Bobbi of all trades: Competitor, Writer, Mother, and Gramicci Rep
One of the best climbers in the United States, male or female, Bobbi Bensman has won 13 bouldering championships and 20 national competitions (more national titles than any other competitor) and has 165 5.13 ascents to date. Best known as a sport climber, Bobbi has also written a book, Bouldering with Bobbi Bensman.
What was your first connection to Gramicci?
In the early 80s my boyfriend Dale Bard and myself were some of the first "gear testers' for Mike Graham. Dale and Mike had done a good deal of climbing on El Cap in Yosemite and Mike gave us a bunch of pair of G-Pants. Back then, they were only black and white. Dale and I would go and buy different colors of Ritt Dye and turn the white pants purple, pink, green, yellow. Years later, the G-Pant came in colors. Finally! So, I guess I've been wearing Gramicci for 25 years. Jeez, I hate to "date myself' like that eh?
::laughs:: Well, you've been climbing for quite awhile and have achieved so much. How did you first get started?
I've been climbing since 1980, so wow, 27 years. I grew up in Scottsdale, AZ, and kids in my high school got me hooked on climbing in a big way.
Wow, 27 years! You've been climbing more years than you haven't. How do you stay motivated after so many years of climbing?
I am not sure what keeps the drive so high. It could be a personality thing, Type A? It's just part of my life, always have done it kind o'thing.
How has climbing affected your lifestyle?
Its made me a strong and confident person, risk taker, and that has affected my life in every way.
I guess so, after all that time! What words do you or have you used to describe the feeling you get from climbing?
The focus has always been what has driven me, love how it's so all-encompassing. Also love getting high off the ground and looking around, it's so beautiful.
Great, great. What are some of your favorite destinations?
Southern France, Northern Italy, Mount Lemmon, Hueco Tanks, Yosemite, Rifle.
And favorite moments in your climbing career?
Doing my first big wall in Yosemite in 1982 after climbing for only two years. Winning my first Phx. Bouldering Competition. Doing my first V9 in Hueco Tanks...
I did my first V9 in Hueco too! With so many accomplishments already, what are your future climbing goals? What are you training for?
I now have two little girls, Addison, age 6 and Morgan, age 3.5. So I am lucky to really get to train anymore. Somehow I sneak off and still climb. This year I'd like to tick off a few V7s and V8s...
Nice. What else are you up to these days?
I am wicked into endurance mountain bike racing. I've done two 100 milers, two 70 milers, and a 50 miler. Super fun just being in the backcountry on my pink Titus mountain bike for hours in the saddle. Next year I want to try a 24 Hour Solo Mountain bike race...
Wow, that's incredible! You participate in many climbing events that benefit a variety of good causes. Are there any funds or organizations that you're currently supporting that you'd like to share with us?
I have been involved in the HERA CLIMB 4 LIFE, and this year we had the first Climb in Boulder and I was the volunteer coordinator for it. My daughter Addi raised $1500 for Ovarian Cancer Research and it was so rad! I am very proud of her for that. I lost my mother two years ago to Breast Cancer and then ultimately, Lung Cancer. It was a very profound experience and I miss her terribly. She was the ultimate "Climber Mom' (Soccer Mom) and traveled all over the world with me to support my competition career. So the HERA Event is my way of giving back.
That's huge! What do you think is important for new generations of climbers to know?
Safety First!!! Learning knot skills is a must, anchor skills.
We believe that you always have to start somewhere. What would you recommend to somebody that wants to start climbing?
Taking a lesson from a certified mountaineering organization.
Great. And also, climbing and bouldering can be destructive to the environment. What do you think is important to be done to lessen the impact?
Climbers need to pack out what they pack in. That means tape and any other trash. They should always clean up trash that isn't their own as well and the best way to do that is to always have a baggie with you to clean up and bring it out of the climbing areas.
Great advice, Bobbi. Thank you for speaking with us and all the best in your climbing and biking career, as well as with your family!
Thank you!