain way; it’s about feeling strong and pushing your limits. But society often focuses too much on appearance instead of what your body can do. Social media shows lots of women crushing it, but it can also make you compare yourself to others in unhelpful ways.
You might see posts about having the "perfect" body for climbing, but the truth is, anyone can send a climb with the right mindset and training.
This focus on appearance can be a big barrier for women, making them feel like they don’t fit the "climber" image or aren’t strong enough to start. But building confidence is just as important as building strength.
Whether you’re working on your first V2 or trying a harder bloc, it’s about trusting your body and your abilities. Climbing is for everyone, no matter what your body shape!
The Climbing Hangar – Women in Profile
Now’s our chance to shine a spotlight on some of the mighty women flying the flag for The Climbing Hangar and the world of climbing.
Shauna Coxsey
For anyone who follows comp climbing, Shauna Coxsey's legendary status is undeniable, and we're thrilled she's a Hangar Ambassador.
Her list of achievements is huge but here are some highlights:
- One of Britain’s most successful competitive climbers ever.
- First GB Olympic climber (2020 Tokyo Olympics).
- Two-time IFSC World Cup winner.
- One of only four women to climb an 8B+ boulder.
Shauna has retired from competition climbing and shares how she combines climbing and motherhood through her Instagram profile which has almost half a million followers.
She shares her experiences, tips and insights in this Climbing Hangar, Women Rock profile.
Hot on the heels of Shauna are Erin McNeice and Molly Thompson Smith, who both had electric performances for team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Shauna, Erin & Molly will all feature in this weekend's Women's Climbing Symposium, at TCH Sheffield.
Tara Hayes
Tara is a routesetter at our very own TCH Sheffield. She’s an accomplished climber and transitioned from a successful competitive career to focus on outdoor rock climbing, recently achieving her first 8B boulder. She placed second at the Youth World Championships having started her climbing journey at age 8.
Tara's 18-year journey reflects a passion for both the physical and mental challenges of the sport, alongside a love for the climbing community.
You can read all about Tara in her Women Rock article for The Climbing Hangar.
Louise Flockhart
Louise Flockhart is one to watch in the UK climbing scene. A GB Climbing Team member in both bouldering and lead, she’s already making a name for herself with impressive competition results and a big goal in sight—the LA 2028 Olympics.
Louise is also a Climbing Hangar ambassador, which we love!
Louise started climbing at just 8 years old in local kids’ classes, quickly progressing to the Scottish Youth Team and then the GB Junior Team by fifteen.
For her, climbing isn’t just about competitions, it’s about the challenge, the variety of movement, and the strong community that makes the sport so special.
With 12 years of dedication, she knows that consistency and enjoyment are key to success. She believes in pushing personal limits, growing with each climb, and most importantly, having fun.
Her advice to female climbers?
“Climbing is all about personal growth and challenging yourself. No one is judging you for falling off, they are admiring your ability to try hard climbs! Find yourself a good community and just have fun!”
Read all about Louise in her Women Rock profile.
Hannah Morris
Hannah is a climbing YouTuber. She’s played an important role in growing the UK climbing community, both online and in gyms across the country.
She runs the largest female-led climbing YouTube channel in the UK, Hannah Morris Bouldering, where she shares the ups and downs of the sport and encourages others to get involved. Since starting her climbing journey in 2013, she’s seen how climbing can be just as important for mental well-being as it is for physical strength.
Through her videos and in-person events, Hannah has helped build a more welcoming and supportive space, especially for women in climbing. Hannah believes in the power of community and wants everyone to feel confident pushing their limits, no matter what their level.
Whether it’s through sharing beta, celebrating small wins, or simply creating a space where people feel they belong, Hannah is making climbing more accessible for everyone.
Here's what Hannah has to say about the power of climbing.
“I hope my platform is a space that empowers women with self-belief and the confidence to enjoy their own climbing journey on their terms.”
Jess Barrett
Jess brings a unique touch to routesetting at The Climbing Hangar London. She crafts technical boulders and is known for creating problems that focus on flow and precision over raw power.
Jess likes to weave high-level techniques into lower-grade climbs, to help climbers build skills while keeping things fun and accessible.
Routesetting still tends to be dominated by more men than women, so Jess is a positive influence and role model for others looking to break into the field.
Her work is shaping not just the walls at TCH, but also the future of routesetting itself.
For more inspiration, check out our video of how Jess became a route setter (and why).
These are just some of the amazing women in our climbing community.
But The Climbing Hangar also has a powerful female representation behind the scenes, helping to bring the absolute best bouldering experience to climbers all over the UK.
We’re proud to have female General Managers running our gyms in Edinburgh, Plymouth, and Swansea, plus incredible women leading the way at Hangar HQ, like CFO Hannah & Marketing Director Nicky.
Climbing is Stronger with Women in it
Women in climbing aren’t just overcoming barriers; they’re changing the game. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating every woman who pulls on her climbing shoes, chalks up, and gets on the wall.
Check out your nearest Hangar gym's 'Hangar Women Rock' session to find your climbing tribe.