Recently six Touchstone climbers took a trip to Joe’s Valley, a bouldering mecca located three hours south of Salt Lake City, Utah. The climbed, they camped, they crushed. All normal for a week long trip.
But THIS trip was anything but normal.This was a GIRLS TRIP.
The Touchstone Blog has been granted viewing rights to this video, along with exclusive commentary from the chix themselves. Watch the video, be amazed, and then read on to find out what happens when six girls are stuck in the desert on a rest day with nothing but a camera and a penchant for late 80’s music and lip syncing.
The ‘Chix B4 Dix’ trip idea was the brain child of Monica Aranda. “I had been feeling that my psych for climbing was low, and I wanted to get it back. So I proposed a Girls-Only trip to Joe’s Valley, and it didn’t take long until the team was assembled. During the trip psych was gained, along with hours of embarrassing footage that will now be immortalized on the internet forever,” said Aranda.
Kim Groebner, who owns the 2006 Dodge Sprinter where some initial scenes were shot, has this to say about the video. “‘Girls’ – directed, filmed and edited by Becky Alarcón – is a collaborative work exposing women’s struggle for identity within our society’s patriarchal stronghold. Inspired by the satirical theme of our girls-only climbing trip, Chix B4 Dix, we have shown that we are not merely bad-ass rock climbers. Through dance, pantomime, and the art of lip-synching we have, and will continue to, challenge the status quo.” The Touchstone Blog feels a duty to inform our readers that Ms. Groebner went to art school.
Alarcón, who directed, filmed and edited the video in under 12 hours, is no stranger to amateur video production. An impressive catalogue of her work can be found on her Vimeo Page.
It was around the campfire one night that the girls discovered their talents and decided it was their duty to make a music video. Lindsey Tjian, international supermodel and Wills of Fire mega crusher, expressed her humility at being involved in a project of such caliber.
“I knew there were lots of stars out there in the universe,” said Tjian. “But I never knew I would have the privilege of working with 5 of the best in the making of our music video.” Tjian was also responsible for the unnervingly convincing pipe cleaner and felt facial hair, along with the dragon neck tattoos that can be seen throughout the video.
The video embodied the sense of fun and camaraderie that was experienced on the trip. Lauryn Claassen, who never quite got the hang of a ‘sexy face’ reported that “Making the video was the perfect way to spend the days when our tips were shot, our muscles ached, and Kim made an amazing batch of margaritas. Too often climbing videos have too much… climbing. I’d like to see more rest day videos.”
Camille Kerr, who left a good luck charm for dude climber Kyle O’Meara at the camp site, was humbled by the experience. “As a relative newcomer to this group of ultra-burly ladies with unparalleled sex-appeal, I was naturally intimated. I realized that my contribution would not come from being the funniest or prettiest, but instead being the most willing fall flat on my face with the camera rolling. [minute 1:58] Having achieved that, I now feel like part of the crew, and I look forward to our many adventures to come. The release of this video is a proud moment for me, my mother, and every woman who has helped me get where I am today” said Kerr.
While the girls feigned flattery at the insinuation that they always travel to the desert with sparkly dressed stuffed into their duffels next to their antihydral and climbing shoes, such is not the case. The ‘girly’ attire, flannel robes, and bubbles were purchased while on a trip to the booming metropolis of Price, Utah on a rest day.
“What I loved about making this video is doing all of the silly things and acting like a complete clown,” said Alarcon. “You really have to be willing to make a complete fool of yourself knowing that people will see you in ridiculous costumes and doing ridiculous things. I can’t count how many times I was in stitches from laughter on those days when we were filming. Editing the video was very difficult for me because there were so many equally funny scenes that we had to cut since the song was so short.” [Examples deleted in the interest of a sequel] “I’ll look fondly on this video for the rest of my life and remember our awesome girls trip to Joe’s Valley and Ibex.”
All in all, the trips was a huge success. Meals were shared, projects were sent, and friendships were solidified. The girls would like to thank the following companies they wish they were sponsored by:
Organic Climbing
Verve Climbing Apparel
Dodge
Chicks Rock’n Roost
The Food Ranch
Climbing Narc
La Sportiva
Five Ten
Top Ramen
