Women Teach Women How to Climb Rocks of Fayetteville, W.Va.

Byline: Jennifer Ginsberg

May 18--FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. -- When Elaina Smith learned to rock climb 10 years ago, running into another woman on the rocks was rare. Her climbing buddies were men.

Now, she has a core group of about eight women with whom she tackles the rocks in the New River Gorge area.

Smith and her husband, Kurt, bought New River Mountain Guides in Fayetteville in March. The business has been around for 10 years.

The Smiths offer one-on-one and small group climbing classes for people at any level. They pair female students with female instructors.

The Smiths are also trying to turn more women on to climbing (between 35 percent …