Lisa as intermediate student

Lisa joined the intermediate climbing class in 2005. She was introduced to the wacky shenanigans of intermediate field trips, and fit in quite nicely! Here's the fire at Leavenworth Cinco de Mayo in 2005, with a new cast of characters (see who else you recognize):

Lisa joined the 2005 Ice 1 field trip, where we gathered for appetizers with the whole class:

And here is Lisa at the top of her very first ice climb, on the Flett Glacier at Mt. Rainier National Park in August 2005:

I distinctly remember instructing at this field trip and noting the differences between how women and men communicate about climbing. I'd ask each student "how ya doin'?" to get a read on them as we climbed the Flett Glacier in front of Observation Rock. The men would usually respond with one word "Fine." Often with a little twinge of fear as their voices cracked a little. It happens to all of us on our first ice climb!

But Lisa gave a different response that went something like this:

Mindy - How ya doin'?

Lisa - Pretty good. Well, my left heel is coming up a little inside my boot and my crampon feels a little funky. I guess I should have tightened my laces before I put on my crampons and gaiters. So that's not great. But my right crampon is solid and I know I can stand on one foot just fine. I'm overgripping on my right tool and my hand is getting tired. I can't get my left tool to plant at all. I think I need to work on my grip strength in my left hand when I get back. This is fun! What a view! The pickets are going in quite nicely. What's it like on top where we set up our anchors?

Mindy - :) Lisa, you're doing just fine.

And for those of you who climbed with Lisa, you'll hear her voice pouring out those words in rapid fire succession.

-- Mindy Roberts