Zofia Reych

An occasional writer and appreciator of lowball traverses. After completing a master’s degree in anthropology, I went on to pursue a traditional career path at a London PR company but the pull of the outdoors was stronger.

I moved first to Sheffield, then to Chamonix, then did a surprising two-year stint among the Bulgarian hills before finally settling in Fontainebleau.

Although I started climbing with a view to become a mountaineer, I somehow veered toward bouldering and now can usually be found wrestling pebbles in France. I believe that the still low (although improving) ratio of female participants in outdoor sports is symptomatic of lingering problems within broader society.

In September 2018 I organised the first Women’s Bouldering Festival in Fontainebleau to provide a new platform for women to connect and grow in climbing and beyond.

The Number Crunch:

• Over the last couple of years I managed to top out a few 7C boulders in Magic Wood and Fontainebleau (“Minisex” and “Welcome to Tijuana” are my favourites). Although it’s usually not the grade that drives me to a line, I am rather excited to break into the double digits in the near future.
• Number of countries I have lived in: 6