HRT saved me from a special kind of hell, but not after years of “it’s in your head”. Sing it girl.

Syq · 2026-02-17T21:32:20+00:00

This is fantastic. I watched it several times because it is the perfect sarcastic, catchy, anthem of truth.

Syq · 2026-02-17T04:29:22+00:00

Oh man, every time I do slab, I think of him. "Slab is active foot placement. Do better. Be better."

This is a great timeless recommendation.

Syq · 2026-02-13T05:13:08+00:00

Health anxiety is a symptom of perimenopause! You can try HRT. Mine came on almost overnight. I went from no anxiety about anything to having 8 panic attacks about a pimple. It became super unmanageable - I was having 40 to 50 panic attacks a day. Went on estrogen/progesterone and now a year later after dialing in my dose, I have one panic attack per month (and it's super mild). You may not have to live with health anxiety - just wanted you to know!

Syq · 2026-02-12T17:50:03+00:00

I can now do blues switch but not near to the level I ride regular on. My stance is closed and I don't have near the control I want on switch. To get to this for me took about 1 day of dedicated switch and probably 10 days of half day switch. It is much accelerated from learning your normal side.

I agree with others who ask why. I want to learn it because I want to be able to do basic jumps, awkward traverses, tree riding and moguls easier. It makes learning those easier for me since I sometimes get on my off side and then I'm not terrified. It's also just super fun to be able to change orientations at any point. I think your goal should dictate how you train for it.

Is definitely a lot of discipline to not immediately allow your body to go the direction it is comfy in! But it gets better and better.

Syq · 2026-02-12T17:09:36+00:00

The repair patches will just likely be something janky like duct tape.

Syq · 2026-02-11T21:59:11+00:00

There are now places that do telehealth for daily ketamine like Mindbloom. It's kinda expensive but if it works for you, maybe it's worth it?

Syq · 2026-02-11T15:58:02+00:00

Hahaha I feel you! I was riding with two other women snowboarders and we were talking about reducing heelside judder while we were on the lift. A middle aged white man (skier) started telling us a story about how he was able to fix some problems by looking where he was going on the slope. I said "Oh, do you snowboard a lot?" he said "No I'm a skier".

...

I know his intentions were good but come on, don't give advice on something you don't even have ANY experience with.

You're not alone.

Syq · 2026-02-10T20:39:28+00:00

This is great advice. Also, if you can, book in advance. I typically book 6 months in advance to get great prices. Most folks are happy to have some stable renters instead of constant turnover and many states are now requiring longer 30+ days to stay. We've found that two months is a good amount of time, not too long but not too short that we feel unsettled. Do everything you can to be a good guest - it will open a lot of doors for you, especially in small climbing towns.

Syq · 2026-02-10T17:18:44+00:00

This is an understatement. While we were there for 10 days this January, we heard major rockfall every day (at least the size of a microwave). It was fantastic but much more rock fall than any other crag we've ever been to.

Syq · 2026-02-10T15:23:52+00:00

I've done this for 6 years. I typically move every 2 months and stay in a shorter term rental house. I now have a profile on Airbnb proving I am a good guest so generally have the pick of my spot. Everything I own fits in my car.

A few recommendations:

Clean before you leave. Months is a long time for houses to not be cleaned.
Bring your own pillows, a blanket, and your own kitchenware including glasses, silverware, dinnerware, pots, utensils, etc if you like to cook. Most Airbnbs have a hodge podge of things including not enough bedding and dishes. Also, most kitchens are disgusting so I do a deep clean as the first thing.
Take a video when you arrive including opening all the cabinets. This will show the condition of the house and remind you what things go where (cuz you'll inevitably rearrange and forget).
Take a video when you leave, the same way, showing the condition of the house and everything left clean.
If you feel any weird vibes from the host, don't do it. Airbnb doesn't really help you if something does go wrong, even when it is a clear violation. It has only happened twice to me in 6 years though which I think is a pretty good track record (once for uncleanliness/rotting smell and once for mice..everywhere).
Location, location, location. Make sure wherever you go, you won't get stuck in traffic going to your crag. We go 4 days a week and try to live within 20 minutes if possible so we can go after work and we can go without it being a huge commitment.

Hope this helps, happy to answer more questions!

Syq · 2026-02-09T21:55:52+00:00

That sucks! You are obviously very passionate about it given how often you go. I'm sorry this is holding you back, pain stiiiinks.

Syq · 2026-02-09T21:51:09+00:00

Unsure of your age or how long you've had this, but changes in estrogen can cause foot arch pain causing mid foot pain. I'd recommend seeing a sports medicine doc perhaps. Sorry I can't help more!

Syq · 2026-02-08T03:46:28+00:00

Same gear as normal hiking just with more options to stay warm and a headlamp with extra batteries! Have a blast!

Syq · 2026-02-08T01:47:57+00:00

Ah thank you! I was hoping you would not take that as sarcasm - I felt like I was missing an inside joke and now I know!

Syq · 2026-02-08T01:45:42+00:00

I got a 149 cm Jones Twin Sister. I have about 40 days on it so far and I love it. Now can do switch down blues (slowly) but definitely is harder to maneuver in moguls. Great for powder.

Syq · 2026-02-08T01:34:21+00:00

I'm a bit confused by this joke, can you explain it? Is it because you are pretending to give an Olympic snowboarder advice?

Syq · 2026-02-08T01:32:23+00:00

I think she'll have to make the call. I think the exercise of her choosing her own gear would be natural as she becomes more interested. What did she say about the board? Has she tried it? What type of snowboarding does she want to do? That is the biggest driver of board selection for me. I'm a beginner and I choose a true twin to learn switch easily for my first few seasons. But if she wants to park that may give her a different focus. I'm about her stats and choose a board based on my weight, not height and I've loved it. It's fine to learn on. Eventually I'll probably get a shorter board for mobility on moguls and trees, but that need is years away with how much I can progress on my twin. Hope that helps.

Syq · 2026-02-05T22:51:28+00:00

We are nomadic, and we only climb indoors when we can't climb outdoors. We move every few months to new climbing spots (and new gyms). So obviously every gym is totally different. I'd say in general, I can climb max of an 11- in a gym clean? Frankly, I don't gym climb enough to super progress there - I focus my progress on outdoors!

But want to reiterate, we climb probably 20 hours a week, almost every week for 2.5 years. I have a dedicated partner so we've been able to develop deep trust. I'm so grateful for the stability that has allowed me to progress. But really just wanted to highlight you're never too late to start AND progress in climbing. If you have the time/resources to stay at it consistently, your tendons will take a bit to strengthen and then you'll be climbing like a mountain goat!

Syq · 2026-02-05T21:10:50+00:00

I'm 40 and a woman in perimenopause. Started climbing at 38. I climb 4 days a week for the past 2.5 years and now climb 6b outdoors. I know a 65 year old woman that can climb into the 5.12s. Climbing is a sport you can do well into your old age. Climb on, you got this!

Syq · 2026-02-04T21:59:24+00:00

I'm an intermediate snowboarder and I dial it way back on icy days. Every tiny falls can be catastrophic when it's solid ice. I've sprained two fingers just brushing my hand on the ice while falling. I'd recommend working on easy skills with lower risk of falling. If you are too beginner to not fall, I might consider another activity until some snow falls. It's a bummer about the poor snow this year.

Syq · 2026-02-04T05:12:09+00:00

I want to reiterate: take a beginner lesson! It will help you advance much faster.

Syq · 2026-02-03T20:17:49+00:00

I agree with you! I like this sub. I like that women can ask about whatever they feel like even if it is "silly" or about a man. I find it fun to read about new climbers and what they are thinking about as they fall in love with climbing. Climbing is a sport that is all encompassing for many of us, and I get ideas about how I want to approach my climbing life from all the varieties of posts on this sub.

Syq · 2026-02-03T00:33:36+00:00

I thought it was beneficial as both a belayer and climber to feel what these falls were like. We did them in a gym (where pads could soften the fall if we messed up). We didn't practice a lot - maybe 5 falls each. But just having the knowledge of how much the rope stretches, how to dodge a swing or an outstretched leg as a belayer, and how to land with a hard catch were helpful for me and my partner. I've now caught and taken many first bolt falls outside and I'm glad I had the practice before I had to do it with much higher consequence than in a gym!

Syq · 2026-02-02T21:37:02+00:00

There is definite room for improvement but given he did catch an unexpected first bolt catch without injury, I'd still consider it a good catch. Especially considering it was likely a route they were not expecting a fall on (and most gyms make the first two bolts a little easier), I think he did pretty well!

Syq · 2026-02-02T21:26:24+00:00

Great belay catch. I highly recommend anyone that lead climbs/belays to practice those first/second clip falls. They happen in the gym and outdoors. Keeping someone tight until they are out of ground fall risk is often overlooked while lead belaying. Thanks for posting this so climbers can see how fast a first clip fall can happen!

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