Beth Rodden redpointed Meltdown (5.14c) in Yosemite in 2008, a 70-foot fingertips crack that was the hardest pitch in the Valley at the time and the hardest trad route ever established by a woman. In 1998, she became the youngest woman to climb 5.14a with To Bolt Or Not To Be. She and Tommy Caldwell completed the first free ascent of Lurking Fear on El Capitan (2000) and a free ascent of The Nose (2005). She survived a kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan in 2000. Her memoir A Light Through the Cracks was published in 2024.
BlueWater
Product description
Family-owned American rope manufacturer based in Carrollton, Georgia, tracing roots to a textile company founded in 1903. Produces dynamic single climbing ropes, half ropes, and static ropes for caving and rescue. Among the first manufacturers to produce dynamic climbing rope in the United States.
Connection note
La Sportiva
Product description
Flat, lace-up all-day trad and multi-pitch shoe on a low-asymmetry last. The Eco version uses La Sportiva's recycled rubber (4mm) and biodegradable ECO leather tanned without heavy metals. Full-length 1.1mm LaspoFlex midsole provides support for crack climbing and long routes. A long-standing benchmark for comfortable all-day crack climbing.
Connection note
Know something Beth Rodden uses that's not listed?
Log in to submitLast updated March 12, 2026
Metolius
Product description
Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer of trad climbing protection, with a line spanning cams (Master Cam, TCU, Power Cam, SuperCam, Offset, Fat Cam), passive nuts, and accessories. Cams use a higher cam angle than most competitors, trading range for better rock contact and holding power. The Ultralight series covers crack sizes from 0.34" up to 4.67".
Connection note
Osprey
Product description
Osprey's Mutant series covers alpine and climbing packs in 22, 38, and 52-liter capacities. Mutant 38 weighs 2 lbs 8.3 oz handling loads up to 40 lbs with removable lid for summit-push weight reduction. Streamlined profile for technical terrain in rock, alpine, and ski mountaineering.
Connection note