Brigitte Le Vea: Texas Lady Crusher's Member Spotlight

Name: Brigitte Le Vea

Current Location: Austin, Texas

Favorite Type of Climbing: Sport climbing, and she is working towards conquering her fear of bouldering.

Favorite Parks: Yosemite, Zion, Glacier, Olympics - It’s really hard for her to chose. Brigitte has lived in 6 different National Parks and they are all so different and beautiful in so many different ways. Yosemite was the first place that she moved away to, so it will always have her heart.

Brigitte's first introduction to outdoor climbing was in Southwest Utah, and that is where she fell in love with the sport. She says that climbing has changed how she approaches things. Brigitte says it is so easy to look at problems from a distance and think that you cannot possibly attain your goal. Once you gain the courage to take that first step, that’s all it takes, and from there you can take it one step at a time. Climbing has allowed her to gain confidence in her ability to tackle problems in a more calm manner.

Brigitte says that climbing makes her feel more in touch with her body, and that we do not know what we are truly capable of. Brigitte often hears from people that they don’t think that they can climb because they have no upper body strength, and while strength may be a factor, there are so many other elements that go in to climbing. Climbing is like dancing on rock, twisting and pulling and pushing and contorting your body in ways you never knew you could. Brigitte's advice to new climbers is to get out of your head, set aside your fear, and just do it!

Brigitte has been moving around various National Parks for the last seven years, so she cannot imagine her life without backpacking and hiking. Last year, Brigitte and her friends went on a 64-mile backpacking trip throughout Glacier National Park and it was truly incredible. She said each new campsite was better than the last.

Brigitte says she feels most complete when she is tramping through the mountains. She has also picked up biking, mostly road biking, but would like to work her way towards road biking. In addition to climbing and hiking, Brigitte loves playing volleyball and softball recreationally.