BADASS FEATURED CLIMBER

Mimi Zhang

SF Bay Area, California

As a drop-in gym-climber from the San Francisco Bay Area, I didn’t really fall in love with climbing until I spent 3 weeks in Thailand in 2014, on the sweetest limestone features above sandy beaches soaking in the sun. Climbing has been a way for me to challenge myself mentally and physically, and overcome my fear of heights.

For me, the approach is all part of the adventure. The more suffering there is, the better – I love Type 2 fun! In 2017, I left my biotech career and spent 4-months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Out on the trail, I became more grounded, I learned how to be at peace with myself. It reinvigorated my love for the outdoors, backpacking, and climbing – and most of all, allowed me to make a career change that now aligns with my health, wellness, and even climbing goals! (Peak Yogurt will be sponsoring Flash Foxy’s Women’s Climbing Festival next month in March in Bishop, CA, which means I get to play while I work!)

My favorite climbing areas are Tuolumne Meadows (trad) for its majestic alpine approaches, and epic exposure, and Red Rocks, NV (sport, trad) where it’s just a quick drive from the Vegas airport to hop on an endless array of well-bolted sticky sandstone routes that build confidence. I’ve got my sport/trad rack/rope ready to go, so hit me up for spring training and summertime trips! Have rope, will travel!