MID WIFER YC ARE

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To learn moreortomeetour midwives, visit EssentiaHealth.org/services/midwifery/ and decided to give the sport another try. This time, it stuck, and Hardel has been a consistent climber for about six years.

Having climbed with both men and women, Hardel has noticed differences in how people climb based on their body type and strengths.

For example, Hardel is much shorter than her husband, which can be a disadvantage on some routes. However, she is much more flexible, which is helpful when climbing. She also has smaller hands and feet, which allow her to use smaller handholds.

These differences affect how people climb, so while men may choose routes that depend on their strength and height, women tend to choose routes that rely on flexibility and balance.

It’s like a puzzle that you have to figure out,” Hardel said. “It’s mentally engaging, which is something that I really like about sports; there’s always room to be better, to either climb more efficiently or climb harder.”

Like many climbers, Hardel has sought out cliffs across the country. She worked a few summers in Colorado, and has visited the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, Ten Sleep Canyon in Wyoming, Red Rock Canyon in Nevada, and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The North Shore is also a hot spot for climbing — Palisade Head and Shovel Point in particular — but there are a number of lesser known cliffs that Hardel also enjoys.

VertiGals continues to host climb nights the second Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at Vertical Endeavors, though they have been on a temporary hiatus due to the COVID19 pandemic. The group also facilitates yoga for climbers at Runa Yoga in Duluth and plans a couple outdoor climbing events each summer.

A typical climb night usually draws about 10-15 people, and while there is certainly a core group of participants, there is almost always someone who is new to the group. Skill levels vary widely, so those with more experience are able to help those who are newer to the sport or who are climbing for the first time.

“You don’t have to be a climber to come,” Hardel said. “If you’re interested in trying climbing or you’ve done it a few times, or you’ve done it for years and years, it is a group and a space for anybody who wants to try, or who wants to continue developing their skills, or even help other people develop their skills.”

The VertiGals board of 10 people also meets monthly, and they have recently incorporated a subcommittee on diversity and inclusion to better support all genders, Black, Indigenous and people of color, and all people underrepresented in the sport and community.

For Hardel, it is not the climb itself that keeps her coming back to the wall, but the perspective she gains from it.

“I think that it’s very rewarding to challenge myself to do something that is scary for me to do, and then to realize that it was OK and I did it,” she said. “I feel like I can recognize personal growth through climbing, as I can climb harder things or taller things or be less afraid as I am climbing to higher heights.”

Those who wish to get involved with the North Shore VertiGals can follow them on social media and sign up for their newsletter at northshorevertigals.wordpress.com.

Health Ser Vicesfor Every Woman

Dr.Thornton received hermedical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine,completed herresidency at Emor yUniversit yHospital,and ran herown practice in Atlanta beforejoining CMH.

Sp ec ia lT ie S in :

•Minimally-invasivesurgery

•Menopausa lmanagement.

•Managementoffibroidsand pelv ic masses.

•Premenstrual disorders.

•Infertility,abnormal bleeding, andother fema le health issues.