Rock climbing has become more popular throughout the years. In fact, it made its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Women in Rock Climbing
As the popularity of rock climbing grows, so does the rise in the number of incredible women breaking gender stereotypes and showing that they too can enjoy this extreme sport. Not only that, female rock climbers have been setting records in what is deemed a male-dominated world.
A Source of Inspiration
Whether you started rock climbing to have an exciting but challenging hobby or have a fun way to become more physically fit, you may now have come to love this sport. However, there are instances when it is hard to get motivated.
Fortunately, you can get inspiration from other female climbers who are crushing it. Follow them on Instagram and turn your feed into the most inspiring space.
Janja Garnbret
Nationality: Slovenian
Janja Garnbret is one of the most well-known female rock climbers. She is the first-ever female gold medalist in sport climbing at the Olympics. Her record is a testament to her ability and skills. She has participated in 35 Lead Climbing World Cup events. Of these, she had only missed the podium four times. Garnbret also became the first-ever athlete to have won all bouldering World Cup events in one season.
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Instagram: @janja_garnbret
Miho Nonaka
Nationality: Japanese
Miho Nonaka took home the silver medal in Sports Climbing in the 2020 Summer Olympics. She started climbing at the age of 9. When she was 17, she participated in her first world cup. She won a gold medal and six silver medals at the Bouldering World Cup in 2018.
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Instagram: @nonaka_miho
Ashima Shiraishi
Nationality: Japanese-American
Ashima Shiraishi is considered a climbing prodigy. Shiraishi made noise in the competitive rock climbing scene at the age of 13, which was when she became the youngest person and second female ascent of a 5.14d/5.15a route. Additionally, she was the first woman to climb a V15 boulder.
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Instagram: @ashimashiraishi
Margo Hayes
Nationality: American
Margo Hayes made history when she made the first woman ascent of a 5.15a, La Rambla in Spain. Hayes became the first female rock climber to complete the so-called 5.15a Trilogy after completing 5.15a routes Papichulo and Biographie. She has won silver in the IFSC World Youth Championships and is a part of the US National Team.
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Instagram: @margojain
Alex Puccio
Nationality: American
Alex Puccio is dubbed the most accomplished female boulderer in America. She has won two gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals in the world cup. Overall, she has ascended more than 24 boulders graded V12 (8A+) in Europe and the US. Despite getting surgery due to an injury in 2015, Puccio climbed V13 (8B) with a Free Range ascent in Boulder Canyon in the same year.
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Instagram: @alex_puccio89
Emily Harrington
Nationality: American
Emily Harrington is a five-time National champion in sport climbing. She was the first female rock climber to ascend multiple 5.14 sports climbs. Harrington was also named the first woman to free-climb the El Capitan via Golden Gate, which is the granite wall found in Yosemite National Park, in one day.
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Instagram: @emilyharrington
Shauna Coxsey
Nationality: English
Shauna Coxsey is a professional rock climber who started climbing at the age of 4. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services in the field of climbing. She has won 30 medals in the World Cup for bouldering. Coxsey made a lot of records as well, becoming the first British female climber to finish the V12, V13, and V14 grades.
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Instagram: @shaunacoxsey
Akiyo Noguchi
Nationality: Japanese
Akiyo Noguchi took home the bronze medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics for Sports Climbing. She is well-known for winning four times in the IFSC Climbing World Cup in bouldering. Noguchi has retired from competing, closing her career with 169 World Cups and World Championships.
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Instagram: @noguchi_akiyo
Angela Eiter
Nationality: Austrian
Angela Eiter started climbing when she was 11 years old. At the age of 15, she successfully climbed her first indoor 8a (5.13b). She has won three World Cups in Lead Climbing and four world championships. In 2020, she made the first ascent of Madame Ching in Imst, Austria. She suggested a 9b (5.15b) grade. Because of that, she recorded the first 5.15b ascent by a woman. It was also the hardest first ascent a woman has accomplished during that time.
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Instagram: @angyeiter
Allison Vest
Nationality: Canadian
Allison Vest is among the well-known female rock climbers on social media. She gained a following because of her satirical videos. She ranked first in Canada’s 2020 Open Boulder Nationals, 2019 Open Lead Nationals, and 2018 Open Boulder Nationals. In 2019, she finished in 10th place in the World Beach Games conducted in Doha, Qatar.
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Instagram: @allisonvest
Final Thoughts
Rock climbing is more than just an activity. It offers various benefits to both physical and mental health. However, there are times when you may lack the motivation to do what you love doing.
In such cases, it can be helpful to see some of the most inspiring women climbers on your Instagram feed. They can serve as rock climbing role models. Seeing their experiences can give you the courage to push yourself to beat your personal best.
Connect with more female rock climbers on our Instagram.
McKenzi Taylor founded Rock Climbing Women in 2013 after moving to a new city as a new climber seeking more climbing partners (and new friends!). Since her first taste of climbing in Spearfish Canyon, SD, McKenzi has been at the rock face seeking and sharing the thrill of climbing. She credits the support of a consistent climbing partner and community as the motivation to continue developing her skill, whether it’s trad, sport climbing or bouldering. A full-time business owner and mother, McKenzi’s on a mission to get her kids outside and learning to adventure alongside her.
