Christina DeStefano: Texas Lady Crusher's Member Spotlight

Name: Christina DeStefano

Origin: Raleigh, North Carolina Current Location: Austin, TX

Favorite Type of Climbing: Sport Climbing

Favorite Parks: Reimers Ranch and Hamilton Pool are Christina’s favorite state parks. “They don’t look like they belong in Texas, but it’s an accessible refuge” she says. The TxLC agree!

Christina first got into climbing when she was 19 years old. She spent a summer in California and worked downtown at a Pinkberry. (YUM!) Close by, there was a climbing gym and she decided to take an intro course. Christina then became a regular at the gym, and soon enough, the staff asked her when she’d be getting her own gear. Once she returned to North Carolina for college, she found a climbing partner and started climbing multiple times each week.

Christina's favorite place to climb is Ouray, Colorado. However, her fondest memory of climbing outside was after she learned how to lead climb. She went out with two of her friends, Nick and Dalton to lead climb at Reimers. It was gross out that morning, and most of the rock was wet from drizzling earlier that day. They went to Sunshine Roof which was a mostly covered 5.9. “I remember climbing up the crack which was filled with calcite pebbles. It felt like a whole bunch of ballpoint pins on my hands until I got to the next clip, a reach back with a clean fall. I struggled to get around the roof, but found a solid side pull. Once I got over, I panicked a for a minute trying to find the next bolt and realized it was right in front of me!"

Climbing has challenged Christina’s sense of fearlessness. She’s gotten out of her comfort zone because of climbing and it’s given her the confidence to take solo trips, and try new sports. Each time she tries to project something, even if it’s not that high off the ground, there is still that fear of falling. “You have to get past that”, she says.

Christina's advice to new climbers is to seek out the community. She recommends joining Facebook groups, meet-ups, and going to different gyms. Climbing is a social sport and it helps to surround yourself with positive people who have a high stoke.

"You never know when you need someone to yell up some words of encouragement. Climbing is a sport where people are invested in your success, no matter what. Saunas and shiny amenities cannot replace community.” We cannot agree more, Christina!