We are delighted to announce that Beth Rodden will be headlining this year's Women's Climbing Symposium on Saturday 6th October at HarroWall, speaking on this year's theme #myclimbingjourney.
Beth’s climbing journey started in the flatlands of the Central Valley of California aged 14 at the local climbing gym. She soon rocketed to indoor climbing stardom, standing on the podium in National and International competitions as a teenager, but it was in the outdoors - and specifically the Yosemite Valley - that she found her true passion.
In the decade that followed she joined the legendary Lynn Hill on an expedition to Madagascar, escaped kidnappers in Kyrgyzstan, freed three routes on El Capitan and established some of the hardest routes in the world, including Meltdown (5.14c) in 2008.
After back-to-back injuries and nearly 20 years of pushing her body and the envelope of what was possible in climbing, Beth and her husband, Randy decided to start a family. Theo’s arrival in 2014 marked a new phase in Beth’s journey, with motherhood reaffirming her respect for the natural world, and the balance to be struck between climbing, sustainability, family and friends.
Beth says: "I'm so honored and excited to be part of the Women's Climbing Symposium this year! I can't wait to speak and take part in the panel discussion and hear from all the other inspiring women!"
Keep an eye on the website and social channels for further speaker and programme announcements in coming weeks.